JSfotice of Haydeii's Geological Essays. Bo 



If it be required what aerial fluid could be furnished in 

 the earth in sufficient abundance, it may be answered, that 

 hydrogen gas, proceeding from the decomposition of water, 

 by the action of metallic and inflammable bodies, aided by 

 subterranean heat, would be abundantly equal to the efFect. 

 and even the evolution of oxigen and hydrogen from the de- 

 composition of water, by the natural galvanic arrangements 

 in the bowels of the earth, is probably a sufficient source 

 for the gas. We have not mentioned carbonic acid gas, 

 which might be evolved by many agencies, because it is ab- 

 sorbable by water, especially when aided by pressure. Al- 

 though it is true, that water once saturated by it might then 

 be elevated by its pressure. If by any cause, the gas that 

 has forced the water from its internal cavities, should be ab- 

 sorbed, or make its escape, the waters would again retire 

 into the caverns, and the lands that had been inundated, 

 would be left dry. 



It is very possible, that anterior to the deluge of Noah, 

 and to the peophng of the globe by rational beings,* and 

 during the gradual draining of the earth from the grand 

 chaotic deluge, several floods more or less partial or exten- 

 sive, may have taken place, — thus accounting for partial 

 formations, as the parasitical trap rocks. Sic. 



To return from this digression. It is not within the scope 

 of this desultory notice, to follow Mr. Hayden through ail 

 the varied and deeply interesting proofs, by which, in our 

 opinion, he completely establishes the fact, that our great 

 alluvial formations have proceeded from the sudden and 

 violent prevalence of a deluge, attended by sweeping cur- 

 rents, which buried great quantities of animal and vegetable 

 bodies. 



Among these things are trees, f sometimes of large size, 

 found, frequently, at the depth of forty or fifty feet: some- 

 times their fruit is found with them. Bones and skeletons 

 of whales, porpoises, and sharks of enormous size — bones 

 and teeth of the Asiatic elephant, and of the Mastodon or 



* We consider the accurate clironology of the Genesis as commencing 

 only with the crealion of man, and the first foimation ar,d chaotic state of 

 the globe, as not included in any of the periods called days. 



t The trees are in many instances below low water roaik. and in a bed o; 

 bluish clay or mud resembling sea bottom- 



