MATERIAL UNIVERSE. 53 



recipient of the falling vapor ; and, as the heat 

 at the surface diminished, this vapor became 

 gradually more condensed, until it assumed the 

 form of rain, when, we may suppose, that 

 the water would slowly accumulate, and, in a 

 state of ebullition, cover the whole surface of 

 the earth. This ebullition, we may suppose, 

 continued for many ages, throwing off vapor, 

 in the form of steam, in vast quantities, and 

 being constantly replenished by incessant rains. 

 Some of the molten metals, passing upwards 

 through the water, from great depths, would 

 serve to keep up the temperature ; while the 

 waters, resisting them, and acting on them as 

 they passed through, would, in many instances, 

 separate them into small rounded particles, (as 

 melted zinc, when thrown in water, is converted 

 into drops before cooling. Thus, we may sup- 

 pose, the gold of California was separated into 

 small particles before cooling.) Others would 

 act on the water, and be partially oxidized. 

 5* 



