188 GEOLOGY. 



the porous strata, and convey it to other situations. The 

 inclinations of the strata, with the breaks and inequalities, 

 render the globe habitable, by distributing the waters over 

 the surface. 



The strata to a great depth are generally characterized 

 by the remains of animals or vegetables, in what is called a 

 petrified state, the organic structure being distinctly visible, 

 although the animal or vegetable matter is aliTK)st entirely 

 removed, and its place generally supplied by calcareous or sili- 

 ceous earth. These organic remains are more abundant in the 

 upper than the lower strata ; and in the lowest beds of rock 

 which have yet been explored, no traces of organic existence 

 have been found. These remains make us acquainted with 

 ^the great changes which must have taken place in the con- 

 dition of our planet in remote ages. The uppermost stratum 

 in England and in various parts of Europe, is formed of al- 

 luvial soil. In this soil, the remains of quadrupeds of vast 

 size, such as the elephant, the rhinoceros, and mammoth or 

 mastodon, are frequently found. Many of these are differ- 

 ent from any existing species, and they prove that dry land 

 existed in the vicinity, and that Europe was then inhabited 

 by species of animals at present unknown. 



The researches of modern geologists have given abundant 

 confirmation to the sacred history, not only with respect to 

 the general deluge, but also with regard to the age of the 

 earth. Until very lately several geological phenomena were 

 considered, by superficial inquirers, as indicating that the 

 creation of the globe we inhabit was an event much more 

 remote than the sacred history represents. This opinion 

 was kept in countenance only as long as geology was in its 

 infancy. Every successive step which has been lately taken 

 in the improvement of this science has served to show its 

 fallacy. The investigations of the latest and most accurate 

 philosophers have afforded the strongest proofs, that the 

 earth, in its present form, cannot have existed longer than 

 appears from the Mosaic account. 



Q,UESTio>fs. — 1. How is the surface of the globe divided ? 2. What 

 does the liighland comprise ? — lowland? bottom of the sea ? 3. What 

 does observation teach us ? 4. In what are all geologists agreed ? 5- 

 How is this proved ? 6. What is said of the structure of the globe .'* 

 7. How may stratification be conceived ? 8. What are tiie substances 

 of which the strata are composed? 9. What is said of organic re- 

 mains ? 10. What have modern geological researches confirmed ? 



