lubility, proper soil for
plants is supplied from the gradual resolution of the solid parts;
fertility in those soils arises from the mixture of different elementary
substances; and stability is procured to that vegetable world, by the
induration of certain bodies, those rocks and stones, which protect the
softer masses of clay and soil.

In this manner, also, will easily be explained those natural appearances
which diversify the surface of the earth for the use of plants and
animals, and those objects which beautify the face of nature for the
contemplation of mankind. Such are, the distinctions of mountains and
valleys, of lakes and rivers, of dry barren deserts and rich watered
plains, of rocks which stand apparently unimpaired by the lapse of time,
and sands which fluctuate with the winds and tides. All these are the
effects of steady causes; each of these has its proper purpose in the
system of the earth; and in that system is contained another, which is
that of living growing bodies, and of animated beings.

But, besides this, man, the intellectual being, has, in this subject of
the mineral kingdom, the means of gratifying the desire of knowledge, a
faculty by which he is distinguished from the animal, and by which he
improves his mind in knowing causes. Man is not satisfied, like the
brute, in seeing things which are; he seeks to know how things have
been, and what they are to be. It is with pleasure that he observes
order and regularity in the works of nature, instead of being disgusted
with disorder and confusion; and he is made happy from the appearance of
wisdom and benevolence in the design, instead of being left to suspect
in the Author of nature, any of that imperfection which he finds in
himself.

Let us now take a view of that system of mineral economy, in which may
be perceived every mark of order and design, of provident wisdom and
benevolence.

We have been endeavouring to prove, that all the continents and islands
of this globe had been raised above the surface of the ocean; we have
also aimed at pointing out the cause of this translation of matter, as
well as of the general solidity of that which is raised to our view;
but however this theory shall be received, no person of observation can
entertain a doubt, that all, or almost all we see of this earth, had
been originally formed at the bottom of the sea. We have now another
object in our view; this is to investigate the operations of the globe,