Natural Ilistonj. 185 



phere; that from the union of oxygen with ignited 

 carbon, proceeded the carbonic acid, the absorp- 

 tion of which, as the chaotic fluid cooled, occa- 

 sioned the crystalhzation and deposition of calca^ 

 reous earth. Mr. Kir wan also beheves, that the 

 immense masses thus crystalHzed and deposited, 

 formed the primitive mountains ; that the forma- 

 tion of plains took place from the subsequent de- 

 position in the intervals of distant mountains, of 

 matters less disposed to crystallize; that the level 

 of the ocean gradually subsided, leaving large and 

 elevated tracts of land uncovered; that the crea- 

 tion of fish was subsequent to the emersion of the 

 land; that after this retreat of the sea, the earth 

 soon became covered with vegetables, and peopled 

 with animals, being in every respect fitted to re- 

 ceive them ; that the gradual retreat of the waters 

 continued until a few centuries before the eeneral 



o 



deluge; that this event was occasioned by a mira- 

 culous effusion of water both from the clouds and 

 from the great abyss, the latter originating in and 

 proceeding from the great southern ocean below 

 the equator, and thence rushing on to the northern 

 hemisphere, spreading over the arctic region, and 

 descending again southward; that during this ele- 

 mental conflict, the carbonic and bituminous mat- 

 ter ran into masses no longer suspensible in water, 

 and formed strata of coal; and that other sub- 

 stances, by the combination or decomposition of 

 their respective materials, formed various other 

 kinds of mineral bodies, as basaltic masses, cake- 

 (Ionics, spars, &c. 



Besides the Theories of which an attempt ha$ 

 been made to give a brief view, many others, less 

 distinguished, have been oflPered to the world, 

 during the period under review. Among these it 

 w^ould be improper to pass in silence the geological 

 systems of Scheuchzer, Pluche, Engel, Lvlolff, 



