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As* the waters of the ocean increased in height, and 

 the currents in rapidity, the countries adjacent to the 

 Mediterranean were inundated, and the waters pro- 

 pelled across the continent between the Alps, Pyren- 

 nees, and other mountains, whilst the animal and vege- 

 table remains of Hindostan, Arabia, and Africa, were 

 borne across the country, and deposited in many 

 places on the continent of Europe ; such as the ele- 



* As respects the geological appearances in the neighbourhood of 

 the Caspian sea, and the sea of Aral, it is difficult, from the few facts 

 that are given us on this subject, to determine, with certainty, what 

 were the effects of that great revolution upon it and the surround- 

 ing country. Yet, although the great extent of country, the Steppes, 

 to the northward and westward of the Caspian sea, does not alto- 

 gether favour the opinion, that the same currents have been instru- 

 mental in producing the changes, which we are led to suppose it has 

 undergone ; the country to the south east to a great distance affords 

 many reasons to believe, that it has experienced material changes 

 from the same cause ; and that the great desert of Khilva or Kiva, 

 (once perhaps a part of the Caspian Sea,) is the result of its opera- 

 tions. If we view the great ridge of Imaus on the east, extending 

 to a great distance from south east to north west, and its subordi- 

 nate ridges extending westerly a considerable distance ; and then 

 view the great range of Sariphi Mountains, commencing near the la- 

 titude 32 50', and running a similar course until meeting the Cas- 

 pian sea, then turning north along its coast to latitude 42 or more, 

 we shall see an immense valley, through which these currents must 

 of necessity have flowed, and in which lies the great desert of Khie- 

 va, extending from latitude 37 20' to beyond 42. This desert 

 extends in breadth from the Caspian sea to the river Sihon, or Oxus. 

 This river takes its rise in the Ghergistan Kuttore mountains, 

 which run in a circular range from mount Seriphi on the west, 

 to mount Imaus on the east. 



