274 



ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE 



\^ 



not ferve to explain all the fads refpe6ling the 

 rocks of this genus, and wants, of confequence 

 one of the moft important charadlers of a true 



w 



theory. It muft be allowed, however, that it 

 m kes a corihderable approach to fuch a theory, 

 and that the fubmarine volcanoes of Dolomieu 

 have an affinity to the unerupted lavas of Dr 

 Hutcon. 



244, Though in thefe remarks I have endea- 

 voured to expofethe errors of the volcanic fyllem, 

 I cann t but confider that fyrtem as coming 

 infinitely nearer to the truth than the Neptu- 

 nian. It has the nierit of diftinguifliing an or- 

 der of rocks, which bears no mark of aqueous 

 formation, and in which the cryftallized, fparry, 

 or lava like ftradure, befpeaks their primeval 

 fluidity, and refers their origin to fire. The 

 Neptunian fyltem, on the other hand, ftrives to 

 confound the moft marked diftindion in the 

 mineral kingdom, and to explain the formation, 

 both of the ilratified and unflratified rocks, by 

 the operation of the fame element, 

 chargeable with this inconfiftency, it has be- 

 c ine the prevailing fyftem of geology ; and the 

 arguments which fupport it are therefore enti- 

 tied to attention. 



245. It will no doubt be thought fingular, 

 tha' the ^ vie mineralogiil, whom we havejuft 

 feen exerting his ingenuity in defence of the 



volcanie 



Though 



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