( 221 ) ) 
whole face of the Moor is plain and even, conformable 
to the reft of the Hill not thus Moory of the fame De- 
clination with it 5 and appears to be in a Natural, and 
Undifturbed ftate, as much fo, as any of the Slades in the 
Neighbouring Fields 5 excepting that g or 4 Trenches 
have been cut through it of late. 
’Tis evident that thefe Shells were left at the Deluge, 
when thofe from Sea were alfo reported at Land ; and 
not buryed fince by Deterrations from the Ground above. 
For then the upper parts of the Moor mull have been 
cover’d with a Reddifh Sand, fuch as the Ground is for 
the main compos'd of $ but nothing like that appears near 
the Shells in this Moor. Befides, here are dug up feveral 
Shells that in all likelyhood never bred here, but are 
Inhabitants of a different Soil : Particularly the ftriped 
Snail-Shell. For thefe Animals have peculiar Soils, and 
affeft particular Regions. 
But what I here give only brief hints of, will appear 
in a much better Light when rank’d amongft other like 
Relations, in the Natural Hiftory of NorthamptotijJrire. 
You are very kind in your Enquiries about the Progrefs 
of that Work * and very many of my Friends in this 
Country have been preffing in their Solicitations to have 
it at an end. I am mighty fenfible of their Good Wilhes 
both to me, and to that Undertaking $ and hope all 
here are now well fatisfied it goes on as faft as is practi- 
cable. I have indeed exceeded the time I at firft pro* 
pofed $ but this is owing to the Growing of Materials 
upon my Hands, and the Difficulty of treating of them 
in a manner that was fit| and would render the Defign 
ufeful. Thofe who have well weigh’d this, leave me 
very frankly to 'my own Time : And I will do my beft 
to acquit my felf of the Task with fuch Difpatch, that 
they (hall 'nave' no Gaufe to think their Indulgence and 
Gehefofity miifplaceffi I have gone through the feveral 
Heads of the Heavens and Air, the Waters, ..the Earths, 
i| P the 
