RETREAT OF THE FLOOD. 107 
remains of organized creation,*—undetermined 
queries as to the powers of existing agencies,—un- 
satisfactory acquaintance with the more abstruse 
departments of physical science as applied to the 
condition of the earth’s nucleus, the motions and 
powers of the tides, &c.,—uncertainties as to the 
change of river courses as one of the results of 
the Deluge, besides various other doubts of minor 
importance. 
In pursuing this enquiry, I shall as in the ex- 
amination of our more ancient geology contrive to 
enumerate circumstances consecutively in the order 
of their occurrence, commencing with the era im- 
mediately following the Flood whose devastations 
and effects I have been endeavouring to depict. 
That the waters of the Deluge on their subsidence 
retreated to an elevation not far different from that 
now presented by our sea, we have proof in the 
circumstance of “diluvium” occurring not much 
above the present tide on the cliffs round Plymouth. 
Such accumulations of travelled pebbles, and 
debris, would, I apprehend, appear chiefly where 
the power of the waves was finally exhausted and 
their action spent. ‘There is also proof which I 
* Polwhele records the remains of the moose deer as having been 
found in Devonshire (bogs of Bovey Heathfield I believe) ; also 
the “ debris of numerous hogs.” Borlase mentions the discovery of 
“ part of a fossil horn” in slate rock, in Comwall. Vancouver says 
that in the parish of Cruwys Mortchard was discovered the cele- 
brated “ fossil bacon,” (p. 24.) It is necessary to ask, what were 
the particulars of these discoveries, and how far they are authen- 
ticated, before bestowing confidence on such reports, or assigning 
them to any era. There may be some doubt as to the age of the 
nerita before alluded to. The Rey. Mr. Hennah obtained from 
the Oreston caves, bodies having all appearance of snake’s eggs ; 
they were imbedded in stalagmite, and are therefore probably 
modern. I procured from the Yealm Bridge cave, some bits of a 
root of a tree ina small crevice, in a semi-fossil state. 
O 2 
