

system ; yet there are facts remaining which consti- 

 tute insuperable obstacles to the complete establish- 

 ment of this plan, as correct and unexceptionable. 

 Such are the immense beds or quarries of the muriate 

 of soda ; the formation of the native metals, &c. &c. 

 Independently of which there are other circumstances 

 or geological facts, that frequently occur, and which are 

 eagerly embraced in support of the Neptunian theory ; 

 but they are in many, if not in most cases, entirely 

 irrelative having but little or no bearing or relation 

 with the actual formation of this globe. They consti- 

 tute certain geognostic features or characters, that not 

 only favour, but strongly support the Neptunian theo- 

 ry ; nevertheless, they are, as I shall endeavour to 

 prove hereafter, almost, if not entirely accidental. 



In a geological investigation, whether with a view 

 to the original formation of the globe, or to the great 

 and important changes it has undergone subsequently 

 to its original formation, perhaps no country upon its 

 surface affords a more suitable field for scientifick re- 

 search, or more ample opportunities, and numerous 

 facts from which to form correct ideas on these two 

 points, than the continent of North America. 



In its various parts are exhibited all the different 

 formations, that are mentioned by geologists in sup- 

 port of the Neptunian theory : such as primitive transi- 

 tion, secondary, or floetz, &c. At the same time few 

 or no indications occur that can favour in the least pos* 

 sible degree, the Huttonian theory ; or, in other words, 

 that any known part within the present limits of the 



