Chap. 45.] T"he whole Earth not habitable at once. 309 



furface of the earth was at once rendered habitable. 

 From the fcripture account we have reafon to believe, 

 that only a very fmall part of it was inhabited for 

 a long feries of time, viz. the regions about the Eu- 

 phrates, fuppofed to conftitute the Garden of Eden. 

 Here the terreftrial animals were chiefly afiembled, 

 while the marine animals were difperfed through the 

 great abyfs of waters ; and, from the extreme fecun- 

 dity of thofe animals, they would, in a very fhort 

 fpace of time " replenifh the waters" from pole to 

 pole. If, therefore, we fuppofe (as is moft probable) 

 that the greater part of the earth was gradually form- 

 ing itfelf according to the laws of nature and creation, 

 in other words, according to the ufual procefies of 

 attraction and combination, it is eafy to conceive, that 

 a part of thefe animals, efpecially thofe which are lead 

 active, would be gradually intombed in the increafing 

 mafs, and this, as well as the deluge, will account for 

 the great quantities of the exuvias and bones of marine 

 animals, efpecially (hell fifh, which are found in beds 

 of lime-ftone, gravel, &c. even on the tops of moun- 

 tains. 



We fhall ceafe to be aflonimed at the immenfe 

 quantities of fhells, which are thus found imbedded in 

 the earth, if we only confider the amazingly prolific 

 oature of thefe animals. It is not uncommon to take 

 away a bed of thefe Ihell filh feveral fathoms in thick- 

 nefs j and, though the places whence they are removed 

 appear entirely exhaufted, yet in the enfuing feafou 

 there fhall be as many found in all thefe places as there 

 were before*. 



The bones or teeth of fifh, Mr. Whitehurft affirms, 

 as far as his knowledge extends, have never been 

 found mixed with fliells in the folid fubftance of lime- 

 itone. 



Whitehurft, p. 47. 



X 3 That 



