CONTENTS
OF
THE FIRST VOLUME.
| Page | ||
| [THE Theory of the Earth] | [1] | |
| Proof of the Theory of the Earth. | ||
| [Article I.] | On the Formation of the Planets | [69] |
| [Article II.] | From the System of Whiston | [115] |
| [Article III.] | From the System of Burnet | [128] |
| [Article IV.] | From the System of Woodward | [131] |
| [Article V.] | Exposition of some other Systems | [137] |
| [Article VI.] | Geography | [155] |
| [Article VII.] | On the Production of the Strata, or Beds of the Earth | [183] |
| [Article VIII.] | On Shells and other Marine Productions found in the interior Parts of the Earth | [219] |
| [Article IX.] | On the Inequalities of the Surface of the Earth | [262] |
| [Article X.] | Of Rivers | [298] |
PREFACE.
We should certainly be guilty of a gross absurdity if, in an age like the present, we were to enter into an elaborate discussion on the advantages to be derived from the study of Natural History; the ancients recommended it as useful, instructive, and entertaining; and the moderns have so far pursued and cultivated this first of sciences, that it is now admitted to be the source of universal instruction and knowledge; where every active mind may find subjects to amuse and delight, and the artist a never failing field to enrich his glowing imagination.
It would have been singular if, on such a subject, a number of authors had not submitted the produce of their observations and labour; many have written upon Natural Philosophy, but the Comte de Buffon stands eminently distinguished among them; he has entered into a minute investigation, and drawn numberless facts from unwearied observations far beyond any other, and this he has accomplished in a style fully accordant with the importance of his subject. Ray, Linnæus, Rheaumur, and other of his cotemporaries, deserve much credit for their classing of animals, vegetables, &c. but it was Buffon alone who entered into a description of their nature, habits, uses, and properties. In his Theory of the Earth he has displayed a wonderful ingenuity, and shewn the general order of Nature with a masterly hand, although he may be subject to some objections for preferring physical reasonings on general
causes, rather than allowing aught to have arisen from supernatural agency, or the will of the Almighty. In this he has followed the example of all great philosophers, who seem unwilling to admit that the formation of any part of the Universe is beyond their comprehension.