Miscellaneous discourses concerning the dissolution and changes of the world wherein the primitive chaos and creation, the general deluge, fountains, formed stones, sea-shells found in the earth, subterraneous trees, mountains, earthquakes, vulcanoes, the universal conflagration and future state, are largely discussed and examined / by John Ray ...

SECT. I.

••he Waters again naturally overflowing and covering the Earth.

THE First Question is, Whether there be any thing in Nature, which may ••ove and demonstrate, or probably argue ••nd infer a future Dissolution? To which I ••swer, That I think, there is nothing in ••ature which doth necessarily demonstrate future Dissolution: but that Position of the ••eripatetick Schools may, for ought I know, ••e true Philosophy, Posito ordinario Dei con∣••rsu mundus posset durare in aeternum. Sup∣••sing the ordinary concourse of God [with ••econd Causes] the World might endure for ••ver. But though a future Dissolution by

Natural Causes, be not demonstrable; y•• some possible, if not probable, Accidents the•• are, which, if they should happen, might i••¦fer such a Dissolution. Those are Four, T•• Possibility of

• 1. The Waters again overflowing and ••¦vering the Earth.
• 2. The Extinction of the Sun.
• 3. The Eruption of the Central Fire •• closed in the Earth.
• 4. The Dryness and Inflammability of t•• Earth under the Torrid Zone, and the Er••¦tion of all the Vulcano's at once.

But before I treat of these, it will not amiss, a little to consider the old Argum•• for the Worlds Dissolution, and that is, daily Consenescence and Decay: which, if can be proved, will in process of time, ••¦cessarily infer a Dissolution. For as the ••¦postle saith in another case, That which ••¦cayeth and waxeth old is ready to va•• away, Heb. 8.13. That which continua•• wastes, will at last be quite consume•• that which daily grows weaker and weak•• will in time lose all its force. So the A•• and Stature and Strength of Man, and •• other Animals, every Generation decreasi•• they will in the end come to nothing. A•• that all these, and all other things do s••¦cessively diminish and decay in all Nature

Perfections and Qualities, as well as Moral, ••th been the received Opinion, not only of ••e Vulgar, but even of Philosophers ••emselves from Antiquity down to our ••es Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 7. c. 16. In ple∣••m autem cuncto mortalium generi minorem ••dies mensuram staturae propemodum observa∣••r: rarosque patribus proceriores consumente ••ertatem seminum exustione; in cujus vices ••nc vergat aevum.

Terra malos homines nunc educat atque pu sillos. Juvenal. Sat.

••nd Gellius Noct. Att. lib. 3. c. 10. Et ••nc quasi jam mundo senescente rerum atque ••ominum decrementa sunt. I might accumu∣••te places out of the Ancients and Moderns •• this purpose, but that hath been already ••one by others.

But this Opinion, how general soever it ••as formerly, was inconsiderately and with∣••ut sufficient ground, taken up at first; and ••fterwards without due examination embra∣••ed and followed; as appears by Dr. Hake∣••il's Apology, wherein it is so fundamen∣••ally confuted; that it hath since been re∣••ected by all considerate Persons. For that Author hath at large demonstrated, that nei∣••her the pretended decay of the Heavenly

Bodies in regard of Motion, Light, Heat •• Influence: or of any of the Elements: n••¦ther the pretended decay of Animals, a•• particularly and especially of Mankind, i•• regard of Age and Duration, of Streng•• and Stature, of Arts and Wits, of Manne•• and Conversation, do necessarily infer a•• decay in the World, or any tendency to Dissolution. The only Objection agai•• this Opinion, is the Longaevity of the An••¦diluvian Patriarchs, and of some also (I me•• the first) of the Postdiluvian. For immed••¦ately after the Flood the Age of Man d•• gradually decrease every Generation in gre•• proportions; so that had it continued so to •• at that rate, the Life of Man had soon ca•• to nothing. Why it should at last settle •• Threescore and Ten Years, as a mean Ter•• and there continue so many Ages, witho•••• any further Change and Diminution, is, confess, a Mystery too hard for me to revea•• However, there must be a great and extr••¦ordinary Change at the time of the Floo•• either in the Temperature of the Air, •• Quality of the Food, or in the Temper an•• Constitution of the Body of Man, which i••¦duced this decrement of Age. That th•• Temper and Constitution of the Bodies •• the Antediluvians was more firm and d••¦rable than that of their Posterity after th••

Flood; and that this Change of the Term of Life was not wholly to be attributed to Mi∣racle, may both be demonstrated from the gradual decrease of the Age of the Postdilu∣vians. For had it been miraculous, why should not the Age of the very first Genera∣tion after the Flood have been reduced to that Term? And what account can we give of their holding out for some Generations against the inconveniencies of the Air, or de∣teriority of Diet, but the strength and firm∣ness of their Constitutions? which yet was originally owing to the Temperature of the Air, or Quality of their Diet, or both; see∣ing a Change in these (for there was no other visible Cause) did by degrees prevail against, and impair it. What influence the lying so long of the Water upon the Earth might have upon the Air and Earth, in chan∣ging them for the worse, and rendring them more unfit for the maintenance and continu∣ation of Humane Life, I will not now dispute. But whatever might be the Cause of the Lon∣gaevity of the Antediluvians, and the contra∣cting of the Age of the Postdiluvians, it is ma∣nifest, that the Age of these did at the last settle, as I said, at or about the Term of Threescore and Ten, and hath there conti∣nued for Three Thousand Years without any diminution.

I proceed now to the Accidents which might possibly, in process of Time, infer a Dissolution of the World.

1. The possibility of the Water, in process of Time again overflowing and covering o•• the Earth.

For, First of all, The Rains continually washing down and carrying away Earth from the Mountains, it is necessary, that as wel•• the height as the bulk of them should an∣swerably decrease; and that they do so, i•• evident in Experience. For, as I have else where noted, I have been informed by a Gen∣tleman of good Credit, that whereas th•• Steeple of Craich in the Peak of Derbyshire in the memory of some Old Men then liv∣ing [1672.] could not have been see•• from a certain Hill lying between Hopton an•• Wirksworth, now not only the Steeple, bu•• a great part of the Body of the Church may•• from thence be seen; which comes to pas•• by the sinking of a Hill between the Church and place of view: a parallel example where to the Learned Dr. Plot gives us, in a Hill be¦tween Sibbertoft and Hasleby in Northampton¦shire, Hist. Nat. Stafford. p. 113. And thu•• will they continue to do so long as there fall•• any Rains, and as they retain any declivi∣ty, that is, till they be levelled with the Plains.

2. By reason of the abundance of Earth thus washed off the Mountains by Shots of Rain, and carried down with the Floods to the Sea; about the out-lets of the Rivers, where the violent Motion of the Water ceases, settling to the bottom, and raising it up by degrees above the Surface of the Water, the Land continually gains upon, and drives back the Sea: The Egyptian Pharos or Light∣house of Old Time stood in an Island a good distance from Land, which is now joyned to the Continent, the interjacent Fretum having been filled up by the Sill brought down by the River Nilus in the time of the Flood sub∣siding there. Indeed the Ancient Historians do truly make the whole Land of Egypt to have been 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Gift of the Ri∣ver, and by this means gained from the Sea. Seneca in the Sixth Book of his Nat. Quest. chap. 26. gives this account, Egyptus ex ••imo tota concrevit. Tantum enim (si Ho∣mero fides) aberat à continenti Pharos, quantum navis diurno cursu metiri plenis lata velis po∣test. Sed continenti admota est. Turbidus enim defluens Nilus, multúmque secum limum trahens, & eum subinde apponens prioribus terris, Aegyptum annuo incremento semper ul∣tra tulit. Inde pinguis & limosi soli est, nec ulla intervalla in se habet; sed crevit in soli∣dum arescente limo, quo pressa erat & cedens

structura, &c. That is, All Egypt is but a Concretion of Mud. For (if Homer may be believed) the Pharos was as far distan•• from the Continent, as a Ship with full sai•• could run in a days time; but now it is joyne•• to it. For Nilus flowing with troubled Wa¦ters brings down a great deal of mud and Silt and adding to it the old land, carries o•• Egypt further and further still by an annua•• increase. Hence it is of a fat and mudd•• soil, and hath no pores or cavities in it. A•• this reason he gives why it is not troubled wit•• Earthquakes. Thus by reason of the gre•• Rivers, Po, Athesis, Brenta, and others, whic•• empty themselves into the Lagune, or Sha••¦lows about Venice in Italy, and in times o•• floods bring down thither great store •• earth, those Lagune are in danger to, be i•• time atterrated, and with the City situate i•• the midst of them, added to the firm Lan•• Thus in the Carnarg, or Isle that the Rive•• Rhosne makes near Arles in Provence, the•• hath been so much lately gained from th•• Sea, that the Watch tower had, in the memo¦ry of some Men, been removed forwar•• three times, as we were there informed And it seems to me probable, that the who•• Low Countreys were thus gained from th•• Se••. For Varenius in his Geography tel us, That sinking a Well at Amsterdam, a••

near an hundred foot depth, they met with a bed or floor of Sand and Cockle-shells; whence it is evident, one would think, that of old time the bottom of the Sea lay so deep, and that that hundred foot thickness of Earth above the Sand, arose from the Se∣diments of the Waters of those great Rivers, the Rhine, Scheld, Maes, &c. which there∣abouts emptied themselves into the Sea, and in times of Floods brought down with them abundance of Earth from the upper grounds. The same Original doubtless had that great Level of the Fens, running through the Isle of Ely, Holland in Lincoln∣shire and Marshland in Norfolk. That there hath been no small quantity of Earth thus brought down, appears also in that along the Channels of most great Rivers, as for example, the Thames and Trent in England, especially near their Mouths or Out-lets, between the Mountains and higher grounds on each side, there are large Levels and Plains; which seem to have been originally part of the Sea, raised up, and atterrated by Earth and Silt brought down by those Rivers in great Floods.

