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appearing to be much less general and extensive than might be sup- 
posed; arising, probably, from each firmly-consolidated stratum 
protecting the subjacent strata from the pressure of the accumu- 
lating, superincumbent, mass. Other strata would be formed by the 
coalescing particles of iron, and of argillaceous earth. These now 
constitute the substances commonly called iron-stone, and which, 
from their compactness and great degree of specific gravity, have 
been supposed by many mineralogists to owe their origin to fire. 
The strata of deposited vegetable matter being thus secluded from 
the air, by alternating layers of dense and compact stony matter, 
would proceed, uninterruptedly, through the bituminous fermen- 
tation ; during which it would be constantly permeated by water im- 
pregnated with various saline, earthy, and metallic particles, derived 
from the several strata through which it had filtered. Under the 
influence of these circumstances its conversion into coal would be 
completed. Thus would a substance, particularly adapted to the 
purposes of combustion, be formed from the eluvies of the devas- 
tating deluge, and would be providentially heaped up in the subter- 
ranean storehouses of nature, to be discovered in after-ages by the 
curiosity and industry of man, when the spread of civilization, by 
laying waste the vast forests which covered the earth, should have 
considerably diminished the stock, whilst the increased modes of 
consumption should have augmented the demand of fuel. 
When the very limited powers of our judgment are considered, 
which frequently are not even sufficient to satisfy us, respecting 
the immediate or proximate cause of several of the most common 
natural phenomena, we should be very cautious in proposing any 
hypothesis, respecting the operations of nature, unless the regular 
concatenation of cause and effect can be plainly traced ; and the 
supposed final end is in exact accordance with our best ideas of 
utility and wisdom. This caution is particularly necessary, if the 
hypothesis is intended to point out a regular series of operations. 
