7-8 JAMAICA, 



fliells. But It is almofl: as difficult to dlfcovcr, by what means they 

 were brought into a fituation at that height above the fea, and at 

 fuch a diltance from it. Nature is faid to have done nothing iu 

 vain ; but an oiiginal creation of fuch whimfical refemblances 

 could anfwer no wife purpofe. This globe carries every prefumptive 

 evidence of having undergone very extraordinary changes, and par- 

 ticularly by earthquakes ; and, as we cannot tell by what imper- 

 ceptible paffages the water of the ocean may permeate even below 

 the bale of iflands ; fo we cannot pofitively deny, but it may force 

 its way to a very confiderable ekvation, in confequence of violent, 

 eruptions, which attend thefe commotions of the earth ; carrying 

 with it (hells and fand, and perhaps leaving mafles of ialt dcpofited 

 as it recedes, which may afterwards impregnate rivers, as we find 

 in fome parts of the South fide of Jamaica. Doctor Brookes fpeaks 

 rationally on this fubjeft : "We cannot," fays he, "determine 

 •< whether there has ever been an univerfal earthquake or not, 

 « which has changed the primitive form of our world. However, 

 " this is certain, that a great many fubftances, which feem to have 

 " been proper only to the fea, are now found in the bowels of the 

 *' earth ; and which have perhaps been petrified by degrees, by the 

 " infinuation of water, falts, and exceeding fmall cryllalline or 

 « ftony particles, proper to fill up their pores, without alteration 

 " of their fliape. To this all the produdlions which fome have 

 " looked upon as lufus naiurtie^ or fports of nature, are evidently 

 *' owing. Beiides the bones of crocodiles, the Ikeletons of fea- 

 <■' horfes, the entire bodies of petrified fifh, there are almoft every 

 " where found fea-(hells of all kinds, and all forts of the parts of 

 " fea-animals, converted into ftone ; fome very wonderful, with 

 ■*' regard to their fituation ; and others, with regard to the oddnefs 

 « of their fhapes."" The petrifadions found at the Decoy ieem to 

 come neareft in fimilitude to Sir Hans Sloane's Fe£len Jamacien/is 

 flriis levibus. Vol, II. foL 256. N° I. which is frequent on the 

 Ihores of the ifland. 



As the fettlement of this parifii was not entered upon heartily 

 until about the year 1736, it may fiill be deemed in its infancy, 

 and will no doubt invite new planters by degrees, as its wood-land 

 comes to be cleared ; for at prefent not one-fourth of it is brought 



into 



