RELATIVE QUANTITIES. 
155 
The original laminations of strata, the 
subsequent convulsions, the electric cur¬ 
rents, the slow crystallizations, the fiery 
agencies, the contractions and expansions, 
the growth and entombment of vegetables, 
the surface currents, have all been employ¬ 
ed in providing for our daily benefits. 
It is worthy of remark, that the quantity 
and mode of occurrence of each mineral 
bears an exact proportion to its compara¬ 
tive utility ; the scale of relative production 
is graduated in correspondence to the wants 
of mankind. The more precious metals 
occur in thin veins or lodes, iron in larger 
deposits, coal in beds still more extensive, 
and salt (though more sparingly found) in 
masses of dimensions and purity greater 
than either. 
Thus as in a grand orchestra, now one 
class of instruments sounds forth, and now 
another bursts on the ear, and all swell the 
same strain; so every province of the ma¬ 
terial universe gives its own separate melo¬ 
dious tribute of song to the universal 
chorus—All Thy works praise Thee!” 
The use of coal is an art of civilized life, 
