5^4 



ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE 



,439. In the preceding reafonings, we have fup- 

 pofed the procefs of decay and fubfequent llratifi- 

 cation to be carried on without interruption, till 

 the whole of the land is covered by the fea. This 



w 



fuppofition is ufeful for explaining the nature of 

 the forces which have determined the figure of 

 the earth ; but there is no reafon to think that 

 it has ever been realized in its full extent, the 

 elevation of ftrata from the bottom of the fea in- 



r 



terrupting the progrefs, and producing new 

 land in one place as the old decays in another. 

 The very fame land alfo, which is wafted at its 

 furface, may perhaps be lifted up by the forces 

 that are placed under it ; or it may be let down, 

 undergoing alterations of its level, from caufes 

 that we do not perceive, but of which the adion 

 is undoubted (§ 387). But notwithftanding thefe 



the 



ptions, the general tendency to produce 



fpheroidal fig 



may 



and 



more may be done by every revolution, to bring 

 about the attainment of that figure than to caufc 



a de 



from it. 



Tb 



figure, therefo 



though never likely to be perfedly acquired, 

 will be the limiting or afymptotic figure, if it may 

 be fo called, to which the earth will continually 

 approach. 



44Q. If the preceding conclufions are jufl, and 



f the figure of equilibrium 



tic fig 



ly an afympt 



to which that of the earth may ap 



proximate 



i 



A 



pre 

 not 



fro 

 ing 



deg 



the: 



nea 

 ned 



in I 

 rop 



for 



the 

 the 

 thei 



Ian 



( 



afp 



mi- 



tha 

 obf, 



( 



fim 



ilrii 



e 



« 



p. 6 



« 



