PREFACE. 
Three important subjects of enquiry in 
Natural Theology come under consideration 
in the present Treatise. 
The first regards the inorganic Elements 
of the Mineral Kingdom, and the actual 
dispositions of the Materials of the Earth : 
many of these, although produced or modi- 
fied by the agency of violent and disturbing 
forces, afford abundant proofs of wise and 
provident Intention, in their adaptations to 
the uses of the Vep-etable and Animal Kino;- 
doms, and especially to the condition of Man, 
The second relates to Theories which have 
been entertained respecting the Origin of 
the World ; and the derivation of existing 
systems of organic Life, by an eternal suc- 
cession, from preceding individuals of the 
same species ; or by gradual transmutation 
of one species into another. I have endea- 
voured to show, that to all these Theories 
the phenomena of Geology are decidedly 
opposed. 
The third extends into the Organic Re- 
mains of a former World the same kind of 
investigation, which Paley has pursued with 
