14 INTRODUCTION. 



tion, or formation, of water around it ; 

 and its action upon it when allowed to 

 come in contact with it. 



We have briefly given the result of 

 our reflections, from that time, to the 

 time when the central heat yielded to 

 the action of external influences, and 

 the earth was prepared for the abode 

 of the race of animated beings which 

 have since occupied it. 



We have, farther, suggested the 

 probability, that the heated waters be- 

 came the medium of chemical, vegeta- 

 ble, and vegeto-animal organization ; 

 the last deriving their vegetable or 

 embryotic life, and growth, from the 

 chemical materials diffused in the 

 water, and there being prepared with 

 organs adapted to, and with a capacity 

 to fit them for, the great change im- 



