BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 17 



well sheltered valley produces the most salutary ef- 

 fects. Does the east wind rage with fury, or cold, 

 with its freezing particles, visit us from the north 

 the deep-sunk bosom of the valley, or the lee-side of 

 the mountain, defend us from the fury of the tem- 

 pest, and shelter us from the raging storm. 



By this happy diversity of towering mountain and 

 sinking dale, we have a variety of soil in a small 

 compass, and are furnished with the productions of 

 different climates almost at our doors. These serve 

 also for the harbour and lodgment of a variety of 

 animals that would have been ill accomodated in 

 the open plain. They are also convenient not only 

 for the generating of metals and minerals, but for 

 digging them out with infinitely less trouble and ex- 

 pense than if they had been situate at considerable 

 distances below a level surface ; and mountains are 

 the birth place of many valuable Mines and pre- 

 cious Stones-. 



In the burning regions of the torrid zone, ridges 

 of mountains, running from East to West, arrest 

 with their towering heads the vapours in their flight, 

 and, condensed into rain, force back the fugitives in 

 cooling and refreshing showers. 



In places where earthquakes prevail, mountains 

 are converted into funnels, for the purpose of vomit- 

 ing forth these volcanic eruptions of liquid fire, 

 which, but for such vents, might have shaken king- 

 doms from their foundations, and swallowed up 

 provinces in one mighty gulph. 

 c 2 



