

287 



OD this point I am again strongly supported by the 

 remarks of Air; Rennell, who, in speaking of this 

 subject, says : 



" And hence it may be supposed, that the state of a 

 delta, is that of an iiu perfectly formed country, aud 

 that the progress of matters towards completion, is, 

 that of the river forming itself into one channel." 



66 That is, from a, mud bank, it becomes a marsh ; 

 then a field intersected by drains, and deeply inundat- 

 ed, at particular periods ; and finally a firm field, sub- 

 ject to slight inundation <. but without any natural de- 

 rivations from the river."* 



From whence then, I would ask, are the materials 

 derived, that continue to elevate the delta, in some in- 

 stances, far above the overflowing or inundations of 

 the river? From the same sources, that have con- 

 tinued to yield their materials from the commencement 

 of the formation of a delta, and will continue so to do 

 until their ultimate completion. 



* Rennell's Herodotus, page 5H. 



