-0 ^n Inquiry into the Terrestrial Phcenomena 



erroneous; and a very moderate acquaintance with sonme of 

 the ordinary phaenonienaof the earth will afford ample con- 

 viction, that over every portion of our present existing con- 

 tinents the waters of the ocean have rolled during a period to 

 which we can assign no limit. 



Proofs of this extraordinary occurrence are abundantly 

 disseminated over every part of every country. Wherever 

 the earth has been penetrated, a succession of strata alter- 

 nating and varying, distinctly and specifically, is met with 

 under forms which unequivocally demonstrate that they have 

 all originated from aqueous deposition ; and the vast remains 

 of marine productions, so extensively distributed amongst 

 some, and in others forming whole and distinct strata, 

 equally establish, that they have had one common origin. 

 They have all in succeision been beds of the ocean. Nor has 

 any limit yet been discovered, by a^ natural or artificial 

 means of examination, to this peculiar conformation of our 

 globe. The high fronts and deep ravines and gullies of 

 mountains, the abrupt faces of precipitous valleys, shores, 

 and islands, the natural cavernous excavations and the arti- 

 ficial perforations of every description, which have been dug 

 by the avaricious cupidity or the necessary wants of man, 

 all and everv where display regularly stratified beds, generally 

 parallel with each other, but always varying in their dimen- 

 sions, density and materials, and every where exhibiting a 

 uniformity of appearance, which admits of no other expla- 

 nation than that of a slow and progressive precipitation from 

 an aqueous fluid. 



This universal prevalence of the formation of strata In 

 the interior of the earth, is again most singularly contrasted 

 by the indubitable evidence of an almost equally extensive 

 destruction of other strata on the surface. The elevated di- 

 Tection and abrupt termination of extensive strata from va- 

 rious heights, conclusively establish that they were once 

 continuous to an unknown extent. Many of our principal 

 eminences are fornu-d by strata inclined from the horizon, 

 and terminating in high angular asperities^ presenting from- 

 thence a bold precipitous face, and on the other side gentle 

 declivities of receding strata. 



The 



