156 
WERNERIAN SYSTEM, 
Original state figure of the earth as a sufficient demonstration of its original 
^nfmeii fluidity. “ '1 his important conclusion,” he continues, “was 
have been ' never disputed, the only question has been whether this fluidity 
’ was the effect of fire or w'ater,” and that the latter was the 
agent, he proceeds to inter, because “rocks which have been 
formed or altered by the action of heat, are most distinctly 
dilferenl from those that constitute the great mass of the globe j 
consequently this fluidity cannot be attributed to the agency of 
heat.” “ The only other agent that we are acquainted with, 
- that is capable of producing it, is water j and we have the 
strongest evidence, that this has been the active agen^’*. 
and this The “ evidence” here alluded to, is derived from various 
fluidity caused appearances of mineral bodies, and from the resemblance of 
by water, 
their structure to that of substances know’n to have been formed 
from watery solution. As the highest mountains are composed 
of rocks possessing such a structure, “ we naturally conclude, 
that the ocean must have formerly stood very high over the 
surface of these mountains — and “ further, as the most 
elevated mountains are composed of rocks which extend around 
the whole globe, and must have been formed during the same 
period of time, it follows irresistibly, that the ocean must 
formerly have covered the whole earth, and at the same time.” 
Tlie solids The fluid of which the existence is thus supposed to be 
m f'pisetL 10 established, is next presumed to have precipitated the substances 
cipitr.ted" Lid which it had held dissolved ; but no cause has been assigned for 
the commencement of this precipitation. From its first deposi- 
tions, while yet its contents were held exclusively in chemical 
solution, arose the greater part of the primitive class of rocks ; 
and after their formation a retreat of the incumbent fluid is 
supposed to have begun ; which was affected, according to 
Werner, by a “ gradual diminution" of the water. 
This last opinion, we are told, originated in very ancient 
times, and was, more recently, supported by Linnaeus and 
other philosophers. — But “ it was reserved for Werner to give 
this theory stability,"— and his investigations were attended with 
fluid to 
Juw,. rcti'cated 
proofs by 
Wtruer. 
* Jameson III. p. 7S, 75. 
complete 
