4 -

A DISCOURSE

thro’ the whole terrestrial globe, the ingenious Dr. Woodward attributesto a total difsolution of the materials which constituted the original fabrickof the Antediluvian World, when the commotion of the waters begin-ning to calm and relax, the disunited floating particles promiscuouslyblended, sunk down, and subsiding according their specific gravities,settled in the beds and strata we now every where find. But of this, andother effects of the deluge, see the learned Doctor’s Efsay b .

I begin with what commonly first presents itself under the removedturf, and which, for having never been violated by the spade, or receivedany foreign mixture, we will call Virgin-Earth ; not that of the Chymists,and the searchers after the Philosopher’s Stone, but what is found lying

Ft. In.

Brought over. 45 0

15. Marl still more grofs ... 2 6

16. Very fine vitrifiable sand, mixed with fofsil sea shells, which had no ad-herence with the sand, and whose colours and polish were perfect .. 1 G

17. Very small gravel, or fine marl powder . 2 0

IS. Marl in the form of hard stone . 3 6

19. Coarse powdered marl . 1 6

20. Hard stone, caleinable like marble .. 1 G

21. A gray vitrifiable sand, mixed with fofsil shells, particularly oysters and

muscles, which had no adherence with the sand, and which were not petrified 3 0

22. White vitrifiable sand mixed with the like shells . 2 0

23. Sand streaked red and white, and mixed with the like shells . 1 0

.24. Larger vitrifiable sand, mixed with the like shells . 1 0

25. A fine gray, vitrifiable sand, mixed with the like shells . 8 6

26. Very fine fat sand, with very few shells . 3 0

27. Brown free stone ... 3 o

28. Vitrifiable sand, streaked red and white . 4 0

29. White vitrifiable sand . 3 6

30 Reddish vitrifiable sand . 15 0

Total depth 101 0

b In the year 1695, Dr. Woodward published his celebrated work, entitled “ An Efsaytowards a Natural History of the Earth,” of which Mr. Evelyn has given us a veryjust and concise account. The Doctor’s theory met with many warm opponents, whichobliged him to engage deeply in the defence of it; and so fondly was he attached to hisdoctrine, that he founded a Lecture in the University ©f Cambridge to be read thereindelence of it, which he endowed with a salary of one hundred pounds per annum. Theingenious and learned Dr. Middleton was appointed the first Lecturer.