54 



ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE 



produces a parallel motion, may, according to 

 the way in which it is applied, produce alfo an 

 angular motion, without any diminution of the 

 former effed. It would, therefore, be extreme- 

 unphilofophical to fuppofe, that any other 

 eaufe has changed the relative level of the lira- 

 ta, and the furface of the fea, than that which 



F 



has, in fo many cafes, raifed the ftrata from a 

 horizontal to a highly inclined, or even verti- 

 cal fituation : it would be to introduce the ac- 

 tion of more caufes than the phenomena re- 

 quire, and to forget, that nature, whofe opera- 

 tions we are endeavouring to trace, combines 

 the pofleffion of infinite refources with the moll 

 economical application of them. 



47. From all, therefore, that relates to the 

 polition of the ftrata, I think I am juftified in 

 affirming, that their difturbance and removal 

 from the place of their original formation, by a 

 force directed from below upwards, is a fad in 

 the natural hiflory of the earth, as perfedlj 

 afcertained as any thing which is not the fub- 

 jed of immediate obfervation. As to the 

 power by which this great effed has been 

 produced, we cannot exped to decide with 

 equal evidence, but muft be contented to pafs 

 from what is certain to what is probable. We 

 may, then, remark, that of the forces in nature 



to which our experience does in any degree ex- 

 tend, 