Now the Rain thus continually washing away, and carrying down Earth from the Mountains and higher Grounds, and raising up the Vallies near the Sea, as long as there

is any descent for the Rivers, so long will they continue to run, carry forward the low ground, and streighten the Sea, which also by its working, by reason of the declivity, ea∣sily carries down the Earth towards the lower and middle part of its Channel [alveus] and by degrees may fill it up. Moreover, the Clouds still pouring down Rain upon the Earth, it will descend as far as there is any declivity; and where that fails, it will stagnate, and joyning with Sea, cover first the skirts of the Earth, and so by degrees higher and higher, till the Whole be co∣vered.

To this we may add, that some assistance toward the levelling of the Mountains, may be contributed by the Courses and Catar∣racts of subterraneous Rivers washing away the Earth continually, and weakning their foundations, so by degrees causing them to founder, subside, and fall in. That the Moun∣tains do daily diminish, and many of them sink; that the Vallies are raised; that the Skirts of the Sea are atterrated, no man can deny. That these things must needs in pro∣cess of time have a very considerable and great effect, is as evident; which what else can it be, then that we have mentioned?

Varenius in his Geography putting the Question, Whether the Ocean may again

come to cover all the Earth, and make an Universal Deluge; answers, That we may conceive a way how this may naturally come to pass. The manner thus, Supposing that the Sea by its continual working doth un∣dermine and wash away the Shores and Cliffs that are not rocky, and carry the Earth thereof down towards the middle, or deep∣est parts of its Channel, and so by degrees fill it up. By doing this perpetually, it may, in a long succession of Time, carry all away, and it self cover the whole Earth. That it doth thus subvert and wash away the Shores in many places is in experience true. About Dort in Holland and Dullart in Friesland, and in Zealand many Villages, some say Three Hundred, have been drown'd by the encroachments of the Sea, as some of their Towers and Steeples still extant above the Waters do testifie. On the Tuscan Shore, Kircher tell us, that not far from Ligorn he himself had observed a whole City under Water, that had been in former times drown'd by the Inundation of the Sea. And over against Puteoli in the Sinus of Baia, he tells us, that in the bottom of the Sea, there are not only Houses, but the traces and footsteps of the Streets of some City mani∣festly discernable. And in the County of Suffolk, almost the whole Town of Donewick,

with the adjacent Lands, hath been under∣mined and devoured by the Sea.

This washing away of the Shores is, I conceive, in great measure to be attributed to the fore-mentioned streightning and cut∣ting short of the Sea, by the Earth and Silt that in the times of Floods are brought down into it by the Rivers. For the Vulgar have a Proverbial Tradition, That what the Sea loses in one place, it gains in another. And both together do very handsomly make out and explain, how the Earth in a Natural way, may be reduced to its primitive state in the Creation, when the Waters covered the Land. But this according to the lei∣surely proceedings of Nature, would not come to pass in many Ages, I might say, in Ages of Ages: Nay, some think, that those vast Ridges and Chains of Mountains, which run through the middle of the Continents are by reason of their great height, weight and solidity, too great a Morsel ever to be devoured by the Jaws of the Sea. But whe∣ther they be or not, I need not dispute though I incline to the Negative, because this is not the dissolution the Apostle here speaks of, which must be by Fire.

But I must not here dissemble an Obje∣ction I see may be made, and that is, That the Superficies of the Earth is so far from being

depressed, that it is continually elevated. For in ancient Buildings, we see the Earth raised high above the foot of them. So the Pantheon at Rome, which was at first ascen∣ded up to by many [eight] Steps, is now descended down to by as many. The Basis and whole Pedestal of Trajan's Pillar there was buryed in the Earth.

Dr. Tancred Robinson in the year 1683. ob∣serv'd in some places, the Walls of old Rome, to lye Thirty and Forty Foot under ground; so that he thinks the greatest part of the Remains of that Famous Ancient City is still buried, and undiscovered; the prodigi∣ous heaps of Ruines and Rubbish inclosed within the Vineyards and Gardens being not half dig'd up or search't, as they might be, the tops of Pillars peeping up and down. And in our own Country we find many Ancient Roman Pavements at some depth under ground. My Learned and Ingenious Friend Mr. Edward Lloyd, not long since in∣form'd of one, that himself had seen buried deep in the Church-yard at Wychester in Glo∣cestershire. Nay, the Earth in time will grow over and bury the Bodies of great Timber Trees, that have been fallen, and lye long upon it.

To which I answer, As to Buildings, 1. The Ruines and Rubbish of the Cities where∣in

in they stood, might be conceived to bury them as deep as they now lye under ground. And by this means it's likely the Roman Pavements we find, might come to be covered to that height we mentioned▪ For that the places where they occur, were anciently Roman Towns subverted and ru∣ined, may easily be proved; as particularly in this we mention'd, from the Termination Chester; whatever Town or Village hath that addition to its Name having been anci∣ently a Roman Town or Camp: Chester seeming to be nothing but Castra.

2. It is to be consider'd, That weighty Buildings do in time overcome the resistance of the foundation, unless it be a solid Rock; and sink into the ground.

Nay, the very soft Water, lying long upon the bottoms of the Sea or Pools, doth so compress and sadden them by its weight, that the very Roads that are continually beaten with Horses and Carriages, are not so firm and sad: And in the Sea, the nearer you dig to the Low Water Mark, still the sadder and firmer it is: and it's probable still, the further the sadder; which seems to be confirmed by the strong fixing of Anchors. [This firmness of the Sand, by the weight of the incumbent Water, the people inhabi∣ting near the Sea are so sensible of, that I

have seen them boldly ride through the Water cross a Channel three Miles broad, before the Tide was out, when in some places it reacht to the Horses Belly.] A semblance whereof, we have in Ponds, which being newly dig'd, the Water that runs into them, sinks soon into the Earth, and they become dry again, till after some time, by often filling, the Earth becomes so solid, through the weight of the Water, that they leak no more, but hold Water up to the brink. Wittie Scarborough Spaw, p. 86.

What force a gentle, if continual pres∣sure hath, we may understand also by the Roots of Trees, which we see will some∣times pierce through the Chinks of Stone Walls, and in time make great Cracks and Rifts in them; nay, will get under their very foundations. The tender Roots of Herbs overcome the resistance of the ground, and make their way through Clay or Gra∣vel. By the by, we may here take notice, that one reason why plowing, harrowing, sifting, or any comminution of the Earth ren∣ders it more fruitful, is, because the Roots of Grass, Corn, and other Herbs can, with more facility, creep abroad, and multiply their Fibres in the light and loose Earth.

That the rotting of Grass and other Herbs upon the ground, may in some places raise

the Superficies of it, I will not deny; th•• is, in Gardens and Enclosures, where th•• ground is rank, and no Cattel are admitte•• to eat off the Fogg or long Grass: but elsewhe•• the raising of the Superficies of the Eart•• is very little and inconsiderable; and not at all, unless in level grounds, which ha•• but little declivity: For otherwise the So•• would by this time have come to be of a ver•• great depth, which we find to be but shallo•• Nor do I think, that so much as the Trunk of fall'n Trees, are by this means covered but rather, that they sink by their ow•• weight, in time overcoming the resistance o•• the Earth, which without much difficult•• yields, being soaked and softned by th•• Rains insinuating into it, and keeping i•• continually moist in Winter time. But •• these Buildings be situate in Valleys, it i•• clear, that the Earth brought down from th•• Mountains by Rain, may serve to land the•• up. Again, the Superficies of the Earth may be raised near the Sea Coast, by they continual blowing up of Sand by the Winds▪ This happens often in Norfolk, and in Corn∣wall, where I observed a fair Church, viz. that of the Parish called Lalant, which is the Mother Church to St. Ives, and above two Miles distant from the Sea, almost covered with the Sand; little being extant above it, but

the Steeple and ridge of the Roof. Nay, a great part of St. Ives it self lyes buried in ••he Sand: and I was told there, that in ••ne night there had been a whole Street of Houses so covered with Sand, that in the morning they were fain to dig their way out of their houses through it. All along the Western Shoar of Wales, there are great Hills of Sand, thus blown up by the Wind. We observed also upon the Coast of Flanders and Holland the like Sandy Hills or Downs. But there are not many places liable to this Accident, viz. where the bottom of the Sea is Sandy, and where the Wind most frequently blows from off the Sea; where the Wind sets from the Land toward the Sea this happens not; where it is indifferent, it must in reason carry off as much as it brings on, unless other Causes hinder.

A Digression concerning the D••¦luge in the Days of Noah.

BEfore I proceed to the Second Partic••¦lar, being as it were, led and invite thereto by what hath been said, I shall mak•• a Digression, to discourse a little concerni•• the general Deluge in the days of Noah. •• shall not enlarge much upon it, so as t•• take in all that might be said, but confir•• my self to Three Heads. 1. I shall confir•• the Truth of the History of the Deluge re¦corded in the Scripture, by the Testimonie of some ancient Heathen Writers. 2. I shal•• consider the Natural Causes or Means where∣by it was effected. 3. I shall enquire con∣cerning the Consequents of it, what consi∣derable effects it had upon the Earth.

