184 THE MINERAL KINGDOM. 



The mineral kingdom forms what is called the 

 crust of the earth, and includes rocks, metals, chalk, 

 stones, coal, sand, salt, and other bodies. What is 

 termed the soil, or that soft covering, which serves 

 for the support of the vegetable kingdom, is made 

 up of decayed animals and plants, and of minerals, 

 which have either been reduced into fine powder, 

 or broken into small fragments. 



The mineral kingdom is as full of the beauty 

 of design, and shows the handy-work of God as 

 forcibly, as the most finished animal or vegetable. 

 When we examine it, we find that the different 

 parts of w r hich it is composed are arranged in a 

 certain and definite manner, which is the same in 

 all situations and in all climates. 



Our own country is particularly favoured in the 

 number and valuable nature of its mineral pro- 

 ductions. These are, indeed, some of our chief 

 sources of wealth. 



Amongst the most important may be reckoned 

 coal, iron, lead, copper, lime-stone, clay, building- 

 stone, and salt. 



Almighty wisdom, in laying the foundation of 

 the world, has placed the different parts of the 

 mineral kingdom in regular order, one kind of 

 rock, stone, sand, or clay, being laid over the other : 

 these layers are called strata, and are found to be 

 the same wherever they have been examined. 



In some of these strata, or layers, the remains 

 of animals, such as bones and shells, are found in 

 great abundance, and in others, those of vegetables 



