7. Contrasts marked the beginning and close of the first two divisions. If we follow this order in this third division, we must wait until the Devonian forests showed the renewed touch of the creative hand, giving life in contrast to inorganic matter, with which the globe started into form, and took its position as a planet of our system. Such is the Neptunian theory in part, touching first causes in cosmology.
Section 3.
The well established Fact of Science look toward, and defend this Theory.
1. In the relative quantities of sedimentary and lava rock. By far the greater portion of rock of all lands is sedimentary. Lava is the exception. If the source of supply is an internal sea, 7,880 miles in diameter, the reverse of this would most likely be true.
2. In the relative order of the two kinds of rock. Except in very restricted locations, sedimentary rock is at the bottom, in the middle, and at the top of the earth’s crust. Lava has never been found as an integral part of the supposed bottom rock.
3. The constituents of all rock indicate the water theory. All rock is known to be a combination of gases. The coal is admitted to have been gathered from the air, through the agency of vegetation. There are three ways gases may be combined into rock:
(1.) Through the agency of water alone. Such was the primitive granite; and such are the modern stalactites.
(2.) Through the agency of diatoms living in the water. These creatures are absorbents. They absorb the minerals of the water, and form stone. Such are lime, chalk and coral.
(3.) They may be absorbed into vegetation, and then hidden away in the waters, until changed into coal.
(4.) Sandstone and conglomerate are formed from eroded material of other rocks.
(5.) The melting of sedimentary rock in proximity to burning beds of coal has formed the lava.