6 



ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE 



one another, and exhibiting exactly the fame 

 appearances as if they floated in a fluid of the 

 fame fpecific gravity with themfelves. 



From thefe, therefore, and a variety of Ami- 



lar appearances, Dr Hutton concludes, that the 

 materials of all the calcareous flrata have been 

 furnifned, either from the diflblution of former 

 itrata, or from the remains of organized bodies. 

 But, though this conclufion is meant to be ex- 

 tended to all the calcareous flrata, it is not af- 



erted that every cubic inch of marble or of 

 limeftone contains in it the characters of its for- 

 mer condition, and of the changes through 

 which it has pafled. It may, however, be fafe- 

 ly affirmed, that there is fcarce any entire ftra- 

 tum where fuch characters are not to be found. 



^ ■ 



Thefe muft be held as decifive with refped to 

 the whole fyftem of flrata to which they belong ; 

 they prove the exiflence of calcareous rocks be- 

 fore the formation of the prefent ; and, as the 

 deftrudion of tbofe is evidently adequate to the 

 fapply of the materials of thefe that w^e now 

 fee, to look for any other fupply w^ere fuperflu- 

 ous, and could only embarrafs our reafonings by 

 the introduction of unneceflary hypothefes*. 



3. The lame conclufions refult from an ex- 

 amination of the fdiceous flrata ; under which 



Tve may comprehend the common 



i-flone^ 



and 



* Note r 



t 



