[ i63 1 



NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



Geological EJfays. By Richard Kikwan, W^'/f^; 

 Lr^nd. andEdin. Prejuicnt of the ^e)-^ ^^^^^^ f ^f .^ ' 

 m m., and Infpcaor.Gcncral of Ins Majrfys Mmes 

 In the Kingdom of Ireland. Bremner, Sirand, 1799 = 

 8vo. 502 Pages. 



This work confifts of a Prclace, an Introduaion twelve 

 Eflavs, and a ftort paper of Notes, following the la I of the 

 ElTays. But, though its parts be thus arranged without lyl- 

 tematic connexion In the formal ftruaureof the cmnpohtion, 

 it is, in faft, as to its fubftance, one whole; ui wluch nnne- 

 raloaieal fcience is applied to explain all the appearances to 

 ^vhich It can have any relation, on the furface or u. t.e ulte- 

 rior ftrata of the earth. In the explanation ot thefe appear- 

 ances the author endeavours to afccrtain from its prelent 

 ftate what muft have been the various former changes through 

 ^vhich the matter of this globe has paflbd fince the .era at 

 which it was made fubjed to thofe laws of exUience under 

 which we now behold it. The following are the leaomg 

 truths and opinions which occur ua the fncceffive parts ol 



the work. ,. n- -i- 1 



The Preface mentions the difcovt^-y of the diamdion be- 

 tween primary and fecondary mountains, by Lehman, as one 

 of the moft hnportant events in the progrefs of geological 

 fcience; expofes the futility of the theory of iiuffon, winch 

 rcprefented all the primary mountains to have ong.nated out 

 of a Itatc of ioncous fufion ; names with ap^>laafe tho.e nni- 

 lofophers who have ful^llituted mineralogical and chcm.caj 

 mvcfti-ation for hafty conje6ture in their attempts to trace 

 the formation of the earth, and the changes wluch have hap- 

 pened in the arrangement of its (trata; profefles -the uUen- 

 • lion of this work to be, to vindicate the divme authority of 

 flevelaticm, bv proving the account given by Mofcs ot the 

 oricxin of the'terrellrial globe, to agree, in the moft remark- 

 able manner, with the fairelt indu6\ion. from the pvclait puc- 



jiomcna. ,, 'i-Ko 



