i 5 6 EFFE'CfS of HEAT 



in the laft-mentioned experiment, whilft the Tub fiance of the 

 contiguous ftrata retained a confiderable degree of firmnefs. In 

 this Hate of things, the ftratum jufl mentioned, would very na- 

 turally become the fcene of a flip, occafioned by the unequal 

 prefTure of the furrounding mafles. By fuch a Hiding motion, 

 accompanied by great compreflion, a tree would be flattened, 

 as any fubftance is ground in a mortar, by the combination of 

 a lateral and direcT: force. At the fame time, the fliells along 

 with the trees, would be flattened, like thofe defcribed by Berg- 

 man y while thofe of the fame fpecies in the neighbouring 

 limeftone-rock, being protected by its inferior fulibility, would 

 retain their natural fhape. 



IX. 



Application of the foregoing refults to Geology. — The fire employed in the 

 Huttonian Theory is a modification of that of the Volcanoes. — This mo- 

 dification mujl take place in a lava previous to its eruption. — An Inter- 

 nal Lava is capable of melting Limeflone. — The effects of Volcanic Fire 

 on fubjlances in a fubterranean andfubmarinejituation, are the fame as 

 thofe afcribed to Fire in the Huttonian Theory. — Our Strata were once 

 in a fimilar fituation, and then underwent the action of fire. — All the 

 conditions of the Huttonian Theory being thus combined, the formation 

 of all Rocks may be accounted for in a fatisfaclory manner. — Conclu^ 

 fion. 



Having inveftigated, by means of the foregoing experi- 

 ments, fome of the chemical fuppofitions involved in the Hut- 

 tonian Theory, and having endeavoured to aflign a determi- 

 nate limit to the power of the agents -employed ; I fliall now 

 apply thefe refults to Geology, and inquire how far the events 



fuppofed 



