THE EARTH. 



about eight hundred pounds a-year." It would 

 be endless to mention all the islands that have 

 been thus formed, and the advantages that have 

 been derived from them. However, it is fre- 

 quently found that new islands may often be con- 

 sidered as only turning the rivers from their for- 

 mer beds ; so that, in proportion as land is gained 

 at one part, it is lost by the overflowing of some 

 other. 



Little, therefore, is gained by such accessions ; 

 nor is there much more by the new islands which 

 are sometimes formed from the spoils of the con- 

 tinent. Mariners assure us, that there are some- 

 times whole plains unrooted from the main lands, 

 by floods and tempests. These being carried out 

 to sea, with all the trees and animals upon them, 

 are frequently seen floating in the ocean, and ex- 

 hibiting a surprising appearance of rural tran- 

 quillity in the midst of danger. The greatest part, 

 however, having the earth at their roots at length 

 washed away, are dispersed, and their animals 

 drowned ; but now and then some are found to 

 brave the fury of the ocean, till being stuck either 

 among rocks or sands, they again take firm foot- 

 ing, and become permanent islands. 



As different causes have thus concurred to pro- 

 duce new islands, so we have accounts of others 

 that the same causes have contributed to destroy. 

 We have already seen the power of earthquakes 

 exerted in sinking whole cities, and leaving lakes 

 in their room. There have been islands, and re- 

 gions also, that have shared the same fate ; and 

 have sunk with their inhabitants, never more to 



