Sect. IV.] Geology, 23.5 



supposes that this fact is connected with the origi 

 nal structure of our globe- that it proves that 

 mountains are not mere fortuitous eruptions (as 

 some, within a ic^w years past, have confidently 

 advanced) ; and that it furnishes a powerful argu- 

 ment in favour of the Mosaic account of the crea- 

 tion, deluge, &c*. 



Beside the Theories of which an attempt has 

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

 distinguished, have been ollered to the world, 

 during the period under review. Among these it 

 would be improper to pass in silence the geolo- 

 gical systems of Scheuchzer, Pluche, Engel, Lulolf]", 

 Pyef, WalleriusJ, Bailly, Franklin §, Darwin 1|, and 

 several othei*s no less eminent. Some of these 

 gentlemen have adopted theories nearly agreeing 

 in their outlines with several of those which have 

 been stated -, and to attempt a further detail of 

 such as have any considerable claims to originality, 

 would be to present the reader with new vagaries 

 of imagination, rather than with sober inquiries of 

 philosophy. 



But, although there has been in modern times 

 (as appears from the foregoing pages) a w^onderful 

 variety of fanciful productions, under the name of 



* See Transactions of the lloynl Irish Academy, vol. vii. 



f The Mosaic Theory of the Solar Systein, by Samuel Py^, 

 M. D. 4to. 1765. 



X Mcditationes Physico-clicmicct dc Origine Mundi, Svo. Stock- 

 holm,. 1779. 



§ Conjectures concerning the Formation of the Earth, in a letter 

 to the abbe Soulavie. See Americ. Philos. Trans, vol. ii'. 



Ij See the Botanic Garden : Additional Notes to part i. 



