comparison of those facts, we are disposed to* regard the 
history of this science as naturally divided into certain g* • ^ 
epochs or stages of development. It will suit our purpose of 
making’ the past and present relations of the science somew 1a 
clear ff we glance at the progress made during each of the^ 
treat epoch!. With this plan in mind, we go back to the 
Sriiest thoughts recorded on the subject, and run rapidly 
down the stream till we reach the present state of affairs 
Ever since man was on the earth, the more piomin .. 
of geology must have been patent to his obser\ a 1 , } 
rn utt ° we think have so far arrested his attention, and exei- 
ZSZZu. 
of the science, and light upon the fii» wi . ? t 
indicate observation and reasoning on tl ;® ® U ^ M „’ o ical | r 
not be wise to conclude that men never thought 
till the authors of that literature lived arno g ^ 
TommmicenientTof^^^^ t^^hjectt^hat 
had XXZeM* We Z 
see that which may bo very res pecttu y ie 
theological observation and not unworthy reason 0 
important facts that had been observed 
„,hr *wr 
whicl! IheEgJtians gje of their peculiar 
s: 5U~ 
acquired by the Egyptians, anc a g passage, of which, 
parts above the lake, during a three days tion » 
however, they said nothing, aie o sa q f r0 m land, as 
Then he speaks of the sea - bo ^“v" Irvial deposit.” 
mud in eleven fathoms, an jj ie above-mentioned 
He says again, “The ^^fthafare siWated beyond 
mountains [the Arabian a by i> f l a bay of the 
Memphis, seems to me to have oeeu 
* Herod., Eat. ii. 5 and 12. 
