SURFACE OF THE GLOBE. 41 



their strata was, in all, analogous. And lastly, as 

 granite and trap are not stratified, they can he sub- 

 ject to no laws ; so that their precipitous sides must 

 be determined by a variety of incidental causes. 



But some causes of great moment having been as- 

 signed by great names, for facts which seem to have 

 no existence, it is necessary to notice them, lest this 

 subject should appear to have been treated too lightly. 

 Forster and Pallas have explained the imaginary ge- 

 neral declivity of mountains, by a system of currents 

 flowing in that direction ; and Kirwan, finding two 

 declivities to contend with, has been compelled to in- 

 vent two diluvian torrents. It is admitted that there 

 may be more alluvium or soil on one declivity of a 

 mountain than another, and that this may be a general 

 feature in particular districts, as it is said to be in some 

 part of Scotland. But all which this naked facts proves 

 is, that the alluvial soil finds an easier resting place on 

 the gentlest declivities, or that it accumulates in 

 greatest quantity at the foot of the steepest. It is 

 merely a collateral and necessary effect of the forms of 

 hills ; and whatever some examples may prove re- 

 specting great and general currents of water, there is 

 not a shadow of evidence of their power to demolish 

 mountains. Of those currents which have taken place 

 on the surface, we must seek for the proofs in other 

 facts than the precipitous faces of mountains. 



It has been often remarked, that the highest moun- 

 tains lie in the lower latitudes, and that as we leave 

 the equator, the elevations diminish. But this remark 

 is not sufficiently free of exceptions to serve any useful 

 purpose ; nor does it appear to be in any respect con- 

 nected with those peculiarities with regard to motion 

 or general figure, by which the equatorial are distin- 

 guished from the polar regions. But it is usdess to 



