[740] 
be comprehended from the whole, and from every part, 
then I can poffibly forefee, which would make fuch a la- 
bour very well worth the pains. For I am of the opini- 
on, fuch upper iS^^/Zi?/, if natural, infallibly produce fuch 
under Minerals^ andforthemoft part in luch order. But 
I leave this to the induftry of future times. 
1 fliall entertain you at prelent, withaiS'^^^'^^^ of&wrf, 
and another ot Clay, fuch only which I have had the 
chance to meet with in England. As for the Sand, I have 
fome reafons to thiakjthatit was once, the moft exteri- 
our and genera cover of the furface of the whole Earth. 
Becaufe all our Nbr^^^r/z Mountains 2iTQ more or lefs co- 
vered with it at this day, and the higher the iWbz^/z^^/w/, 
ftili the more, and the courfer the Sand: Becaufe the 7^"- 
z'^f J arifing in the Mountains do yet dayly bring it down 
in great quantities, and that it has been lo in all proba- 
bility, in all Ages, fince the firft rains fell upon the face of 
the Earth, which feems to ma to be truth like, in that 
xYi^Sea-Jhoares, or Mouths oil^versy are ufually barr d 
with it 5 Befides the Sandy Sea Grounds in moft places of 
the Sea*, and (which leems a clear evidence for the 
length of time) for that, the low grounds nearthefe^/- 
vers (which have been in all ages upon Record, A/Oj/T^J") 
if you pierce fo deep into them, as to difcover their bot- 
tom J you meet with this ylountain Sand in great quanti- 
ties, arid in fome places a MoJJe under that, and the fame 
Sand-beds under that. Now if we confider how long 
thefe Mojps or Turf is in growing, it being moftly the 
leaves and roots of Plants, we muft allow very many ^ges 
for this purpofe. And although Herodotus one ot the 
moft Ancient Hifioriansthgit are, boldly conjedures that 
^^}'^^ long before our times, would be dammed up and 
ufelefsb/the great plenty of A/^^i yearly brought dowii 
that vaft River j yet it does not appear, that the Country 
is much different from what it was in his^ime, fo that 
the iS*^??^ a nd Af/^^ is ftill carryed to Sea. 
Another 
