MATERIAL UNIVERSE. 57 



is much less dense than the interior even in a 

 fluid state ; and, consequently, that its specific 

 levity would cause it to remain on the exterior 

 of the globular mass, and increase its bulk. 

 This accumulation of rust, or earthy matter, 

 probably extended to considerable depth, and 

 of a uniform thickness until disturbed by the 

 action of water. This effect has already been 

 partially described. It will, however, be readily 

 conceived, that, so long as the water was kept 

 in a boiling state, a large portion of it would be 

 suspended in the atmosphere ; and, as it was 

 spread nearly equally over every part of the 

 surface of the earth, it would necessarily be of 

 nearly a uniform depth, and comparatively shal- 

 low. When the waters were converted into 

 steam, under the crust of the earth, this steam 

 would, in some instances, be forced along for 

 many miles before finding egress ; when, burst- 

 ing the solidified rocks, it would raise them from 

 their beds, and the liquid below would be forced 



