But, Is a
theory of the earth to be formed upon such a negative observation? and,
Is there any particular in this mountain, that may not be shown in
others of which the origin is not in any degree doubtful?
It is not to be disputed, that there are parts of the solid body of our
earth which may be considered as primary or prior, compared with others
that are posterior, in relation to the time of their formation, and much
less changed with regard to the state in which they had been originally
formed:--But it is here denied, that there are any parts of the earth
which do not appear to have had the same origin with all the rest, so
far as this consists in the collection of materials deposited at the
bottom of the waters[21]; for there is no solid mass of land that may
not be traced to this origin, either from its composition, or from its
local connection with other masses, the nature of which in this respect
are known. We have already given examples of this from sufficient
authority. The evidence, therefore, of those primary masses being
original in relation to the natural operations of the globe, is reduced
to this assertion, that there are no vestiges of organised bodies to be
found in those primary masses.
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