DOMAIN XII. VOLCANIC. 



filled, of course retain their regular form- 

 ation. 



But if, with Dolomieu, we conceive that 

 this planet only presents a shell spread 

 over a fluid centre, it would be difficult to 

 explain why this central lava should only 

 burst forth in particular spots and direc- 

 tions ; for it might equally appear in every 

 portion of the globe. Theories, which 

 only afford sublime speculations on the 

 vast varieties of nature, and the infinite 

 power of the ineffable Creator, cannot be 

 greatly blamed, even when they do not 

 lead to incontestible conclusions ; and it is 

 hoped that an inference arising from the 

 preceding considerations may be hazarded \ 

 namely, that volcanoes owe their origin to 

 fissures, more or less extensive, in the very 

 nucleus of our planet ; and that these fis- 

 sures always remaining, the causes of erup- 

 tion may be withdrawn or renewed. This 

 theory might reconcile most of the doc- 

 trines on the subject, except the puerile 

 ideas of those Wernerians who have never 

 visited volcanic countries, and who impute 