First then, I shall produce some Testimo∣nies of Ancient Heathen Writers concerning the Deluge.

The First shall be that of Berosus, recor∣ded by Josephus, in the fifth Chapter of his first Book of Jewish Antiquities, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. That is, Berosus the ••aldaean relating the Story of the Deluge ••ites thus. It is reported, that there is ••he part of the Vessel [the Ark] still re∣••ining at the Mountain of the Gordyaeans; ••d that certain persons scraping off the Bi∣••nen or Pitch, carry it away; and that ••n make use of it for Amulets, to drive ••ay Diseases.

A Second Testimony the same Josephus ••ords us in the same place, and that is, of Ni∣••aus Damascenus; who, saith he, gives us •• History of the [Ark and Deluge] in ••se words, About Minyas in Armenia there a great Mountain called Baris; to which ••s reported, that many flying in the time of Deluge were saved, & that a certain person ••s carried thither in an Ark, which rested the top of it; the reliques of the Tim∣•• whereof were preserved there a long ••e. Besides these, Josephus tells us in the ••e place, that Hieronymus the Egyptian, who ••ote the Phoenician Antiquities, and Mna∣••s, and many others, whose words he al∣••ges not, make mention of the Flood.

Eusebius superadds two Testimonies more. ••e one of Melon to this effect. There de∣••ted from Armenia at the time of the De∣••e, a certain man, who together with his ••ns had been saved; who being cast out of

his House and Possessions, was driven aw•• by the Natives. This man passing over t•• intermediate Region, came into the mou••∣tainous part of Syria, that was then de¦late. This Testimony makes the Delu•• Topical, and not to have reached ••¦menia.

The other is of Abydenus an ancient W••¦ter in the same Eusebius, Praepar. Evang▪ lib. 9. cap. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. ••¦ter whom others reigned, and then Sisith•• (so he calls Noah.) To whom Saturn fo•• told, that there should be a great Flood Waters upon the Fifteenth Day of •• Month Desius; and commanded him to h•• all Writings [or whatever was commi•• to Writing] in Heliopolis of the Syppari••. Which Sisithrus as soon as he had perform presently sailed away to Armenia, wh•• what God had predicted to him, imme••¦ately came to pass [or came upon hi•• The third day after the Waters ceased, sent forth Birds, that he might try whe•• they could espy any Land uncovered Water. But they finding nothing but S•• and not knowing whither to betake the••¦selves, returned back to Sisithrus. In l•• manner, after some days he sent out oth••

with like success. But being sent out the third time, they returned with their feet fouled with Mud. Then the Gods caught up Sisithrus from among men: But the Ship remained in Armenia, and its Wood afforded the Inhabitants Amulets to chase away ma∣ny Diseases. These Histories accord with the Scripture as to the main, of the being of a Flood, and Noah escaping out of it; only they adulterate the Truth, by the admixture of a deal of fabulous stuff.

Cyril in his first Book against Julian, to prove the Deluge, alledges a passage out of Alexander Polyhistor. Plato himself (saith he) gives us an obscure intimation of the Deluge, in his Timaeus, bringing in a certain Egyptian Priest, who related to Silon out of the Sacred Books of the Egyptians, that be∣fore the particular Deluges known and ce∣lebrated by the Grecians, there was of old an exceeding great Inundation of Waters, and devastation of the Earth; which seems to be no other than Noah's Flood.

Plutarch in his Book De Solertia Anima∣lium tells us, That those who have written of Deucalion's Flood, report, that there was a Dove sent out of the Ark by Deucalion, which returning again into the Ark, was a sign of the continuance of the Flood, but flying quite away, and not returning any

more, was a sign of Serenity, and that the Earth was drained.

Indeed Ovid and other Mythologist•• make Deucalion's Flood to have been uni∣versal: and it's clear, by the Description O∣vid gives of it, that he meant the genera•• Deluge in the days of Noah. And that by Deucalion, the Ancients together with Ovid understood Noah; Kircher in his Arca No•• doth well make out. First, For that the Poe•• Apollonius makes him the Son of Prome∣theus in his third Book,

— 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Where Prometheus the Son of Iapetus bega•• the Renowned Deucalion. 2. Berosus affirm•• Noah to have been Scythian. And Luci•• in his Book De Dea Syria tells us, tha•• many make Deucalion to have been so too 3. The Scripture testifies, that men were gene¦rally very corrupt and wicked in the days o•• Noah. And Andro Teius a very ancient Wri∣ter testifies, that in Deucalion's time ther•• was a great abundance of wicked men, which made it necessary for God to destroy Mankind. 4. The Scripture saith, that Noah was a Just Man, and Perfect in his Genera∣tion. And Ovid saith of Deucalion, that

Non illo melior quisquam, nec amantior aequi Vir fuit, aut illâ [Pyrrhâ uxore ejus] reve∣rentior ulla Deorum.

And a little after,

Innocuos ambos, cultores numinis ambos.

5. Apollonius saith of Deucalion, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the first ruled over men. Which may very well be attributed to Noah the Father and Restorer of Mankind, whose right the Kingdom was. 6. The sending out of a Dove, to try whether the Waters were abated, and the Flood gone off, is (we have seen) by Putarch attributed to Deuca∣lion. 7. Lucian in his Timon, and in his Book de Dea Syria, sets forth the Particulars of Deucalion's, after the example of Noah's, Flood. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. Deucalion was the only man that was left for a second Generation, for his Pru∣dence and Piety sake: And he was saved in this manner. He made a great Ark, and got aboard it, with his Wife and Children: And to him came Swine, and Horses, and Lions, and Serpents, and all other living Creatures, which

the Earth maintains, according to their kind•• by pairs; and he received them all, and they hurt him not; for there was by Divine Instinc•• a great friendship among them; and they sailed together in the Ark, so long as the W••¦ters prevailed. And in his Timon he saith that Noah laid up in the Ark plenty of a•• Provisions for their sustenance.

By all this it appears, that the Notion o•• a general Flood was every where curren•• among the people, especially in those Cou••¦treys where the Ark rested, and where Noa•• afterward lived. And hence it was, that th•• Apameans, whether of Mesopotamia, or Syri•• or Bythinia, (for there were three Cities •• Name) coined Moneys in honour of th•• Emperours Septimius Severus, and Philipp•• Arabs, having on the Reverse the Figure •• an Ark, with a Man and a Woman standin•• before it; and a Man and a Woman lookin•• out of it; and two Doves above it, one fl••¦ing with a Branch of a Tree in its Mout•• another resting upon it. The Figur•• whereof, and a Learned Discourse thereupo•• out of Falconerius, may be seen in Kirche•• Arca Noae. Which Moneys though the•• were coined long after our Saviour's time, an•• the divulgation of the Scriptures; yet bein•• done by Ethnicks, do shew that the Story •• the Deluge was known, and famous, an••

generally credited among them, as being near the place where Noah lived and con∣versed after the Flood.

Howbeit I do not deny, that there was such a particular Flood in Thessaly, as they call Deucalion's, which happened Seven Hun∣dred and Seventy Years or thereabouts after the general Deluge. I acknowledge also a more ancient Flood in Attica in the time of Ogyges, about Two Hundred and Thirty Years be∣fore Deucalion's, by which the Countrey was so marred, that it lay waste and uncultiva∣ted without Inhabitants for almost Two Hundred Years.

Other particular Deluges, and Irruptions, or Inundations of the Seas, besides these, we read of in Histories; which I shall not stand to enumerate. He that desires an Ac∣count of them, may consult Sr. Walter Raleigh's History of the World, p. 89. How∣beit the Consideration of them may be of use to us, when we shall come to treat of the Effects of the Flood upon the Earth. So I dismiss this first particular, and proceed to the second: What were the instrumental Causes or Means of the Flood? Whether was it effected by natural or supernatural Means only? Whether was God no further concerned in it, than in so ordering second

Causes at first, as of themselves necessarily to bring it in at such a time?

First, Those that hold this Deluge was altogether miraculous, and that God Al∣mighty created Waters on purpose to serve this occasion, and when they had done their work destroyed them again, dispatch the Business, and loose or cut the Knot in a few words. And yet this Hypothesis is not so absurd and precarious, as at first sight it may seem to be. For the World being al∣ready full, there needed not, nor indeed could be any Creation of Water out of no∣thing, but only a Transmutation of some other body into Water. Now if we grant all natural Bodies, even the Elements them∣selves, to be mutually transmutable, as few men doubt, and some think they can de∣monstrate; why might not the Divine Power and Providence bring together at that time such natural Agents, as might change the Air or Aether, or both together into Water; and so supply what was wanting in Rains, and extraordinary Eruptions of Springs▪ To them that argue the Improbability o•• such a change, from the great quantity o•• Air requisite to the make of a little Water; it may be answered, That if Air, and al•••• Bodies commixt with it, were together chan∣ged

into Water, they must needs make a bulk of Water of equal quantity with them∣selves, unless we will grant a Peripatetical Condensation and Rarefaction; and hold that the same Matter may have sometimes a greater, sometimes a lesser quantity or extension.

