Profefor WiLLi AMS, on Earthquakes. 305 
prepare it for the purpofes of vegetation, and for the various 
ki: vi of produce that are neceffary for the (apport of animal 
life. - Were ‘an infuperable bond of attraction to take place on 
the farface, or in the bowels of the earth, without fomething 
to oppcie its power,—fluidity, motion, vegetation, and all na- 
ture would be at a ftand. The power of gravity tends to this : 
And hence we find it neceflary, by the operations of agricul- 
ture, to break the farface of the erth, to loofen its parts, and 
open its pores, and thus- weaken its attraction, that it may be 
fit for the production of fuch fruit and grain as we want in the 
courfe of the year. An earthquake performs that in the bowels 
of the earth, which the various methods of agriculture per- 
form on its furface.— And it is probable, that the former is 
equally neceffary to the Epes of vegetation, as the latter. — 
And. what feems to con nefe conjectures, it is obfervable, 
-that thof places which are moft fubje& to earthquakes, are the 
moft noted, ceteris paribus, for the fruitfulnefs of its. foil, and 
the plenty of its produce. Thus Italy, Peru, Manilla, and 
efpecially ina and Vefuvius, places greatly fubje& to earth- 
| Dom are cida for- an uncommon fuu. VADE: are 
Ts pri raneous vapou 1 : 
| penay to prevene the ese par of the EXE from bean. 
ing too denfe, compact and Tus in confequence of their at- 
| tracion.— And when thefe vapours are collected in large quan- 
- tities, it may be neceflary to have them difcharged into the 
atmofphere, to prevent. a difiolution of the globe through the 
forte! bf ier aag or BOAC It may alfo be d 
ed, A 
-from their fo for ner courfes, —and new rcon ; 
Pp 
