On Cosmogony. 375 
were not less rare than the phenomenon of these roads or lines, 
there, is said to be: but, that alternations of strata, inclined 
in different degrees, so commonly occasion a change of the in- 
clination of the surfaces formed by their edges, when considered 
across or perpendicular to their planes, that it was the most com- 
mon of geological phenomena; and that mineral surveying, as 
it had been discovered near a quarter of a century ago, and 
taught by Mr. Smith, the author of the Map of the Strata of 
England and Wales, &c., most effectively availed itself of this 
phenomenon, in the investigation of the internal structure of di- 
stricts, from the form and nature of what appears on their sur- 
faces. 
I endeavoured, but without effect, topersuade my friend to make 
Dr. MacCulloch’s paper the subject of a communication to your 
work, and therein to offer, at length, the reasons for the opinion 
he had formed as to the cause of the singular parallel and level 
lines on the surfaces of the hills in question. The too common 
plea of want of leisure was brought forward as his excuse; and 
thus I have been induced to trouble you, in order to throw out the 
above suggestion, while this paper of Dr. MacCulloch may be 
under the consideration, or fresh in the recollection, of your geo- 
logical readers, some of whom, | hope, will enter zealously on the 
further investigation of the subject, and promote the putting to 
the test the explanation thus offered, by cutting trenches down 
through thealluvia (as miners formerly were wont to do, in search 
of mineral veins), and sufficiently into the strata, to ascertain 
their nature and positions, right across the lines or pretended 
roads, in several places. 
1 am yours, &e. 
October 4, 1817. A GrotoetcaL Novice. 
LXII, On Cosmogony. By H.S. Boyp, Esq. 
To Mr. Tilloch. 
_ Sir, —~ Aw eminent mineralogist lately put into my hands 
Kerr’s Translation of Cuvier’s Essay on the Theory of the Earth. 
Although it lay quite out of the road of my ordinary studies ; 
yet as it came recommended by such an authority, 1 was induced 
to peruse it with attention. ‘To this work Professor Jameson 
has prefixed a preface, in which he intimates that the Mosaic 
history is remarkably confirmed in four particulars: 1. The or- 
der in which the different animals were created: 2. The oc- 
currence of the deluge: 3. The precise period of its occurrence : 
4 The recent origin of the human race, Yet in other respects 
Aa4 ~ the 
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