Sect. IV.] Geologj/. 233 



to an unknown extent, the solid l;)asis on which 

 the chaotic Ihiid ,rcsted ; that from the heated cha- 

 . otic fluid must have been extricated the oxygen and 

 mephitk airs, which gradually formed the atmo- 

 sphere ; 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 crystallisation and deposition of calca- 

 reous earth. Mr. Kir wan also believes, that tlie 

 immense masses thus crystallised and deposited 

 formed the primitive mountains; that the forma- 

 tion of plains took place from the subsequent de- 

 position of matters less disposed to crystallise in 

 the intervals of distant mountains; that the level 

 of the ocean gradually subsided, leaving large and 

 elevated tracts of land uncovered ; that the a^ea- 

 tion of fishes 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 tlie gradual retreat of the waters 

 continued until a few centuries before the general 

 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 belou- 

 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 otlu'r sub- 

 stances, by the combination or dccomjjosition of 

 their respective materials, formed various other 



