2o8 Dr, Richardson’s Letter on the basaltic Surface 
Whence arise the Inequalities with which the Surface of the 
Earth is so exceedingly diversified ? 
I shall not attempt to encounter this question generally, 
nor to extend my enquiries beyond the limits I have pre- 
scribed to myself ; but I shall try whether the curious facts 
so profusely exhibited over our basaltic area, throw any light 
upon the formation of our own inequalities, or lead us a step 
towards the discovery of the operations by which such stu- 
pendous effects have been produced. 
Some to escape the difficulties in which this question is 
involved, ascribe our inequalities to original formation ; as if 
the world had come from the hand of the Creator with the 
variegated surface which now contributes so much to its 
beauty ; but the frequent interruptions, and resumptions of the 
strata in our area, with the perfect resemblance of the corres- 
ponding parts, however great the interval by which they are 
separated, can scarcely leave a doubt that these strata were at 
first continuous ; of course, the figure of our surface at that 
time must have depended on the original positions and incli- 
nations of these strata, which, as appears by the 3d fact, are 
now unconnected with the superficial line, the figure of which 
is governed by their abruptions and removals alone. 
Naturalists have differed much in opinion as to the direc- 
tion in which the causes acted that produced the inequalities 
on the surface of our globe ; some referring us to the bowels 
of the earth as to the scene of action ; while others assert 
that the operations were performed upon the surface itself. 
But the slightest inspection of our facades will at once prove 
that the first hypothesis cannot be correct ; for obliquity of 