This Cause [the conversion of Air into Water] the Learned Jesuite Athanasius Kir∣cher, in his Book De Arca Nooe, alledges as the undoubted instrumental Cause or Means of the Deluge in these words, Dico totum il∣lud aereum spatium usque ad supremam regio∣nem aeris, praepotentis Dei virtute, in aquas, per inexplicabilem nubium coacervatarum mul∣titudinem, quâ replebatur, conversum esse; cujus ubertas tanta fuit, ut Aer supremus cum inferiori in Oceanum commutatus videri potuerit, non naturae viribus, sed illius cujus voluntati & imperio cuncta subsunt. That is, I affirm, That all that Aereal space that reaches up to the supreme Region of the Air, was, by the power of the Omnipotent God, and instrumentality of an inexplicable multitude of Clouds amassed together, wherewith it was filled, changed into Water, so that the upper and lower Air might seem to be transmuted into an Ocean, not by the strength of Nature, but of him to whose Will and Power all things are subject. And he is so confi∣dent

that this Deluge, in which the Wa∣ter was raised fifteen Cubits above the high∣est Mountains, was not, nor could be ef∣fected by natural Causes; but by the right hand of the Most High God only; that he saith, No man can deny it, but he who doth not penetrate, how far the power of Nature can extend, and where it is limited. To conclude, this Hypothesis hath the Suffrages of most Learned Men. But because the Scri∣pture assigning the Causes or Means of the Inundation, makes no mention of any con∣version of Air into Water, but only of the breaking up the Fountains of the Great Deep, and the opening of the Windows of Heaven, I suppose those Causes may be suffi∣cient to work the Effect, and that we need not have recourse to such an Assistance.

As for those that make the Deluge Topi∣cal, and restrain it to a narrow compass of Land; their Opinion is I think sufficiently confuted by the fore-mentioned ingenious Author, to whom therefore I refer the Reader.

I shall not undertake the Defence or Con∣futation of any other Hypothesis: only tell you which at present seems to me most pro∣bable, and that is theirs, who for a partial cause of the Deluge, assign either a change of the Center of the Earth, or a violent de∣pression

of the Surface of the Ocean, and a forcing the Waters up from the subterrane∣ous Abysse through the Channels of the Fountains that were then broken up and opened.

First then, let us consider what Causes the Scripture assigns of the Flood; and they are two: 1. The breaking up the Fountains of the great Deep: 2. The opening of the Win∣dows of Heaven. I shall first treat of this last. By the opening of the Windows of Heaven, is (I suppose) to be understood the causing of all the Water that was suspended in the Air to descend down in Rain upon the Earth; the effect hereof here mentioned be∣ing a long continuing Rain of Forty, nay, perchance One Hundred and Fifty Days. And that these Treasuries of the Air will afford no small quantity of Water, may be made appear, both by Scripture and Reason. 1. By Scripture, which opposes the Waters that are above the Heavens or Firmament, to those that are under them; which if they were not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in some measure equal, it would never do. Gen. 1.6. God is said to make a Firmament in the midst of the Waters, and to divide the Waters which were under the Firmament, from the Waters which were above the Firmament. And this was the work of a whole day, and conse∣quently

no inconsiderable thing. By the Hea∣vens or Firmament in this place, is to be un∣derstood the inferiour Region of the Air, wherein the Fowls fly: who Gen. 1.20. are said to fly above the Earth, in the open Fir∣mament of Heaven; though elsewhere it be taken for the Celestial Regions, wherein the Sun, and Moon, and Stars are placed.

2. The same may be made appear, by Reason grounded upon Experience. I my self have observed a Thunder-Cloud in pas∣sage, to have in less than two hours space powred down so much Water upon the Earth, as besides what sunk into the parched and thirsty ground, and filled all Ditches and Ponds, caused a considerable Flood in the Rivers, setting all the Meadows on flote. [And Dr. Wittie in his Scarborough Spa•• tells us of great Spouts of Rain that ordi∣narily fall every year some time or other in Summer, that set the whole Countrey in a Flood.] Now had this Cloud, which might, for ought I know, have moved Forty Miles forward, stood still and emptied all its Water upon the same spot of ground it first hung over, what a sudden and incre∣dible Deluge would it have made there? and yet what depth or thickness of Vapours might remain uncondensed in the Air above this Cloud, who knows? Now it is to

be considered, that not only the Air above the Dry Land, but also all that covers the whole Ocean, is charged with Vapours, which are nothing else but diffused Water: all which was brought together by Winds, or what other Means seem'd good to God, and caused to distil down in Rain upon the Earth. And you may easily guess that it was no small quantity of Water that was supplyed this way, in that it sufficed for a Rain that lasted more than Forty Days, as I shall afterwards shew, if I understand the Text a right. And that no ordinary Rain neither, but Catarracts or Spouts of Water; for so the Septuagint interprets the words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, And the Catarracts or Spouts of Heaven were opened.

I return now to the first Cause or Means of the Deluge assigned by the Scripture, and that is the breaking up of all the fountains of the great Deep. By the great Deep in this place, I suppose, is to be understood the Subterra∣neous Waters, which do and must necessa∣rily communicate with the Sea. For we see, that the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas, to mention no others, receive into themselves many and great Rivers, and yet have no visible Out-lets; nay, this latter, receives also abundance of Waters from the great

Ocean, running in at the Streights of Gi∣braltar: and therefore by Subterraneous Passages, must needs discharge their Waters into the Abyss of Waters under the Earth, and by its intervention into the Ocean again. By the breaking up of the Fountains of the Great Deep, is I conceive meant, the making great Issues and Apertures for these Subter∣raneous Waters to rush out. You will say▪ how could that be, sith the Water keeps its level, and cannot ascend to a greater height above the common Center, than the Super∣ficies of the Sea is, much less force its way▪ remove Obstacles, and break open Passages?

I answer, According to them that hold that all Rivers come from the Sea by Subter∣raneous Passages, it is no more than daily happens. For they must needs grant, tha•• the Water in the Subterraneous Channels, is raised as far above the level of the Ocean▪ as are the Heads and Fountains of great Ri∣vers. Which considering the height of their first Springs up the Mountains, the length of their Courses, and swiftness of their Streams for a great part of the way, is very considerable, a constant declivity being ne∣cessary to their descent. And therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can by no means assent to the Learned Do∣ctor Plot, (if I understand him alright) That the Valleys are as much below the Surface

of the Sea, as Mountains are above it. For how then could Rivers descend down to the Sea through those Valleys; the Sea would rather run into them, and make Si∣••uses; or else, if they were enclosed, the Water would stagnate there, and make Pools. If this be done by way of Filtration (which seems to be the most likely Means of raising the Water) I do not see, but these Filtres may suck up the whole Ocean; and, ••f Apertures and Out-lets large enough were made, powre it out upon the Earth in no ••ong time. But I cannot be fully reconciled ••o this Opinion, though it hath great Advo∣cates, especially the fore-mentioned very Learned and Ingenious Person Doctor Ro∣bert Plot. I acknowledge Subterraneous Waters: I grant a Confluence and Commu∣nication of Seas by under-ground Channels and Passages. But this inferiour constant Circulation and perpetual Motion of Water seems to me not yet sufficiently proved and made out. I think that the Patrons and Abettors of this Opinion, have not satisfa∣ctorily demonstrated, how it is, or can be performed. To what is offered concerning the Center of Gravity being nearer to our Continent, by reason of the Preponderan∣cy of the Earth, and the Waters lying as it were on an heap in the other Hemisphere, I

answer, 1. That though Earth be inde•• specifically heavier than Water, yet consi∣dering that Water is a close imporous Body (I understand greater Pores) but the Earth•• every where full of great and small Pores and Cavities, I know not but taking a bulk thereof equal to the Ocean, the Water may be as heavy as it. 2. In the present terra¦queous Globe, the New World which lye•• between the two great Seas, and almost op¦posite to our Continent, doth in some mea¦sure counterpoise the Old, and take off a great part of the advantage, which by rea¦son of its Preponderancy, it might other¦wise have. Moreover, I am of Mr. Brierwood•• Opinion, that there may be, and is a va•• Continent toward the Southern Pole oppo¦site to Europe and Asia, to counterpoise the•• on that side; nay, I do verily believe, tha•• the Continents and Islands are so proporti¦onably scattered and disposed all the Worl•• over, as if not perfectly and exactly, yet ve¦ry nearly to counterballance one another; s•• that the Globe cannot walter or reel toward•• any side: and that the Center of the conve•• Superficies of the Sea, is the true Center o•• the whole Terrestrial Sphere, both of Motio•• and of Gravity. 3. The Sea being no wher•• above a German Mile deep. (for which w•• have good Authority) in most places no••

••alf so much, taking then as a middle term ••alf a Mile. Suppose it every where half •• Mile deep, (the Earth below the Sea, we ••ave no reason to suppose of different Gra∣••ity) What proportion hath this two Miles ••hickness of Water, to the whole Terraque∣••us Globe, whose Semidiameter, is by the ••ccount of Mathematicians Three Thousand Four Hundred and Forty Italian Miles. What ••ittle advantage then can it have of the Earth opposite to it, in point of Preponde∣••ancy? 4. Granting the Center of Gravity should be nearer our Continent: The Cen∣••er being the lowest place, and the Water •• fluid Body, unless stopped, where it found ••declivity, it would descend as near as it could to it, without any regard of the Earths Preponderancy. And though we should grant, that the driness of the Shoars might stop it, and cause it to lye on a heap, yet would it run up the Channels of Rivers, ••till it came as near as possible to the Center of Gravity. Indeed the Rivers themselves could not descend, but must run towards the middle of the Continent. All this I think will follow from this Hypothesis by as good consequence, as the Waters being forced through the Subterraneous Channels out at the Springs. Again, I do not pe∣remptorily affirm, that all Fountains do

proceed from Rain; only I contend, th•• Rain may suffice to feed them, and that pr••¦bably it doth feed ordinary Springs. Th•• the Ingenious French Author doth well d••¦monstrate in the River Seine, and I believe is demonstrable in most other Rivers.

