i

AC

7 595 1.2

SION COLLEGE
LIBRARY.

SOLD BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS 1938.

Lit comm.
Hodgson
7-5-39
38627

CONTENTS.

LETTER XXXII.

DIFFICULTY of comprehending the process of na-
ture in the formation of mountains---The mountains
of granite, or primary mountains, probably pro-
duced by crystallization within the ocean when in a
fluid state---yet mountains not highest at the Equator.
LETTER XXXIL

Effect of contemplating the, Alpine mountains---Mont
Blanc the highest mountain in the world---Different
states of the atmosphere at different heights of moun-
tains---Their atmospherical phænomena owing, in
great part, to electricity---Nature and properties of
the electrical fluid-Phlogiston, fire, and electric fluid,
modifications of the same element.

LETTER XXXIV.

Newton's æther similar to electricity---electricity un-

knownto the ancients---some of its properties known

to Descartes---electric phenomena of the atmo-

sphere---subject to a flux and reflux like the sea---

the properties of conductors---causes of rain, hail,

snow---the returning stroke---causes of whirlwinds

and water spouts---Influence of electricity on plants

and animals.

VOL. II.

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LETTER

LETTER XXXV.

The experimental method of philosophising unknown
to the ancients---its superiority to the ancient method
of speculation-physical principles not yet ascertained.

LETTER XXXVI.

Of the Loadstone---how far its properties were known
to the ancients---Modern discoveries concerning it---
Theories to explain its phænomena---wherein it re-
sembles, and wherein it differs from electricity.

LETTER XXXVII.

No bodies in nature perfectly solid-the impenetrability
of matter denied by some philosophers-all the parts of
nature connected---The integral parts, and primary
agents, imperfectly known.

LETTER XXXVIII.

:

Of combustible substances---opinions concerning their
formation---characters of them---their powerful ac-
tion within the earth---origin of coal.

LETTER XΧΧΙΧ.

Of phænomena caused by the action of fire and water

within the earth---causes of volcanic eruptions---

cause of the explosion of gunpowder, and of aurum

fulminans---Earthquakes from internal fires---from

LETTER XL.

On Volcanos---further remarks on the causes of their
eruption---different kinds of lava---Basaltæ---their
history---different history of their formation---The
volcanic theory best founded.

LETTER XLI.

Proofs of great and general convulsions of nature---
new mountains produced by volcanic generation---
a perpetual circulation of elements in nature---vol-
canic eruptions probably conducive to this---general
conclusion concerning the formation of mountains---
enumeration of different lavas.

LETTER XLII.

The true idea of time---traditionary account of the
age of the world uncertain---notions of the ancients
concerning it---the æra of the creation not to be as-
certained by the Mosaic history---the account given
by Moses not intended to be philosophical, but po-
pular, and probably in part symbolical.

LETTER XLIII.

Much of the language of Scripture to be understood

symbolically---The free use of reason necessary in

interpreting Scriptures, on account of the popular

manner in which they are written, and the variations

which time has occasioned in the sacred books..

LETTER

:

LETTER XLIV.

Of the deluge---proofs of the belief of it in the most

remote antiquity---improbability of its having been

universal---not necessary to suppose it universal from

the language of Scripture---The doctrine of a chaos

not peculiar to Moses---notions of the ancients con-

cerning the origin of things---symbolical represen-

tations of the first principles of nature.

LETTER XLV.

Freedom of inquiry distinguished from licentious scep-

ticism---A deluge believed by the Hindoos, Egyp-

tians, and other ancient nations---Mr. Bryant's no-

tion, that the deluge is the foundation of most of the

ancient fables, examined---Further considerations to

prove that the deluge was partial.

LETTER XLVI.

The folly of implicit faith---speculation on the system

of the world not injurious to religion---the history

of the arts does not disprove the high antiquity of

the world---abundantly proved from natural phæ-

nomena---the highest mountains once islands in the

ocean---their materials belong to the sea.

LETTER XLVII.

Changes which this globe has probably undergone

from a universal convulsion---proofs that continents

now separate were formerly united---different ex-

planations of the longevity of the patriarchs before

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the