THE PEE-ADAMITE EARTH. 



within the polar circles. But, as has been just observed, during 

 the early periods of the history of the earth, to which we now 

 refer, the influence of internal heat predominating enormously 

 over that of solar radiation, the effects of the latter were wholly 

 effaced, and, consequently, the superficial temperature was uniform 

 at all latitudes. 



190. For a long period after the commencement of superficial 

 solidification, this temperature was far above the limit compatible 

 with the existence of any form of organic life, animal or 

 vegetable ; and, consequently, during this interval the globe 

 was a mere waste, unanimated by life and unadorned by vegeta- 

 tion. Meanwhile, nevertheless, a succession of changes took 

 place, the effects of which have remained so visibly traced upon 

 the earth to the present day, that geologists have been enabled 

 to pronounce not only their existence but their order. Four 

 times the solid crust was cracked, and the internal fluid matter 

 issued through the fissures, forming four systems of mountain- 

 ranges, which still exist to attest these remarkable facts in 

 the primitive history of our planet. 



191. At length the temperature being reduced to a point com- 

 patible with organised life, creative power began to be manifested. 

 The earth was peopled with animals and clothed with vegetation, 

 but these animals and this vegetation differed altogether from 

 those which now animate and cover the globe. They were, 

 however, adapted by divine wisdom to the then condition of 

 the earth, the temperature being not only greater than any 

 which prevails at present, but, as has been stated, uniform at 

 all latitudes. 



192. After this, a like succession of convulsions took place, long 

 intervals of time intervening, by each of which the relative levels 

 of the land were changed, and consequently the distribution of 

 the waters of the ocean completely altered. Such changes implied 

 universal inundations, which involved the destruction of all 

 animated nature, animal as well as vegetable. In short, a suc- 

 cession of deluges must have attended such convulsions, each 

 deluge destroying all the tribes of animals and plants which 

 existed on the globe at the time of the catastrophe. 



193. After each of these convulsions, the waters at first turbid, 

 and holding in suspension great quantities of matter washed 

 away and eroded from the former land, as well as enormous 

 quantities of the remains of the animals and plants previously 

 existing, would, after a time, become tranquil, and then a 

 process of vast importance to the preservation of the history of 

 the globe would take place. The organic remains of animals and 

 plants suspended in the waters would be deposited at the bottom 



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