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CHAP. II.

REFLECTIONS ON TIIF, ORIGIN ANDFORMATION OF THE ISLAND.

The appearance of a volcanic islandin the middle of the ocean, so far re-moved from any other land, is an ob-ject that excites curiosity and attention.It has been supposed by some geo-logists, that such islands are neverproduced far out at sea. or in situa-tions unconnected with other shores.But here we have an example of thecontrary, in an island, which, fromits distance, cannot be supposed tohave any connection with the shoresof other lands ; and which has beenraised by some extraordinary effort ofNature, from the bottom of a vastunfathomable ocean Its remote andsolitary situation, and the wildness and

singularity