1. The truths established by 
the great astronomer Laplace, 
bpon the theory of the earth, 
are chiefly, 1. That the earth 
was probably formed by a conr 
eretion of gaseous matter, being 
apart of the solar atmosphere, 
(or a nebulous akash or ether.) 
& The whole earth has once 
been fluid. 
3. The figure of the surface 
of the globe, is a tittle differ- 
ent from a true fluid sphere. 
4. The mean density of the 
earth is 4867, water being 1000 
5. The density of mountains 
tary from 2000 to 4500. 
6. The density of the strata 
increase from the surface, to 
the centre of gravity of the 
globe. 
7. Strata are very nearly 
regularly disposed around this 
centre of gravity. 
8. But nothing proves that 
they are quite concentric. 
9. The irregularities of the 
surface have little depth. 
10. The depth of the sea is 
only a small fraction. 
Both the Wernerians and 
Huttonians begin to admit 
these facts and demonstrable 
truths. (A.) 
IL Primitive rocks so far 
from being concentric to the 
globe are merely local like the 
others. 1. In Cornwall, Scot- 
land and Shetland the granit 
shoots into other strata! imbed- 
ding them, or being imbedded 
by them. 
2. All the kinds of primitive 
rocks are found in the Shetland 
islands, intermixed or ever run- 
ning into each other! forming 
veins, interstrata and infers 
masses. Even masses of gra^ 
nit and veins traverse the 
limestone! Such are granit, 
gneiss, siemte, porphiry, clay 
slate, serpentine, mica slate, 
hornblende, quartz, chlorite, 
limestone, sandstone, &c. (B») 
3. All vertical sections of 
land are therefore erroneous 
when uniting theoretical views, 
and invisible connections of 
strata. Horizontal plans cars 
only be proved by evidence of 
limits. (C.) 
4. Certain intervals of cessa- 
tion have occurred during the v 
formation of terrestrial matter# 
5. During these intervals the 
surface of the globe has be- 
come the habitation of certain 
tribes of animals and plants. 
6. These organized being® 
have become extinct by the 
successive investments of new 
strata deposited by a fluid. (D.) 
7. Several secondary strata 
merely differ from the primi- 
tive by imbedding organic re- 
mains. (E.) 
8. Volcanic strata have some 
peculiar rocks, hut at the same 
time nearly all the primitive 
and secondary series* 
9. The geysers or hot volca- 
nic springs, emit thermal rocks 
resembling basalt, wacks, 
amygdaloid, porphiry, tuffa,, 
and even obsidian! (F.) 
10. Therefore such rocky stra- 
ta, often deemed primitive, se- 
condary or anomalous, may 
have been of volcanic origin. 
(G.) 
III. The following are the 
order of organic strata an4 
