or 
Chapter X. 
Relations of the Earth and its Inhabitants 
to Man, 
From the statements which have been made in 
the preceding chapters, it appears that five 
principal causes have been instrumental in pro- 
ducing the actual condition of the surface of our 
globe. First, The passage of the unstratified 
crystalline rocks, from a fluid to a solid state. — 
Secondly, The deposition of stratified rocks at 
the bottom of the ancient seas. — Thirdly, The 
elevation both of stratified and unstratified rocks 
from beneath the sea, at successive intervals, to 
form continents and islands. — Fourthly, Violent 
inundations ; and the decomposing Power of 
atmospheric agents ; producing partial destruc- 
tion of these lands, and forming, from their 
detritus, extensive beds of gravel, sand, and 
clay. — Fifthly, Volcanic eruptions. 
We shall form a better estimate of the utility 
of the complex disposition of the materials of 
the earth, which has resulted from the operations 
of all these mighty conflicting forces, if we 
consider the inconveniencies that might have 
attended other arrangements, more simple than 
GEOL. H 
