of ihe Mineral Kingdom,” 277 
percollation of water, through the pores and cranies of the strata, 
I will not now inquire. 
Some small veins and masses of these substances, found pure 
in our rocks and strata, seem to favour the supposition of the 
strata being cemented by the insinuation of particles, and the 
extraordinary induration of some of our external rocks counte- 
nances the same idea; and I have no doubt, that the elemen- 
tary fire has a great share in producing every degree of solidity 
and induration, 
Much of the cementing matter of our rocks has more of the 
appearance of a jelly, which is hardened by degrees from an 
aqueous solution, than of being produced by the fusion of fire. 
These observations and facts make it evident to a demonstra- 
tion, that fusion by fire is not necessary for the cementing and 
induration of our rocks and strata. We have abundance of ex- 
amples in little of a contrary process; and, in truth, the compo- 
ment parts of some of our strata, the inflammable quality of 
others, and every situation and phzenomena of the strata in ge- 
neral, proves, that they have not been affected by fire. 
We see evident marks of water in the disposition, structure, 
and form, and in all the exterior and interior phenomena of the 
strata; but we see no real mark or character of fire, excepting 
in Selleaibes, which are accidental, locai, and very limited, have 
every character of being accidental, and only produce disorder 
and ‘confusion ; and, moreover, the origin and natural history of 
volcanoes is pretty well known, and is investigated and explained 
in the second volume of my Essays. 
The philosopter or naturalist, who can deliberately embrace 
the idea of our rea! strata being cemented and consolidated by 
fusion by fire, either under or ‘out of the waters of the ocean, 
must have his mind strangely warped by attachment to system. 
Such a heat as would melt and bring the whole solid globe to a 
state of fusion, must necessarily heat the whole waters of the 
ocean up to boiling, and the boiling heat of the waters must 
continue for many ages. 
_ L suppose, that a solid globe of the magnitude and density of 
our earth, heated to a state of fusion, would require many thou- 
sand years to cool again to the temperature of our earth and 
water; of consequence, the waters would be kept in a boiling 
state the most of the time: What then would become of all the 
finny and testaceous tribes of the ocean ? 
Neither any of them, nor any of their spermatic powers and 
virtues could possibly live in such a heat; of course, they must 
be all created anew after each of these worlds is cooled, The 
terrestrial tribes must be in as bad a situation as those of the 
watery element, This appears to be an aukward hypothesis. 
$3 With 
