Dr Fleming on the Geological Deluge. SOT 
fidence. The friend of revelation had begun to consider the 
history of the deluge as the least perfect of those records which 
Moses has transmitted, since no proofs could be found in nature 
to attest the occurrence of the catastrophe. Need we be sur- 
prised, therefore, that a considerable degree of anxiety should 
prevail on this subject, with the religious public, and that any 
fresh attempt to revive their hopes would meet with a cordial, I 
had almost said a credulous, welcome ? The truth of this view 
has been put to the test. 
Baron Cuvier, so deservedly celebrated as a comparative ana- 
tomist, having devoted much labour to the investigation of 
fossil bones, naturally directed some portion of his attention to 
those collateral subjects which might serve to illustrate their his- 
tory. In the preliminary discourse to his great work on u Fos- 
sil Bones,” he announced the important results to which his la- 
bours, reading, and reflection had conducted him. This dis- 
course was published in Edinburgh, in 1813, under the title of 
“ Cuvier’s Theory of the Earth.” It has gone through several 
editions, and still continues to be a favourite with the public. It 
has contributed, in a very great degree, to render the study of 
geology popular in this country. How far the explanations 
which it offers of the phenomena of nature are true, and how 
far they are consistent with the sacred writings, will afterwards 
be considered. 
The Reverend William Buckland, while Professor of Mine- 
ralogy in Oxford, appears to have embraced Baron Cuvier’s 
views respecting the deluge ; and, under their influence, distri- 
buted the modern strata (exclusive of the volcanic) into Post- 
diluvian detritus and Diiuvian detritus.-— {Phil. Geol. England 
and Wales , 1818.) In his “ Inaugural Lecture,” which was 
delivered May 15. 1819, before the University of Oxford, on 
the endowment of a readership in geology, he selected for the 
title, “ Vindicias Geologicae ; or the Connection of Geology with 
Revelation explained and stated in the dedication, “ that the 
facts developed by it (geology) are consistent with the accounts 
of the creation and deluge recorded in the Mosaic writings.” In 
his subsequent inquiries, this learned and indefatigable Professor, 
who has contributed so much to exalt the geological character of 
England, has not only investigated the history of thos6 beds of 
a 2 
