I 334 ] 



As we "know therefore, that certain animals which we are well 

 acquainted with, form their habitations in this manner, why is 

 this to be denied to fubterraneous infects, the exigence of which 

 may be fairly inferred from what hath been ftated, nor can we 

 go further in the proof, except our deepeft mines are more at- 

 tended to than they have yet been by any naturalift. The fearch 

 indeed into thefe deep caverns, commonly arifes from other mo- 

 tives than that of promoting fcience. 



It is unneceflary to mention inftances of the regularity and in- 

 genuity with which infects conftruct their habitations, or prepare 

 the proper receptacle for their eggs and young. I have myfelf 

 however frequently obferved, under the bark of a decayed bough, 

 marks made by their punctures, exactly in the form of leaves, 

 and with as flrong a refemblance to a plant as any foffil of the 

 fame kind. If infects therefore above ground produce fuch imi- 

 tations, why may not the fame happen under the furface of the 

 earth, or at leaft is the impoflibility of this fo great, that it is ne- 

 ceflary to have recourfe to a general deluge ? 



But I mall now perhaps be told, that all thefe objections to the 

 whole globe being covered with water in the time of Noah, 

 cannot weigh an inftant againft the politive words of the book of 

 Generis, which therefore it will be now right to examine, in the 

 fame manner that expreffions in every other author mould be 

 underftood. 



No apology for this need be made in a proteftant country, as 

 othefWife we muft give up the Copernican fyftem, and literally 

 believe that Jofhua not only ordered, but obliged, the fun (and 



I do not by this mean to contend, that no foffil ihell was ever found, 

 but there cannot be a ftronger proof that fuch inftances are rare at any 

 diftance from the coaft, than that extravagant prices are given for fpeci- 

 mens which have the pearly coat. 



4 not 



