616 



GEOLOGY. 



deposition from the sea, as in the case of Pharos joined to Egypt, and Tyre to Syria, with 

 the analogous instance of Antissa to Lesbos. 



The formation of islands, by the ocean cutting its way through peninsulas, as Leucadia 

 and Sicily, the latter recognised by tradition as having once been a portion of Italy. 



The subsidence of land during earthquakes, letting in the sea, or gradually forming 

 lakes, submerging the cities that once occupied those sites, as Buris and Helice in 

 Greece. 



The upheaving of plains, and the diversions of level ground into mountains, as at 

 Trcezene in the Peloponnesus. 



Limestone Mountains on the Coast of Arcadia. 



The displacement and limited duration of volcanic vents. " There was a time," says 

 Ovid, as the exponent of Pythagoras, " when Etna was not a burning mountain ; and a 

 time will arrive when it will cease to burn." 



It must be acknowledged that the philosopher who noted such events as these, had 

 acquired just views of the physical mutations to which our globe is subject, and of the 

 complicated powers that operate in varying its condition. The path marked out by 

 Pythagoras has been ably followed by Mr. Lyell ; and it scarcely admits of a doubt, that 

 all geological phenomena are the effects of physical forces now in action, however 

 questionable his general proposition respecting the perfect equality of their intensity in 

 ancient and in modern times. The changes wrought by these natural agencies in the 

 sweep of ages, acting with varying vigour, of which any one who has eyes, and will use 

 them, may see the evidence, were never better illustrated than by an Arab fable, beautiful 

 for its simplicity, and striking for its truth. It occurs in a manuscript of the thirteenth 

 century, in the following narrative from an allegorical personage : 



" I passed one .day by a very ancient and populous city, and I asked one of its 

 inhabitants how long it had been founded ? * It is indeed, a mighty city,' replied he ; * we 



