facts which cannot be set aside, and place the eternal signet of truth upon our general theory. Speculations upheld by evidences so general and undeniable, are at once conclusive. From Cape Comorin, on the southern headland of Hindostan, along the shores of the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope, and from Cape Horn to Behring's Strait, laved by the Pacific Ocean, on the whole line of this mighty girdle, which may be said to encircle the best portion of the habitable globe, we find the primary formation comparatively free from depositions; and even beyond the Strait of Behring, as far as Cape Lopatka, in Kamtschatka. Nor are the evidences here adduced the less remarkably exact from Cape Lopatka to Cape Comorin, which describe what is properly the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean, in presenting a continuation of the most splendid and fruitful plains on the face of the earth.

If the base line of a triangle be laid down, resting on Cape Lopatka to the embouchure of the Indus, and the apex of such a triangle fixed on New Zealand, assigning the depositions on the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean, as lying within an area so described, we shall find a space equal to about 4500 miles square, chiefly occupied by either land or fathomable water; and as much probably as one half of this space may be attributed to land formed by tidal depositions. Yet immediately to the eastwards these depositions, or on a line

stretched northwards from New Zealand to Cape Lopatka, we find an unfathomable space in the Pacific Ocean, laying between such a line and the western shore of America, with scarcely any land appearing, which exceeds the extent of land and fathomable water found to the eastwards of New Zealand and Cape Lopatka. The deduction is unanswerable. An extent of denudation so enlarged and complete, immediately bordering upon corresponding depositions composed of land and fathomable water, give a plain answer. The re

sults of an eastwards motion of the earth, and consequently a westwards current of the ocean, flowing also in a curved line northwards and southwards, almost from pole to pole, are here distinctly demonstrated.

Hence, we ask no postulates or first premises; but base the whole system on incontestable physical laws, which are not left to conjecture or hypothesis, but may be determined by actual results. Having shewn that the various formations are derived from fluid action, determined by fixed granitic pivots, we shall in the ensuing chapter show the progress of the depositions which are spread over these barriers of the world, and how by an omniscient Providence those wonderful works are thus preserved, as the labours of the painter are protected and beautified by a coat of varnish.

CHAPTER III.

ON DEPOSITIONS, AND THEIR VARIOUS FORMATIONS.

WHAT has gone before shews a violent and sudden revolution to have occurred on the face of the primeval earth. We have now to trace the consequences of this revolution in detail, and frame an alphabet for Geological science out of the leading changes which the earth has since undergone. At whatever period, or whatever series of matter we examine the ingredients of which the main substance of the earth is composed, we find clay, sand, and limestone the prevailing materials out of which it has been constructed, and brought into an organic form. It has, therefore, assumed its present modifications and properties by having gone through a train of processes, chemical and mechanical, which have brought to light the earth we now behold. The primarily solid portion of the earth, the granite formation, by no means differed materially in the elements of matter, from the semi-fluid rim which rested thereon. Alumine, silex, and calcareous earth, which last commonly contains an admixture of 45 per cent. of carbonic acid in combination formed the main substance of both the primary and the secondary masses of

matter, out of which the earth has been framed. These being very differently compounded, in distinct periods of the earth's progress to maturity, both chemically and mechanically, it is by detecting these differences, and ascertaining the peculiar incidents which belong to each Geological era, that we frame a correct order of science and nomenclature. So far matter was in but two distinct states or classes, solid and fluent.

No sooner had the granite formation been lifted above the waters which previously overspread the whole face of the earth, or even lifted within the base line of those waters, or of a semi-fluid layer beneath them, than a prodigious commotion necessarily ensued. As it may be fairly assumed that the semi-fluid rim of the earth, at that instant, was somewhat equally distributed over its solid face, so its admixture with the waters of the earth contributed to suspend them above their subsequent level; and but small spaces of the primary formation must have then been elevated above the level of the great deeps. Yet the influence of these stupendous breakwaters necessarily extended to their base in stemming and turning tidal action. However mightily the Neptunian trident might lave over them, yet they would check the great tidal current effectually, and determine the course of depositions according to physical laws. The altitude of the tide-wave at this important juncture is a question of some moment.

In discussing this material question, inasmuch as a faithful outline of Geology may be involved, the figure, composition, and height of our British mountains claim especial attention. Have they been materially raised in height, have they undergone obvious changes in features, or has their composition undergone any essential conversion since the era of their deposition, by the influence of subsequent volcanic action or not? We say not. The Cumberland mountains are a fair instance. None of their highest peaks are composed of gra nite. In summit heights they are comparatively equal as a group. In figure they are almost uniformly sloped and regular in form; and they generally lie in lines that take a western and eastern direction-blunt on the east, and tapered finer off to the westward. Even the plain of Carlisle and Wigton, situated on their northern base, and the progressively ascending ridges which cover that base, are all disposed in comparatively regular parallels, taking corresponding directions from east to west, with the mountains that stand along their southern edge. Evidences so regular are at once adverse to an admission of material volcanic action since the date of their original deposition. Again, have they been produced by igneous fusion, and vomited forth like so many Etnas? If any one of them has had such an origin they all have, since their composition, lines, and features are mostly uniform. These coincidences are so much at variance