249 



at all. But whence that agreement results, how the 

 materials ferment, replace, cosmect and invigorate 

 one another, how the vessels chase and refuse, (if I 

 may so say) in order to produce the fertility desired, 

 is known only to the infinitely wise disposer of all 

 things, ever attentive to the nurture and support of 

 what he has created. But to whatever cause the 

 fertility of earth is to be assigned, earth it must be 

 owned is a most fruitful universal element. Animals, 

 plants, metals, and stones arise out of it, and return 

 to it again; there, as it were, to receive a new exis- 

 tence, and form new combinations, the ruins and dis^ 

 solutions of one sort affording more and more materials 

 for the production of others. 



In stones and metals, we admire the continuity, 

 hardness and lustre of earth ; in plants the rarity, 

 softness, colours, and odours ; in animals, the flesh, 

 the bone, and an infinite number of fluids, in which 

 this supple clement can take place : but the greatest 

 wonder is, that earth is capable of being subtilized to 

 such an exquisite degree, as by uniting and communi- 

 cating with spirit, to perform all animal functions 

 given it in charge by .the soul This is the highest and 

 utmost refinement, which in this state of being, earth, 

 is capable of ; but that it may be still farther refined, 

 in order to be qualified for a future, incorruptible, 

 and more glorious state, is one of the greatest truths 

 which we owe to revelation. 



10. To the second class of fossils belong those 

 which are reduced by fire to a calx. Such are, I. 

 salts, all fossils which (whether they have a salt taste 

 or no) are soluble In water. Common salt is heavier 

 than water, and if quite pure, melts wh-en left in the 

 open air. K the water it i-s dissolved in DC boiled and 

 evaporated, it remains in the bottom of the vessel. It 

 is wvll known to preserve flesh from putrefaction, 

 and to be with great difficulty dissolved by fire. Pro- 

 bably it is composed of pointed pai'ticlcs, which fix in 

 the pores of fltsn ; and by reason of their figure are 



11 5 



