

THE SURFACE OF THE GLOBE. 23 



of these principles, as well as the different kinds of earth which con- 

 tain them ; and, as the difference between these species and those of 

 the present day is confined tu certain limits, I shall show that these 

 limits much exceed those which at present distinguish the varieties of 

 the same species. I shall make known how these varieties are circum- 

 scribed, either by the influence of time, climate, or domesticity. I shall 

 thus be enabled to conclude, and enable my readers to arrive at a similar 

 conclusion, that there must have been remarkable events to have 

 effected the great differences that I have detected. I shall detail the 

 peculiar modifications which my researches have enabled me to intro- 

 duce into the opinions at present entertained respecting the revolutions 

 of the globe ; and finally, I shall examine how far the civil and reli - 

 gious history of nations agree with the results of my observations on 

 the physical history of the earth, and with the probabilities which 

 these observations give rise to concerning the period when human 

 societies found fixed dwellings, and fields capable of cultivation, and 

 when, consequently, they received a settled permanent form. 



First Appearance of the Earth. 

 When the traveller passes over those fertile plains where the peace- 

 ful waters preserve, by their regular course, an abundant vegetation, 

 and the soil of which, crowded by an extensive population, enriched 

 by flourishing villages, vast cities, and splendid monuments, is never 

 disturbed but by the ravages of war or the oppression of despotism, 

 he is not inclined to believe that Nature has there had her intestine 

 war, and that the surface of the globe has been overthrown by revolu- 

 tions and catastrophes ; but his opinions change as he begins to pene- 

 trate into that soil at present so peaceful, or as he ascends the hills 

 which bound the plain. They extend as it were with the prospect; 

 they begin to comprehend the extent and grandeur of those events of 

 ages past as soon as he ascends those more elevated chains of which 

 these hills form the base, or, in following the beds of those torrents 

 which descend from these chains, he penetrates into the interior. 



First Proofs of Revolutions, 

 The strata of the earth, the lowest and most level, only show, even 

 when penetrated to very great depths, horizontal layers of matter 

 more or less varied, which contain countless marine productions. 

 Similar layers and similar productions form the hills to very consider- 

 able heights. Sometimes the shells are so numerous that they form 

 by themselees the entire soil ; they are found at heights greatly above 

 the level of the sea, and where at the present day no sea could reach 

 from existing causes ; they are not only imbedded in light sand, but 



