254 



the disintegration of rocks, and the degradation olj 

 mountains, has very unwisely, or in an unguarded 

 manner, advanced an opinion, which, if not a refuta- 

 tion, militates very much against one of the fundamen- 

 tal principles of his own doctrine. 



We have mountains in this country," says Dr. 

 Hutton, " and those not made of more durable mate- 

 rials, than what are common to the earth, which are 

 not sensibly diminished in their height with a thousand 

 years" 



" The proof of this are the Roman roads made over 

 some of those hills.* I have seen those roads as dis- 

 tinct as if only made a few years, with superficial pits 

 beside them, from whence had been dug the gravel, 

 or materials, of which they had been formed, "f 



In reply to this, professor Murray^ observes, "If in 

 so long a period, the disintegration is so inconsidera- 

 ble as not to be perceptible, what must be required to 

 level those mountains with the gea ? Millions of years 

 would not suffice." 



* The Abbe Fortis likewise makes mention of the remains of 

 Roman roads, in his travels in Dalmatia. One in particular he des- 

 cribes, as leading from Lika, across the country to Salona, and which, 

 near Perussich, is quite entire, though, probably, of much grea- 

 ter antiquity than those mentioned by Dr. Button. Abbe Fortis* 

 Travels, page 524. 



f Theory of the Earth, vol. II, page 140. 



\ The reputed author of the " View of the Huttonian and 

 Neptunian System," which see, page 55. 



