COAL MINES OF

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several other eminent philosophers and natural-ists have entertained similar notions.

Mr. Kirwan is of opinion that the globe toa certain extent was originally liquid; andthat the different mountains and rocks, bothstratified and unstratified, with valleys, &c.were produced by the evolution of the earthupon its axis, when its upper menstruum wasin a state of solution.

Dr. Hutton does not appear to give anyelucidation as to the manner in which theearth and sea were originally produced, butascribes the formation of hills and valleys tothe perpetual operation of rivers and currentsin general, which carry along with them thesoil, over, and through which they pass, andultimately lodge it in large accumulations inthe ocean, which become consolidated intostrata by the action of subterraneous fire.

Every day certainly presents us with innu-merable instances to prove the operation ofwater upon the soil through which it passes,and the encroachments made upon one coast,while, by the same process of nature, simul-taneous lodgments are made upon another;and if we consider the perpetual revolution ofthe earth upon its axis, and the effect of theimmense bodies of water which are continually