MATERIAL UNIVERSE. 77 



lungs, in the latter, leaves; and this apparatus, 

 in each, requires the stimulus of the oxygen of 

 the atmosphere to bring it into action. 



Thus, then, in the dark, still, and warm 

 waters, the germs of vegetable and animal life 

 were generated ; their vegetable, embryotic stage 

 of existence matured ; and the classes intended 

 for locomotion, whether in the water or upon 

 land, endued with an impulsive sensation, or 

 instinctive faculty, which subsequently directed 

 them to the attainment of the means of supply- 

 ing their natural wants, as well as of preserving 

 and perpetuating their species. 



Meantime, the internal convulsions were rais- 

 ing the earth's surface, and often forcing the 

 molten matter through it, in various locations ; 

 and the waters, accumulating in the valleys, 

 depressed the crust beneath them, thereby caus- 

 ing the elevations and depressions to present a 

 greater irregularity on the exterior, than had 

 hitherto existed. 

 7* 



