204, Dr. Richardson’s Letter on the basaltic Surface 
and the operation of cutting them down by so many whyn- 
dykes. 
In the second division, corresponding to Varro’s fabulosum, 
I comprehend the operations performed upon our globe, pos- 
terior to its final consolidation, and antecedent to all history 
or tradition ; operations therefore that can be established by 
the visible effects alone which still exist, written in strong 
characters. 
The third division contains the period since we acquired 
some knowledge of natural history, became acquainted with 
causes and effects, and able to trace the connection between 
them. 
With the operations performed in the first division (corres- 
ponding with Varro’s prolepticum ) modern theorists assume 
that they are well acquainted, able to account for every appear- 
ance, and to detail the whole process of original formation. 
I however shall decline noticing these early processes of na- 
ture, and limit myself to the second division of natural his- 
tory, hoping from the prominent features of my country that 
remain still undefaced, and from its curious facts, to trace and 
demonstrate the great effects that have been produced upon 
our surface ; and though i do not presume to advance far- 
ther, I perhaps may assist in clearing the way for future 
naturalists, and by establishing effects, encourage them to 
proceed to causes, and help them to discover the powers and 
agents by which these grand operations have been executed. 
