TERTIARY FORMATIONS : THE DELUGE 111 
cations with each other the periods during which the strata we 
are now considering were deposited, the following terms, which 
have come into pretty general use, and are of frequent occurrence 
in the recent works on geology, have been proposed byLyell. 
1. For the earliest of the periods we have noticed, that during 
which the strata of the Paris basin were deposited, he has pro- 
posed the title of Eocene, from »i*? aurora, and x*<k>s, recent, or 
new, because the extremely small proportion of living species 
contained in these strata, indicates what may be considered as the 
first commencement, or dawn of the existing state of the animate 
creation. 
2. The next following epoch he names Miocene ; from puuv, 
minor, less, and xtttvos ; a minority only of fossil shells em- 
bedded in the formations of this period being of recent species ; 
a little less than eighteen in one hundred. The south of France 
near Bourdeaux, Piedmont, and the basin of Vienna, are exam- 
ples of Miocene formations. 
3. 4. To the strata of Italy and Sicily are appropriated the 
designations of older and newer Pliocene ; from n-Xiiu*, major, 
greater, and «<*<>««, indicating a nearer approach and more inti- 
mate resemblance to the existing population of the ocean. A 
part at least of the Low Country of North Carolina ; perhaps the 
whole, (a few isolated rocks excepted,) belongs to the Pliocene 
period. 
From the statements just made, it will appear, that since the 
era when the deposition of the tertiary strata commenced, geo- 
logical formations have been of limited extent. The materials 
of which they are composed are accumulated during an indefinite 
period in the bottom of the sea ; the causes of geological phenom- 
ena that had apparently been slumbering for ages then awaken 
to new activity, and a tract of greater or less extent is raised above 
the waves, and added to the previously existing continents. It 
is in this way, and not by the gradual accretion and extension of 
its shores, that the Low Country of the United States has been 
gained from the ocean. 
57. Prop. VIII. Since the tertiary strata were deposited, 
and since the creation of the existing races of bride animals, 
and of man, one great catastrophe has changed the face of the 
earth. j2 flood of waters has covered those parts of the earth's 
surface which had previously been and are now dry land. 
The appropriate demonstration of the truth of this proposition 
is furnished by the Holy Scriptures. Of the truth and credibility 
of the statements contained in the scriptures, the well authenticat- 
ed miracles recorded in them furnish ample proof, shewing as 
they do, that this one book is a revelation from the most high God. 
The belief has been fondly entertained by some persons, that 
evident marks and traces of the deluge are still visible upon the 
surface of the globe, and they would bring in physical, to aid in 
the establishment and support of theological truth. But even if 