The little Brook that runs near my Dwe••¦ling, and hath its Head or Source not abo•• Four or Five Miles off, where there is •• extraordinary Eruption of Water, all alo•• its Course receives small Rivulets on bo•• sides; which though they make a consid••¦rable Stream at Five Miles distance from t•• Fountain-head, yet singly are so small, th•• they may very well be conceived to dra•• down from the higher Grounds that ly•• about them. And taking the whole tog••¦ther, it is a very considerable length a•• breadth of Land, that contributes to the mai••¦tenance of this little River. So that it ma•• easily be believed, that all its Water ow•• its original to Rain: Especially if it be con••¦dered further, that in Winter-time after t•• Rains are fallen, the Ground sated, and th•• Ditches full, the Stream of this River durin•• the whole Winter following, is for the mo•• part, unless in Frosts, double of what it wa•• in Summer. Which Excess can procee•• from nothing but Rain; at least it woul•• be rashness to assign any other Cause, whe••

there is so obvious and manifest an one. Moreover, that Rain affords no small quan∣tity of Water, is clear also from great Floods, wherein it might be proved, that in few days there descends more Water than would supply the ordinary Stream for a good part of Summer. Now to compare great things with small: I have seen many of the biggest Rivers in Europe, the Danow, Rhine, Rhosne and Po; and when I consider the length of their courses, the multitude of considerable Rivers and Brooks they receive; and all these from their first rise, made up by de∣grees by little Rivulets and Gills, like my neighbouring Brook; the huge Mountains and vast extent of higher Grounds they drain: To me it seems (and I have seen all their Streams near their Out-lets, except the Danows, and it's after Four Hundred Miles descent) that they do not bear any greater proportion to the Rivers and Rivulets they receive, and the immense Tracts of Land that feed them, than my Brook doth to its small Rills and compass of Ground.

But in this, I confess, I do not descend to the niceness of Measuring and Calculation, but satisfie my self with rude conjectures, taking my measures, as the Cestrians say, by the Scale of the Eye.

It will here be objected, That the Rain never sinks above Ten Foot deep at most into the Earth, and therefore cannot supply the Springs.

Answ. This indeed, if it were true, would much enervate, nay, quite overthrow our Opinion: And therefore we must for∣tifie this Point, and effectually demonstrate beyond all possibility of denyal or contra∣diction, That Rain-water doth sink down, and make its way into the Earth, I do not say Ten, or Twenty, nor Forty, but an Hun∣dred, nay, Two or Three Hundred Foot or more.

First then, in Pool-hole in the Peak of Darbyshire, there are in some places constan•• droppings and destillations of Water from the Roof: under each of which (to note that by the by) rises up a Stone Pillar, the Wate•• precipitating some of those stony Particles which it had washed off the Rocks in pas∣sing through their Chinks. These droppings continue all the Summer long. Now i•• seems clear to me, that the Rain-water ma¦king its way through the Veins and Chink•• of the Rocks above it, and yet but slowly by reason of the thickness of the Moun∣tain, and straitness of the passages, supplie•• that dropping all the year round; at least this is much more rational than any diffe¦rent

Hypothesis. If the Water distills down faster in Winter-time and wet Weather, than it doth in Summer (which I forgot to ask) the experiment would infallibly prove our Asser∣tion. In confirmation of this Argument, Albertus Magnus (as I find him quoted in Dr. Wittie's Scarborough Spaw) tells us, That at the bottom of a solid Rock One Hundred and Thirty Fathoms deep he saw drops of Wa∣ter distilling from it in a rainy season.

Secondly, It is well known, and attested to me by the people at Buxton when I was there, that out of the Mouth of the same Poole-hole, after great and long continuing Rains, a great Stream of Water did usually issue forth. And I am sure it must make its way through a good thickness of Earth or Rocks, before it could come in there.

Thirdly, What becomes of all the Water that falls on Newmarket Heath and Gogmagog Hills, I presume also Salisbury-Plain, and the like Spungy Grounds all Winter long, where we see very little run off any way? It must needs sink into the Ground more than Ten Foot deep.

Fourthly, Many, Wells, whose Springs lye at least Twenty Foot deep, we find by experience, do often fail in great Droughts in Summer time.

Fifthly, In Coal Delfs and other Mines, in wet Weather the Miners are many times drown'd out (as they phrase it) though no Water runs down into the Mouths of their Pits or Shafts. Nay, Dr. Wittie tells us in his Description of the Vertues of the Scarborough Spaw, pag. 105.

That after great Inundations of Rain, the Miners find the Water frequently distilling through the solid Earth upon their Heads; whereas i•• Summer or dry Seasons, they find no inter∣ruption from thence at all.

Further, to confirm this Particular, wrote to my Honoured Friend Sr. Thom•••• Willughby Baronet, desiring him to examin•• his Colliers concerning it, and send me wo•• what report they make; and from him re¦ceived this account. If there be Springs ly•• before you come at the Coal, they carry the Water away; but if there be none, it falls into the Works in greater or less quantity ac∣cording as the Rains fall. Which answer is so much the more considerable, in that it gives me a further clear proof, that Springs are fed by Rain water, and not by any com∣munications from the Sea; their original be∣ing above the Beds of Coal, they receiving the Rain-water into their Veins, and deri∣ving it all along to their Fountains or Erupti∣ons, above the Coals.

I might add out of him, Fifthly, pag. 85.

That the Scarborough Spaw, notwithstand∣ing it breaks out of Ground within Three or Four Yards off the Foot of the Cliff, which is near Forty Yards high, and within a quarter of a Mile there is another Hill, that is more, than as high again as the Cliff, and a descent all the way to the Cliff, so as the Rain-water cannot lye long upon the Ground, yet it is observable, that after a long Rain, the Water of the Spaw is alte∣red in its taste, and lessened in its opera∣tion whereas a rainy day or two will not sensibly hurt it.

And now I am transcri∣bing out of this Author, give me leave to add an Observation or two in confirmation of Rains being the Original of Springs. The first is (pag. 97.) this;

In England, in the years 1654, 55, and 56. when our Climate was dryer than ever it had been mentioned to be in any Stories, so as we had very little Rain in Summer, or Snow in Winter, most of our Springs were dried up, such as in the Memory of the eldest men living had never wanted Water, but were of those Springs we call fontes pe∣rennes, or at least were esteemed so.

He instances also out of a parallel Story out of Heylin's Geography, in the Description of Cyprus, where the Author relates;

That in

the days of Constantine the Great, there was an exceeding long drought there, so as in Thirty Six Years they had no Rain, in so much as all the Springs and Torrents, or Rivers, were dried up; so that the Inhabi∣tants were forced to forsake the Island, and to seek for new Habitations for want of fresh Water.

The Second is, pag. 84.

That in the Wolds or Downs of Yorkshire they have ma∣ny Springs break out after great Rains which they call Gypsies.

Neither is this Eruption of Springs after long Rains, proper and peculiar only to the Wolds of Yorkshire, but common to othe•• Countreys also, as Dr Childrey witnesset•• in these words:

Sometimes there breaks out Water in the manner of a sudden Land-flood, out of certain Stones, that are like Rocks standing aloft in open Fields, near the rising of the River Kynet [in Kent] which is reputed by the Common people a fore-runner of Dearth. That the sudde•• eruption of Springs in places where they use not always to run, should be a sign o•• Dearth is no wonder. For these unusua•• Eruptions, (which in Kent we call Nail¦bourns) are caused by extreme gluts o•• Rain, or lasting wet weather, and never happen, but in wet years; witness the year

1648. when there were many of them: —and to our purpose very remarkable it was, that in the 1654. several Springs and Rivulets were quite dryed up, by reason of the precedent Drought, which raged most in 1651, 1652, and 1653. As the Head of the Stour, that rises near El∣ham in Kent, and runs through Canterbury, was dry for some Miles space: and the like happened to the Stream that crosseth the Road-way between Sittingburn and Canter∣bury at Ospring near Feversham, which at other times ran with a plentiful current, but then wholly failed:

So we see that it is not infrequent for new Springs to break out in wet years; and for old ones to fail in great Droughts.

I cannot also here forbear to add, the probable account he gives of the Supply of the Spring-well on the Castle-hill at Scarbo∣rough; at which, I confess, I was somewhat puzzled.

This Well, saith he, though it be upon the top of the Rock, not many Yards deep, and also upon the edge of the Cliff, is doubtless supplied by secret Chan∣nels within the ground, that convey the Rain and Showers into it, being placed on a dependent part of the Rock, near unto which there are also Cellars under an old ruinated Chappel, which after a great Rain

are full of Water, but are dryed up in a long Drought.

