40 Astronomy and Geology compared. PT. i. 



which is superior to both these laws ? which directs 

 and moulds them and counteracts one by the other, 

 and uses the two to accomplish a mighty design ? 

 There can be but one answer ; the earliest in- 

 stincts of the rudest nation sprompt it ; the loftiest 

 flights of human reason can only enable us to 

 repeat it. 



Greology exhibits a strong contrast in principle to 

 the Solar System, which I have endeavoured to illus- 

 trate. It would be impossible indeed to conceive 

 two principles more completely opposed to each 

 other ; throughout the whole Solar System fixity and 

 uniformity of law is everywhere found, the vast 

 mechanism works in obedience to a common prin- 

 ciple, each part is consistent with every other, and no 

 symptom of variation from the mighty plan can there 

 be detected now, or anticipated in the future. The 

 Earth, considered as one of the planets, and as far as 

 it is associated in this common design, strictly obeys 

 all its laws ; indeed I have drawn from the motion 

 of the Earth and its relation to the Sun and the 

 other planets some of the most striking illustrations 

 of the principles I have sought to explain. Greology, 

 however, does not contemplate the Earth in its 

 relation to the other part of the system ; its province 



