456 



rendered peculiarly fitted for supporting combustion, in the various 

 modes necessary for promoting the comforts of mankind, and con- 

 ducting the numerous arts of civilized life. 



In this new mode of existence we saw reason for supposing, that 

 the combination which took place was such as to resist the decom- 

 posing powers of almost every agent, except that of fire : manifesting 

 the completion of the process, and evincing proofs of the most wise 

 and providential arrangement. For here we perceived that a state of 

 permanency was yielded to the substance thus formed ; which sub- 

 stance appeared to be intended for the use of man for a period of 

 time, not only beyond our knowledge, but even beyond the reach 

 of conjecture. On the degree of perfection to which this process 

 attained, and on the introduction of various earthy, and other 

 matters, appeared to depend the formation of the different kinds 

 of bituminous substances, and particularly the different varieties 

 of coal. 



There also appeared great reason for supposing that, in some 

 situations, and under certain circumstances, this process was ar- 

 rested, in small detached masses, b^ their being subjected to parti- 

 cular saline, earthy, or metallic impregnations. In which cases it 

 was presumed, that substances were formed, which, although not so 

 useful to man as those already mentioned, were well calculated to 

 increase his number of elegant luxuries, and to excite in his mind 

 the highest degree of admiration, by their extraordinary, and often ex- 

 quisitely beautiful appearances. Thus seemed to have been formed 

 the fossil woods; some, at least, of the jaspers ; the pitch-stones; 

 the wax, or serni-opals ; and, perhaps, even the noble opal itself. 



The most direct inferences, from obvious facts, made, whilst 

 considering the nature of those bodies, which have been the sub- 

 jects of our correspondence, lead to the conclusion, that, indepen- 

 dent of the accomplishment of any other important purpose, by 

 the resolution of a former world, one grand object appears to have 



