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act on the sea at its bottom, as storms drive the atmosphere atits bottom, where we dwell, and if the column of the sea beseveral hundred fathoms deep, the impulsive force of the waterfluctuating at the bottom will certainly be increased in theratio of its depth and base; consequently, a sea wave continuedtowards the bottom has more power, owing to its depth, thanthe same wave on the surface. 5. The primeval ocean, there-fore, must have been able to tear away rocks of enormous bulkfrom the hills, to carry them along in its course, and to strewthem over the soil in various directions; also to disturb thewhole of its own bed. 6. These changes it effected in thesame way as the atmosphere acts at its bottom on sand, wood,bark, leaves, feathers, rags, and many other such substances:for when the air is set in motion by a tempest, these bodies arecaught up and carried aloft, as though they were really lighterthan itself. This appears to be partly owing to the height ofthe atmosphere, which, when set in motion by the weight of itsown column, imparts a power to the storm, like that of a largebody in motion. 7. Many examples of this principle are af-forded by embankments, or water dykes, formed by a doubleplanking, filled with heaps of stones : thus, whenever the waterrises three or four ells, which generally happens in the spring,it has sufficient power to overthrow the dyke, and carry awaythe stones sometimes to a distance of above a hundred yards.This is owing to the height of the water. Hence, in places inSweden at a great elevation from the sea, as in the district ofOrebro , which is between the two seas, the fragments of rockare larger and more numerous than elsewhere; for they couldbe conveyed thither by the following waves, but not higher,because they would be nearer the surface.

From these facts we may infer that the inequalities in thesurface of our present soil were caused by this ocean; and thatall the uneven formations of mud, shells, sand, and stones,were produced by the waters fluctuating at its bottom. Hencewould arise, 1. So many hills of different kinds and shapes.2. So many strata in them. 3. Many mountainous ridges,stretching for eight or ten miles, and consisting partly of sand,partly of pebbles, and partly of large rocks. 4. A roundnessin the very pebbles of which these vast ridges are composed;