It may be thought that no instance has occurred, 

 where a corresponding quantity of land has disap- 

 peared. It must be recollected that it is a very pre- 

 valent opinion (though by no means settled) that the 

 whole Carribean sea was once occupied by dry land, 

 and, together with all its islands, attached to the 

 continent. 



Whether this be true or not, certain it is that some 

 parts have sunk or disappeared since the memory of 

 man : such for instance as Port Royal in Jamaica. 



A similar opinion is likewise entertained of the Ca-* 

 nary Islands. Humboldt, I believe, considers that 

 they are, or once were decidedly a part of the conti- 

 nent of Africa. 



But considering these two cases as wanting confir- 

 mation ; there are others which cannot be denied, 

 and particularly in the Mediterranean. Mr. P acock, 

 who travelled into Egypt in 17^7? observes, that the 

 Mediterranean has in all probability, gained quite as 

 much ground as it has lost. 



"Nothing more is necessary," he says, ff to produce 

 conviction of this, than to examine the coast ; for you 

 will see, under water, not only a variety of artificial 

 productions manufactured in the rock ; but likewise 

 the ruins of many edifices. About two miles from 

 Alexandria are to be seen under water the ruins of an 

 ancient temple."* " 



* Travels into Egypt, vol. I. pages 4 & 30. 



