4©6 On the ROCKS in the 



pies ; perhaps alfo, to its having always been the object of 

 thofe who have treated the fubject, to accommodate their ob- 

 fervations to a particular theory ; and when this is the cafe, it is 

 obvious, that the rnind cannot refufe itfelf the fatisfaction, of 

 dwelling with comparative enthufiafm on facts which appear fa- 

 vourable to the adopted fyftem ; while others of a different ten- 

 dency, are either reluctantly, and therefore fuperficially confi- 

 dered, or what is yet worfe, even ftudiouily avoided. 



In the prefent Itate of our knowledge, to divert, geology of 

 theory, would be to deprive it of all its intereft. We rauft not 

 defpair, however, that by the multiplication of particular facts, 

 and the expolition of others, with which we are Itill unac- 

 quainted, a fyftem of geology may yet be formed, founded ex- 

 clufively on the phenomena of nature, pr at leaft on reafoning 

 much lefs hypothetical than is now required. 



The molt obvious means of attaining this object, feems to 

 be a careful, minute, and candid examination of every circum- 

 stance which appears to convey an explanation of itfelf, with- 

 out reference to any theory ; and from thefe we may ultimate- 

 ly hope to obtain fome data, equally certain and comprehen- 

 live. 



It is with this view, that I have always formed my collec- 

 tions of geological fpecimens ; and although it will appear, that 

 the arguments I have deduced are favourable to one fet of 

 opinions, yet I can alfert with confidence, that the diltrid which 

 it is the object of the prefent paper to examine, has been faith- 

 fully explored, and, I hope, candidly defcribed. T 



It: 



