SjECT. IV.] Geology. llif 



Early in the century, and indeed until \\itlii]i a 

 few years, several geologieal phenomena were con- 

 sidered, by superficial inquirers, as indicating that 

 the creation of the globe we inhabit was an event 

 much more remote than the sacred history repre- 

 sents it; and some theorists even went so fu' as to 

 profess a belief that it existed from eternity, 'i'liese 

 opinions were kept in countenance only as loni^ a^ 

 geology was in its infancy. Every successive step 

 which has been lately taken in the improvement of 

 this science has served to show their fallacy. 1 he 

 investigations of the latest and most accurate phi- 

 losophers have afforded proof little sliort of demon- 

 stration, that the earth, at least in its present form; 

 cannot have existed longer than appears from the 

 Mosaic account ; the absolute falsehood of manv 

 positive assertions, and specious inferences, hostile 

 to the scripture chronology, has been evinced ; and 

 thence has arisen a new presumptive argument in 

 support of the aiitlienticity of that volume, whicli 

 contains the most ancient and the most precious 

 of all records. 



has greatly distinguished himself by the acuteness and succtss ot 

 his geological inquiries, expressly tells us that such earth dots not 

 exist between the beds of lava of which the count speaks, and 

 thus destroys the foundation of his whole argument. But even if 

 vegetable earth were found in the circumstances supposed, no 

 conclusion relative to its age could faifly be deduced from this 

 fact_, as some lavas become fertile much sooner than oilier.-. 

 The chevalier Gioanni, in 17^7 > found lavas projected in l/Oo 

 in a state of vegetation ; while other lavas, known to be ujuch 

 more ancient, still remained barren. — Kirwan's Geological F.imys, 

 pp. J 04, 105, 



Vol. I, 



