OF THE SEA AND LAND. 47 



an increase of depth or capacity in the bed of the 

 ocean, an increase of depth in certain narrow seas and 

 channels, a general diminution of the waters of the 

 globe, and lastly, an elevation of the land. It must 

 therefore be evident, that as there are causes which 

 tend both to elevate and to depress the apparent level 

 of the sea, the effects may often be very complicated, 

 whatever these causes may be. They may neutralize 

 each other in the same places, they may act in oppo- 

 site ways on different shores, or they may alternate, 

 both in time and place. Hence we may often explain 

 the contradictory testimonies of geographers on these 

 subjects, and perceive also the difficulties in which the 

 observations are involved. A few recorded examples 

 of such changes will suffice for illustration ; nor in- 

 deed are there many to be procured. 



The relative changes of the level of the sea and land 

 on the northern shores of Europe, have been repre- 

 sented, by some writers, as having operated in one 

 direction, by others in the reverse. Celsius first said 

 that the Baltic was gradually lowering, and he was 

 followed by Linnaeus, Wallerius, and others; while 

 Von Buch has made the same remark respecting the 

 gulf of Bothnia. This has been denied by Browal, 

 Kalm, Breislak, and De Luc; and hence the testimony 

 of the whole has been doubted by those who admit of 

 no change but the gradual depression of the sea ; 

 while I have given reasons for supposing that both 

 parties are right, and that, at different times and 

 places, there have been both elevations and depressions 

 of the sea line. And, that the sea line has, at some 

 periods, risen on the coasts of Holland and the neigh- 

 bouring country, is confirmed by corresponding ob- 

 servations on our own eastern shores. The submerged 

 forest of Lincolnshire is a sufficient proof that the sea 



