18 INTRODUCTION. 



tion of their temperature, for the pro- 

 duction of the whole. 



It is believed, that water alone, either 

 in a state of decomposition into its ori- 

 ginal elements, or by being converted 

 into steam, was capable of producing 

 all the convulsions under the earth's 

 surface, and, consequently, all the eleva- 

 tions upon it; and, with the aid of 

 caloric, and electricity, and the other 

 gases external to the earth, while it 

 remained in a fluid state, of producing 

 all the changes that have ever taken 

 place upon it, since its fluid forma- 

 tion. 



If our theory be the true one, the 

 sun, and other luminaries of the uni- 

 verse, that generate their own light, are 

 influenced by the same principles that 

 controlled the earth's atmosphere, before 