As for what is said concerning the River Volgas pouring out so much Water into the Caspian Sea, as in a years time would make up a mass of Water equal to the Globe of the Earth; and of the hourly effusions of the River Po in Italy, which Ricciolus hath computed to amount to 18000000. Cubical Paces of Water. Whence a late Learned Writer hath probably inferred, that all the Rivers in the World together, do daily dis∣charge half an Ocean of Waters into the Sea, I must confess my self to be unsatisfied there∣with. I will not question their Calculations, but I suspect they are out in their Hypotheses.

The Opinion of Mr. Edmund Halley, that Springs and Rivers owe their Original to Vapours condensed on the sides of Moun∣tains, rather than unto Rains, I acknowledge to be very ingenious, grounded upon good Observations, and worthy of its Author; and I will not deny it to be in part true in those hot Countreys in the Torrid Zone, and near it; where, by reason of the great heats, the Vapours are more copiously exhaled out of the Earth, and its likely carryed up high in the form of Vapours. The inferiour Air at least is so charged with them, and by that means so very moist, that in some places

their Knives rust even in their Pockets; and in the Night, so very fresh and cold, partly also by reason of the length of the Nights; that exposing the Body to it, causes Colds and Catarrhs, and is very dangerous: Whence also their Dews are so great, as in good mea∣sure to recompence the want of Rain, and serve for the nourishment of Plants; as they do even in Spain it self.

I shall first of all propose this Opinion in the Words of the Author, and then discourse a little upon it. After he had enumerated many of the high Ridges and Tracts of Mountains in the four Quarters of the World, he thus proceeds:

Each of which far surpass the usual height to which the Aque∣ous Vapours of themselves ascend, and on the tops of which the Air is so cold and rari∣fied, as to retain but a small part of those Vapours that shall be brought thither by the Winds.

Those Vapours therefore that are raised copiously in the Sea, and by the Winds are carried over the Low Lands to those Ridges of Mountains, are there compelled by the Stream of the Air, to mount up with it to the tops of the Mountains, where the Wa∣ter presently precipitates, gleeting down by the Crannies of the Stone; and part of the Vapour entring into the Cavities of the Hills, the Water thereof gathers, as in an

Alembick, into the Basons of Stone it finds •• which being once filled, all the overplus o•• Water that comes thither, runs over by the lowest place, and breaking out by the side•• of the Hills forms single Springs. Many o•• these running down by the Valleys or Guts between the Ridges of the Hills, and coming to unite, form little Rivulets or Brooks. Ma∣ny of these again meeting in one commo•• Valley, and gaining the plain ground, being grown less rapid, become a River: and ma∣ny of these being united in one common Channel, make such Streams, as the Rh••e the Rhosne, and the Danube, which latter on•• would hardly think the Collection of Wate•• condensed out of Vapour, unless we conside•• how vast a Tract of ground that River drains and that it is the summ of all those Springs which break out on the South side of the Carpathian Mountains, and on the North¦side of the immense Ridge of the Alps, which is one continued Chain of Mountains from Switzerland to the Black Sea. And it may almost pass for a Rule, that the magnitude o•• a River, or the quantity of Water it evacu∣ates, is proportionable to the length and height of the Ridges, from whence its Foun∣tains arise. Now this Theory of Springs, i•• not a bare Hypothesis, but founded on Ex∣perience, which it was my luck to gain in my

abode at St. Helena; where, in the night time on the tops of the Hills, about Eight Hun∣dred Yards above the Sea, there was so strange a condensation, or rather precipita∣tion of the Vapours, that it was a great im∣pediment to my Celestial Observations; for in the clear Sky the Dew would fall so fast, as to cover each half quarter of an hour my Glasses with little drops, so that I was ne∣cessitated to wipe them off of so often; and my Paper, on which I wrote my Observations, would immediately be so wet with the Dew, that it would not bear Ink: by which it may be supposed, how fast the Water gathers in those mighty high Ridges I but now named.—At last he concludes:

And I doubt not but this Hypothesis is more reasonable, than that of those who derive all Springs from the Rain-waters, which yet are perpetual, and without diminution, even when no Rain falls for a long space of time.

This may, for ought I as yet see or know, be a good account of the Original of Springs in those fervid Regions, though even there, I doubt, but partial; but in Europe, and the more temperate Countries, I believe the Vapours in this manner conden∣sed, have but little interest in the production of them, though I will not wholly exclude them. For,

First, The Tops of the Alps above the Fountains of four of the greatest Rivers i•• Europe, the Rhine, the Rhosne, the Dano••, and the Po, are for about Six Months in the Year constantly covered with Snow, to a great thickness; so that there are no Va¦pours all that while that can touch tho••e Mountains, and be by them condensed into Water; there falls nothing there but Snow, and that continuing all that while on the ground without Dissolution, hinders all ac¦cess of Vapours to the Earth; if any rose, o•• were by Winds carried so high in that form as I am confident there are not. And yet for all that, do not those Springs fail, but con∣tinue to run all Winter; and it is likely too▪ without diminution; which is a longer time than Droughts usually last; especially if we consider, that this want of supply, is con∣stant and annual; whereas Droughts are but rare and accidental. So that we need not wonder any more, that Springs should con∣tinue to run, and without diminution too, in times of Drought. True it is, that those Rivers run low all Winter, so far as the Snow extends, and to a good distance from their Heads; but that is for want of their acci∣dental Supplies from Showers. Nay, I believe, that even in Summer, the Vapours are but rarely raised so high in a liquid form in the

free Air, remote from the Mountains, but ••e frozen into Snow, before they arrive at ••at height. For the Middle Region of the ••ir, where the Walk of the Clouds is, at ••ast the superior part of it, is so cold as to ••eez the Vapours that ascend so high, ••ven in Summer time. For we see that in ••e height and heat of Summer in great ••hunder-Storms for the most part it hails: ••ay, in such Tempests I have seen mighty ••howers of great Hail-stones fall, some as ••g as Nutmegs or Pigeons Egs; and in some, ••laces such heaps of them, as would load Dung Carts, and have not been dissolved in day or two. At the same seasons I have ••bserved, in some Showers Hail-stones fall ••f irregular Figures, and throughout pellu∣••id, like great pieces of Ice, with several ••nags or Fangs issuing out of them: which ••ow they could be supported in the Air till ••hey amounted to that bulk and weight, is a ••hing worthy to be more curiously consi∣••ered. For either they must fall from an ••ncredible height, the Vapours, they encoun∣••red by the way, condensing and as it were ••rystallizing upon them into Ice, and in time ••ugmenting them to that bulk; or else there must be some strange and unknown faculty ••n the Air to sustain them. But to leave ••hem, it is certain, that the Vapours after

they are mounted up to a considerable height in the Air, are congealed and turne•• into the immediate component Principles •• Snow, in which form I conceive they acqui•• a lightness, and are apt to ascend high•• than they could do, should they retain t•• form of a humid Vapour; as, we see, Ice i•• lighter than Water, out of which it is froz•• But whether this be the reason of th•• ascent or not, I am sure of the matter of fa•• that these Snow-Clouds do ascend far abo•• the highest Tops of the Alps, in the Gris•• Countrey, in the beginning of the Sprin•• it snowed very fast during my whole passa•• for six hours; and yet the Clouds seemed •• be as far above my head, as they do here i•• England; and a great height they must b•• for the Snow to gather into so great flake and to continue so long falling; nay, it ma•• be three times so long. Moreover, we s•• that the highest Pikes and Summits of the Mountains are covered with Snow.

2. In the Spring-time, when the Snow di¦solves, some of these Rivers that flow do•• from the Alpine Mountains, run with a f•• Stream, and overflow their Banks, in cle•• Sun-shine Weather, though no Rain falls, •• I my self can witness; and therefore I pr••¦sume, that all the rest do so too, as the I••¦habitants affirmed. But in the Summer tim••

after the Snow hath been some time melted, their Streams decay again, notwithstanding any Vapours condensed upon them, propor∣tionably to the Droughts; neither are there any Floods, but upon falls of Rain.

3. That the Snow dissolved and soaking into the Earth, is the Original of the Alpine Springs; a probable Argument may be ta∣ken from the colour of the Water of those Rivers which descend from the Alps, at least on this Northern side, which I observed to be of a Sea-green, even to a great distance from their Heads; which whence can it pro∣ceed, unless from the Nitrous Particles of the Snow-water, of which they consist? Another also from the Bronchocele, or gut∣turine tumour, an Endemial Disease of the Natives of those parts, which Physicians and Naturalists atrribute to the Water they drink, not without good reason; because, say they, it consists of melted Snow, which gives it that malignant quality, † Scaliger speaking of this Disease, saith, Id ab aqua fit è nivibus liquefactis, quae multum terrestris & crudi continet. But because Julius Palmarius may possibly be in the right, who imputes this Disease to the Steams of the Minerals, especially Mercurial, wherewith these Moun∣tains abound, which infect the Waters, and

render them noxious to the nervous part I shall not insist upon this particular.

What Mr. Halley saith of Springs, th•• they are perpetual and without dimi••••¦tion, even when no Rain falls for a lon•• space of time. If he understands it genera••¦ly of all Springs, I add, that are accounte•• quick ones too, I deny his assertion: th•• some there may be of that nature, I gran•• a reason whereof may be given, viz. th•• the out-let is too small to empty the Wa•• of all the Veins and Earth that lye above in a long time. In our Native Countr•• of England there are living and lasti•• Springs rising at the feet of our small H•• and Hillocks, to which I am sure the V••¦pours contribute very little; which is so o••¦vious to every man, that I think I need 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spend time to prove it.

