Geological Qbfervations. 375 



were formed by cryftallization. This opera- 

 tion probably took place after the formation 

 of the atmofphere, (which in the hiftory of the 

 creation is called the firmament) and the gra- 

 dual excavation of the bed of the ocean ; foon 

 after which, it is faid, that by the command 

 of God (that is, by virtue of the laws of na- 

 ture which he eftablifhed) the dry land ap- 

 peared ; for by means of the evaporation of 

 part of the waters into the atmofphere, and 

 the gradual retreat of the remainder, the va- 

 rious fpecies of earths before diflblved ordif- 

 fufed through this mighty mafs, were difpofed 

 to coalefce, and among thefe \\itjiliceous muft 

 have been the firft, as they are the leaft fo- 

 iuble : but as they have an affinity to other 

 earths with which they were mixed, fome of 

 thefe muft alfo have united with them in 

 various proportions, and thus have formed 

 in diftinct mafles the felt fpar, fhoerl and 

 mica, which compofe the granite. Calca- 

 reous earth enters very fparingly into the 

 compofition of this ftone ; but as it is found 

 in Ihoerl, which is frequently a component 

 part of granite, it follows that it muft be one 

 of the primitive earths, and not entirely de- 

 rived from marine exuviae as many ima- 

 gine. Quartz can never be fuppofed to be a 

 prod lift of fire, for in a very low heat it 

 burfts, cracks, and lofes its tranfparency, and 

 in thehigheft we can produce, it is infutible; 

 Bb fo 



