strata. The chief fossils which are found in this stratum are ammonite of a tolerably large size; and a smaller species of an oval form, different from those found in any other strata.

Immediately on this stratum is placed that of the soft chalk, containing silex in the state of sand with interposed layers, and large, interspersed, and irregular nodules of black flint. The fossils of this stratum differ in a very remarkable degree from those of all the inferior strata.

On this chalk is deposited a thick stratum of white sand, over which is a sand of a darker color, and above this various thin strata, or patches, of marl, shells, sandstone, coarse limestone, fragments of shells, pebbles, &c.

MOSAIC CREATION.

Even from this slight and imperfect sketch it appears that the formation of the exterior part of this globe, and the creation of its several inhabitants, must have been the work of a vast length of time, and must have been effected at several distant periods.

In the first of these periods, the granitic and other primary rocks were separated from the water. That this se paration took place, as is stated in the scriptural record, previous to the creation of vegetables and animals, is evident, from no remains of any organised substance having been ever found in any of these substances.

In the next period we are informed, by scripture, that the creation of vegetables took place. Almost every cir cumstance in the situation and disposition of coal accords with this order of ercation; excepting that in many of the coal measures, the alternating limestones are full of the remains of shells. But on the other hand it must be observed, that, as the formation of coal may have taken place soon after the creation of vegetables, and have con. tinued even to a very late period, so, consequently, the accompanying strata may vary materially as to their contents. In the later formation, the remains of marine animals may be expected to be met with; but in the earliest formation, that which is found on granite, and accompanied by porphyry, green-stone, &c. it is probable that no remains of animals would be found, and fair proof would be yielded, of an accordance, in this instance, between the order of neration as related by Moses, and the

order in which the investing strata of the earth are disposed.

The creation of the succeeding pe riod, according to the scriptural rela tion, was that of the inhabitants of the water and of the air. In agreement with this order of creation, are the contents of all the numerous strate lying above those already mentioned; including the blue clay which we have seen disposed in many places almost at the surface. In all these strata no remains are to be found but those of the inhabitants of the waters; excepting those of birds which exist, though rare ly, in some particular spots. But in none of these strata has a single relic been met with which can be supposed to have belonged to any terrestrial animal.

In the next period it is stated, that the beasts of the earth, cattle, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth, were made. The agreement of the situations in which the remains of land animals are found with this stated order of creation, is exceeding exact; since it is only the surface, or in some superficial stratum, or in comparatively some lately formed deposition, that any remains of these animals are to be found.

The creation of man, we are inform ed, was the work of the last period and in agreement with his having beeD created after all the other inhabitants of the earth is the fact, that not a single decided fossil relic of man has been discovered.

This last circumstance will be con sidered by many as contradictory of the account of the deluge, by which the earth, with man, was said to have been destroyed; since in the remains of the deluged world man might be expected to be found in subterraneous situations. The fact however is, that, although no remains of man are found, the surface of the earth, which is inhabited by man, displays, even at the present day, manifest and decided marks of the mechanical agency of violent currents of water. Nor is there a sin. gle stratum of all those which have been mentioned which does not exhibit undeniable proofs of its having been broken, and even dislocated, by soins tremendous power, which has acted with considerable violence on this planet, since the deposition of the strate of even the latest formation.

THE END,

GENERAL