Yet must I not dissemble or deny, that the Summer-time the Vapours do ascen•• or are carried up in that form by the sid•• of the Mountains to their highest tops, a•• above them; for there falls no Snow the•• in the heat of Summer; and that which lye there, is for the most part dissolved. B•• that Rain falls plentifully there, I my s•• can witness; having been on the two highe•• Tops of the Mount Jura, (which keeps th••

Snow all Winter) on the one called Thuiri ••n a Thunder Shower; and on the other cal∣••ed la Dolaz, in a smart and continuing Rain. So that I will not deny, but in Summer-••ime the Vapours may contribute somewhat ••o the Springs; as I have elsewhere inti∣mated.

And now that I am discoursing of these ••hings, give me leave to set down an Obser∣vation I made in the last Great Frost, the biggest that was ever known in the memory of Man, which I had before met with in Books, but did not give firm credit to, that ••s, that notwithstanding the violence of the Frost, all the Springs about us, brake out ••nd ran more plentifully, than usually they did at any other time: which I knew not what to impute to, unless perchance the close ••topping the Pores of the Earth, and keep∣••ng in that part, which at other times was ••ont to vapour away; which Account, I neither then could, nor can yet fully ac∣••uiesce in.

To this I will here add an Abstract of •• Letter written by my Honoured Friend, Dr. Tancred Robinson.

YOƲ may peradventure meet with som•• opposition against your Hypothesis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fountains, tho indeed I am more and more co••¦firm'd in your Opinion of them, and the •• of the Mountains. Father Tachart in his Se¦cond Voyage to Siam, says, when he went up the Top of the Table Mountain at the Cap•• of Good Hope, the Rocks and Shrubs we perpetually dropping and feeding the Spri•• and Rills below, there being generally Clo•• hanging on the sides near the Top. The s•• observation hath been frequently made by •• English Merchants in the Madera and Can•• Islands, especially in their Journies up to •• Pike of Teneriff, in which, at such and s•• heights, they were always wet to the skin, the droppings of the great Stones, yet no R•• over head; the same I have felt in pa•• over some of the Alps. The Trees, which the Islands of Ferro and St. Thomas, are s•• to furnish the Inhabitants with most of t•• Water, stand on the sides of vast Mountai•• Vossius in his Notes on Pomponius Mela, firms them to be Arborescent Ferula's; I ••¦lieve there is something in the many Relati•• of Travellers and Voyagers concerning th•• Trees; but then I fancy they are all mistak•• when they say, the Water issues out of ••

Trees: The Vapors stop't by the Mountains con∣dense and distil down by the Boughs. There being no Mountains in Aegypt, may be one rea∣son, why there is little or no Rain in that Countrey, and consequently no fresh Springs; therefore in their Caravans they carry all their Water with them in great Borracio's. This may be the cause that the vast Ridge and Chain of Mountains in Peru, are continually water'd, when the great Plains in that Coun∣trey are all dry'd up and parch't. This Hypo∣thesis concerning the Original of Springs from Vapours, may hold better in those hot Regi∣ons within and near the Tropicks (where the Exhalations from the Sea are most plentiful, most rarify'd, and Rain scarce) than in the Temperate and Frigid ones (where it rains and snows generally on the Vertices of the Mountains) yet even in our European Climates I have often observ'd the Firs, Pines, and other Vegetables near the Summits of the Alps and Appennines, to drop and run with Water, when it did not rain above; some Trees more than others, according to the density and smoothness of their Leaves and Superficies, whereby they stop and condense the Vapours more or less. The Beams of the Sun having little force on the high parts of Mountains, the interrupted Vapours must continually moisten them, and (as in the head of an Alembick)

condense and trickle down; so that we owe part of our Rain, Springs, Rivers, and conveniencies of Life, to the operation of distillation and Circula∣tion by the Sun, the Sea, and the Hills, without even the last of which, the Earth would scarce be habitable. This present year in Kent they have had no Rain since March last; therefore most of their Springs are dry at this very day, a•• I am assur'd from good hands. The high spouting of Water even to three Fathoms perpendicul•• out of innumerable holes on the Lake Zirkni•• in Carniola after Rains on the adjacent Hills, exceeds the spirting Gips or natural Jet d'ea•• we have in England.

Novemb. 12. 1691.

Tancred Robinson

I have read of some Philosophers, wh•• imagined the Earth to be a great Animal, an•• that the ebbing and flowing of the Sea, w•• the respiration of it: and now methinks, i•• this Doctrine be true, we have found on•• the Circulation of its Blood, or somethin•• like it. For the Water must upon this sup¦position▪ move, in proportion to its bul•• faster through the Veins of this round An••¦mal, than the blood doth through those •• other living Creatures.

But let us suppose, that the Rivers •• daily carry down to the Sea half an Ocea•• of Water, and that the Rain supplies all tha•• as our Opinion is, and see what we can i••¦fer

from thence: I think it will be granted that ordinarily (communibus annis) the Rain that falls in a whole year amounts not to above one quarters continual Rain. Now if this suffices for a daily effusion of half an Ocean, it is clear, that if it should rain with∣out any intermission all the year round, the Rivers would pour out two Oceans into the Sea daily. And so in forty days con∣tinual Rain there would distil down upon the Earth eighty Oceans of Water. A pro∣digious quantity indeed and scarce credible, which if the Water be carried off as fast as it comes on, infers a Circulation of a quan∣tity of Water equal to the whole Ocean twice in twenty four hours. Supposing then thar so much Water daily descends upon the Earth, I argue thus, The Water falling upon the Earth must have some time to run down to the Sea, and according to the small de∣clivity of the Continent, (suppose the Moun∣tains pared off and the Land levelled) a con∣siderable one too: and we see it actually hath, so that the Floods in great Rivers follow some days after the falls of Rain upon the higher grounds. And so tho at the time of the general Deluge the Waters hastned down to the Sea as fast as the declivity of the Earth would permit, yet they breaking out of the Fountains of the Abyss, and falling down

from the Clouds abundantly faster than they could run down the gentle declivity of the Earth, it deserves to be considered whether by the end of forty days there might not have been water enough amassed to cover the Mountains fifteen Cubits high. And yet rhe Scripture doth not in plain terms say, that ever the waters of the Flood arose fifteen C••∣bits above the tops of the highest Mountains, as Mr. Warren well observes. Moreover, to me it doth not seem clearly to limit the time of the Rains descent to forty days: but it may import that the Rain had continued so long before the Ark was lifted up above the Earth; and that it ceased not till one hundred and fifty days were over: for so long the Wa∣ters are said to have prevailed upon the Earth, Gen. 7.24. that is continued and in∣creased; whereas had the Rain ceased, and the Fountains been stopped at forty day•• end, the declivity of the Land would in a•• likelihood have sunk the Waters much by the end of one hundred and fifty days: which it was so far from doing, that not∣withstanding the help of the Wind, the top•• of the Mountains were not seen till the be∣ginning of the tenth Month, that is till tw•• hundred and seventy days were past. Nei∣ther yet did the Mountains help but rathe•• hinder the descent of the Waters down to

the Sea, straitning it into Channels, obstruct∣ing its passage, and forcing it to take Cir∣cuits, till it got above the Ridges and tops of them.

As to this Argumentation and Inference the case is the same, if we hold that the Wa∣ter circulates through the Veins of the Earth. For supposing the Rivers pour forth half an Ocean daily, and granting that in times of Floods their Streams are but double of their usual Currents (though I verily believe they are more than quadruple) and that the ef∣fusions of the Fountains be in like measure augmented, it will follow that the daily discharge of the Rivers will amount to two Oceans. Now at the time of the general Deluge both these Causes concurred. For there being a constant Rain of forty eight days, there must on that account be a con∣tinual Flood, and the Fountains of the great Deep being broken up, they must in all like∣lihood afford as much Water as the Rain: which whither it would not suffice in forty natural days to produce a Flood as big as that of Noah, notwithstanding the continual descent and going off of the Waters, I propose to the consideration of the Ingenious. E∣specially if we allow, as is not unreasonable to suppose, that the Divine Providence

might not first cause a contrary Wind to stop and inhibit the descent of the Waters, as af∣terwards he raised an assisting one to carry them off.

I have but one thing more to add upon this Subject, that is, that I do not see how their Opinion can be true, who hold that some Seas are lower than others, as for Ex∣ample, the Red Sea than the Mediterranean. For it being true that the Water keeps its level, that is, holds its superfices every where equidistant from the Center of Gravity; or if by accident one part be lower, the rest by reason of their fluidity will speedily reduce the superficies again to an equality. The waters of all Seas communicating either a∣bove, or under ground, or both ways, one Sea cannot be higher or lower than ano∣ther: but supposing any accident should e∣levate or depress any, by reason of this con∣fluence or communication it would soon be reduced to a level again, as might demon∣stratively be proved.

But I return, to tell the Reader what I think the most probable of all the Causes I have heard assigned of the Deluge, which is, the Center of the Earth being at that time changed, and set nearer to the Cente•• or middle of our Continent, whereupon the

Atlantick & Pacifick Oceans must needs press upon the Subterraneous Abyss, and so, by mediation thereof, force the Water upward, and at last compell it to run out at those wide mouths and apertures made by the Divine Power breaking up the Fountains of the great Deep. And we may suppose this to have been only a gentle and gradual Emotion, no faster than that the Waters run∣ning out at the bottom of the Sea, might ac∣cordingly lowre the Superficies thereof suffici∣ently, so that none needed run over the Shores. These Waters thus powred out from the Ori∣fices of the Fountains upon the Earth, the de∣clivity being changed by the removal of the Center, could not flow down to the Sea again, but must needs stagnate upon the Earth, and overflow it; and afterwards the Earth re∣turning to its old Center, return also to their former Receptacles.

