22 



PICTURESQUE SKETCHES 



It is not, indeed, till we advance one step further, 

 and consider the condition of the earth, by comparing 

 what we know of its inhabitants with our speculations 

 concerning the position of land then existing above 

 the water, that we can arrive at conclusions at all 

 satisfactory. 



The additional facts made known by studying the 

 remains of animals and vegetables found in the vari- 

 ous rocks, give a new aspect even to the form of the 

 speculation ; and we shall soon perceive how far this 

 view of the earliest condition of the globe is probable, 

 when we study the first known results of creative 

 power in reference to organic beings. 



