But, in order to produce the present continents, the destruction of a
former vegetable world was necessary; consequently, the production of
our present continents must have required a time which is indefinite.
In like manner, if the former continents were of the same nature as the
present, it must have required another space of time, which also is
indefinite, before they had come to their perfection as a vegetable
world.
We have been representing the system of this earth as proceeding with
a certain regularity, which is not perhaps in nature, but which is
necessary for our clear conception of the system of nature. The
system of nature is certainly in rule, although we may not know every
circumstance of its regulation. We are under a necessity, therefore, of
making regular suppositions, in order to come at certain conclusions
which may be compared with the present state of things.
It is not necessary that the present land should be worn away and
wasted, exactly in proportion as new land shall appear; or, conversely,
that an equal proportion of new land should always be produced as the
old is made to disappear.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194