358 Hints for the Formation of a Theorj of the Earth, 



36. Whether there are feveral ftrata,jOne above the other, 

 with banks or other foffils interpofed. The quahty and re- 

 lation of thefe flrata. 



37. The nature and thiclinefs of the ftrata of the earth 

 or ftones under which the coal mine is found; the ini- 

 preffions and other veftiges of organifed bodies found in 

 thefe flrata. 



37. A. How can thofe who afcribc the origin of coal to 

 forefts buried in the earth, explain the very thin flrata of 

 that foflTil contained between banks of calcareous ftones, and 

 which are repeated at different heights in the fanie moun- 

 tain? Does not this obfervation fhew that there are coal 

 which have originated alfo from fuci, algae, and other ma- 

 rine plants ? 



37. B- Ought we to fuppofe that all coals have been in a 

 ftate of folution? What is the agent which diflblved them, 

 and whrch may be called the mineralifer? 



38. Though mines of rock fait are commonly found in 

 ftrata, yet M. Fichtcl affirms, that there arc found in Trau- 

 fylvania enormous mafles of pure fait, com paft, and viithout 

 any appearance of foreign bodies. Thefe he considers as of 

 very ancient formation, and diftinguifhes them from thofe 

 which are in flrata between beds of argil and free-ftone 

 mixed with fliells. Thefe important facts defervc to be 

 thoroughly examined. 



39. To afcertain the truth of an nfTertion rnade by the 

 fame geologift, that thefe malfcs of fait are furroundcd by 

 ancient volcanoes ; and to determine whether we ought \f' 

 believe with him, that this fait has been cryflallifed by the 

 heat of thofe volcanoes which evaporated the water that held 

 them in folution. 



40. To examine, \n the lafl place, whether any of thefe 

 malTes of fait appear to have been raifed up by fubterranean 

 fires to a height greater than that at which they were at tlie 

 time of their fonu-iiion, 



41. To 



