465 
result should be so strongly confirmatory of the Mosaic account, I 
acknowledge was unexpected ; and that so close an agreement should 
be found of the order of creation, as stated in Scripture, with the 
actual appearances of the depth of stratification which has been exa- 
mined in modern times, must satisfy or surprise every one — Moses 
could not have learned this accordance from the Egyptians. 
But leaving this subject to be examined by those whose extensive 
knowledge will enable them to form a more correct judgment on these 
points, I will only remark, that supposing the creation to have been 
performed in the order related in Genesis, and at particular periods, 
as is there stated, it becomes only necessary to consider these periods 
as occurring at considerable indefinite lengths of time, to prove an 
exact agreement between that particular history and those phenomena 
which appear on examining the stratification of the earth. But quit- 
ting conjecture, I shall conclude with placing before you a recapitu- 
lation of the more important of those phenomena, which seem to de- 
mand more particular attention. 
I. The outer part of this globe, examined to as great a depth as 
circumstances have permitted, appears to be formed of nume- 
rous strata differing from each other in their composition, many 
of them containing remains of organized bodies, and all of 
them appearing to have been formed by deposition from water. 
II. These strata, which appear once to have been continuous, have 
been broken through their whole depth, and so dislocated, 
that some masses of the lower strata now form considerable 
elevations on the surface, and in many of these the superior 
strata are carried away. 
III. Coal, and traces of vegetables, with some particular marine 
animals, are found in the lowest strata that have been yet exa- 
mined. In the other strata, up to the surface, the remains of 
the inhabitants of the water only are met with. Near to, and 
3 o 
VOL. III. 