If any shall object against this Hypothesis, because by it the Flood will be rendr'd To∣pical, and restrained only to the Continent we live in: though I might plead the Unne∣cessariness of drowning America, it being in all probability unpeopled at that time; yet because the Scripture useth general ex∣pressions concerning the extent of the Flood, saying, Gen. 1.19. And all the high hills that were under the whole heaven were covered;

and again, Ver. 22. All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land dyed. And because the Americans also are said to have some ancient Memorial Tra∣dition of a Deluge; and the Ingenious Au∣thor of the Theory of the Earth hath by a moderate Computation, demonstrated, tha•• there must be then more people upon the Earth, than now: I will propose anothe•• way of solving this Phaenomenon, and that is, by supposing that the Divine Power might at that time, by the instrumentality of some natural Agent, to us at present unknown, so depress the Surface of the Ocean, as to force the Waters of the Abyss through the fore∣mentioned Channels and Apertures, and so make them a partial and concurrent Cause of the Deluge.

That there are at some times in the course of Nature extraordinary pressures upon the Surface of the Sea, which force the Water outwards upon the Shores to a great height is evident. We had upon our Coasts the last year an extraordinary Tide, wherein the Water rose so high, as to overflow all the Sea-banks, drown multitudes of Cattel, and fill the lower Rooms of the Houses of many Villages that stood near the Sea, so that the Inhabitants, to save themselves, were forced to get up into the upper Rooms and Garrets

of their Houses. Now how this could be effected, but by an unusual pressure upon the Superficies of the Ocean, I cannot well conceive. In like manner that the Divine Providence might at the time of the Deluge so order and dispose second Causes, as to make so strong a pressure upon the face of the Waters, as to force them up to a height sufficient to overflow the Earth, is no way unreasonable to believe.

These Hypotheses I propose, as seeming to me at present most facile and consonant to Scripture, without any concern for either of them; and therefore am not folicitous to gather together, and heap up Arguments to confirm them, or to answer Objections that may be made against them, being as ready to relinquish them upon better information, as I was to admit and entertain them.

Of the Effects of the Deluge.

I Come now to the Third Particular pro∣posed, that is, To enquire concerning the Consequents of the Deluge, What conside∣rable effects it had upon the Earth and its Inhabitants.

It had doubtless very great, in▪ changing the Superficies of the dry Land: In some places adding to the Sea; in some taking from it; making Islands of Peninsulae, and joining others to the Continent; altering the Beds of Rivers, throwing up lesser Hills, and washing away others, &c. The most re¦markable effects it's likely were in the skirts of the Continents; because the Motion of the Water was there most violent. Athanasius Kircher gives us a Map and Description of the World after the Flood, shewing what Changes were made therein by it, or upon occasion of it afterward, as he fansies or con∣jectures. But because I do not love to trouble the Reader with uncertain Conje∣ctures, I shall content my self to have said

in general, that it may rationally be suppo∣••ed, there were then great Mutations and Alterations made in the superficial part of the Earth: but what they were, though we may guess, yet can we have no certain knowledge of: and for particulars, refer the curious to him.

One malignant effect it had upon Man∣kind, and probably upon other Animals too, in shortning their Age, or the duration of their lives; which I have touched before, and shewn, that this diminution of Age, is to be attributed either to the change of the Temperature of the Air, as to Salubrity, or Equality, (sudden and frequent changes of Weather having a very bad influence upon the Age of Man in abbreviating of it, as I could easily prove) or else to the deteri∣ority of the Diet; or to both these Causes. But how the Flood should induce or occa∣sion such a change in the Air and producti∣ons of the Earth, I do not comprehend.

Of formed Stones, Sea-shells, and oth•• Marine-like Bodies found at great d••∣stances from the Shores:

ANother supposed Effect of the Floo•• was a bringing up out of the Sea, a•••• scattering all the Earth over an innumerabl•• multitude of Shells and Shell-fish; there b••¦ing of these shell-like Bodies, not only o•• lower Grounds and Hillocks, but upon t•• highest Mountains, the Appeunine and Alp•• themselves. A supposed Effect, I say, because it is not yet agreed among the Learned, wh••¦ther these Bodies, formerly called petrif•• Shells, but now a-days passing by the nam•• of formed Stones, be original Productions of Nature, formed in imitation of the Shells of Fishes; or the real Shells themselves, either remaining still entire and uncorrupt, or pe∣trified and turned into Stone, or at least, Stones cast in some Animal Mold. Both parts have strong Arguments and Patrons. I shall not ballance Authorities, but only con∣sider and weigh Arguments.

Those for the latter Part, wherewith I shall begin, are,

First, Because it seems contrary to that great Wisdom of Nature, which is observable in all its Works and Productions, to design every thing to a determinate end, and for the attaining that end, make use of such ways, as are most agreeable to mans reason, that these prettily shaped Bodies, should have all those curious Figures and Contrivances (which many of them are formed and a∣dorned with) generated or wrought by a Plastic Vertue, for no higher end, than only to exhibit such a form. This is Mr. Hook's Argumentation. To which Dr. Plot an∣swers, That the end of such Productions, is to beautifie the World with those Varieties; and that this is no more repugnant to the Prudence of Nature, than is the production of most Flowers, Tulips, Anemones, &c. of which we know as little use of, as of formed Stones. But hereto we may reply, That Flowers are for the ornament of a Body, that hath some degree of life in it: a Vegetative Soul, whereby it performs the actions of Nutriti∣on, Auction and Generation; which it is reasonable should be so beautified: And, Secondly, Flowers serve to embrace and che∣rish the Fruit, while it is yet tender; and to defend it from the injuries of Sun and Wea∣ther;

especially for the Protection and Secu¦rity of the Apices, which are no idle or use¦less part, but contain the Masculine Sperm and serve to give fecundity to the Seed Thirdly, Though formed Stones may be use¦ful to Man in Medicine, yet Flowers afford us abundantly more uses, both in Meat and Medicine.

Yet I must not dissemble, that there is a Phaenomenon in Nature, which doth some what puzzle me to reconcile, with the pru¦dence observable in all its works; and seem strongly to prove, that Nature doth some∣times ludere, and delineate Figures, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other end, but for the ornament of some Stones, and to entertain and gratifie our Cu¦riosity, or exercise our Wits. That is, tho•••• elegant impressions of the Leaves of Plan•••• upon Cole slate, the knowledge whereof, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 must confess my self to owe to my Learned and Ingenious Friend, Mr. Edward Lloyd o•• Oxford, who observed of it in some Cole pits in the way from Wychester in Glocester∣shire to Bristoll; and afterwards communi∣cated to me a Sample of it. That which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 found, was marked with the Leaves of two o•• three kinds of Ferns and of Harts-tongue. He told me also, that Mr. Woodward, a Londoner shewed him very good Draughts of th•• common female Fern, naturally ••••ormed i••

Cole, which himself found in Mendip Hills, and added, that he had found in the same Pits, Draughts of the common Cinquefoil, Clover-grass and Strawberries. But these Figures are more diligently to be observed and considered.

Secondly, There are found in the Earth at great distance from the Sea, real Shells unpe∣trified and uncorrupted, of the exact Figure and Consistency of the present natural Sea-shells, and in all their parts like them, and that not only in the lower Grounds and Hillocks near the Sea, but in Mountains of a consi∣derable height, and distant from the Sea. Chri∣stianus Mentzelius in his Discourse concerning the Bononian Phosphorus, gives us a relation of many Beds of them found mingled with Sand in the upper part of a high Mountain not far from Bologna in Italy. His words are these, Non procul monte Paterno dicto, lapidis Bononiensis patria, unico forte milliari Italico distanti (loci nomen excidit memoriâ) ingens mons imminet praeruptus à violentia torrenti∣um aquarum, quas imbres frequentes ex vici∣nis montibus confluentes efficiunt, atque in∣signes terrarum moles ab isto monte proster∣nunt ac dejiciunt. In hac montis ruina, su∣periore in parte visuntur multae strages seri∣esve, ex testis conchyliorum omnis generis, plurimâ arenâ interjectâ, instar strati super

stratum (ut chymicorum vulgus loquitur.) Est enim inter hasce testarum conchylior•• strages seriésve arena ad crassitiem uln•••• ultra interposita. Erant autem testae va••••¦rum conchyliorum, omnes ab invicem distin••••e nec cuiquam lapidi impactae, adeò ut sep••••¦tim omnia manibus tractari & dignosci p••••¦rint. Effecerat hoc arena pura, nullo l•• lutove intermixta, quae conchyliorum test ••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fervaverat per multa secula integras. I••••∣rea verò diuturnitate temporis omnes istae 〈◊〉〈◊〉 erant in albissimam calcem facilè resolubila Fabius Columna also observes, that in t•••• tophaceous Hills and Cliffs about Andr•• in Apulia, there are found various sorts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sea Shells, both broken and whole, unco••¦rupt, and that have undergone no change. A•• Ovid in Metam. lib. 15.

Et procul à pelago Conchae jacuere marine.

I am also informed by my Learned and W•••• thy Friend Dr. Tancred Robinson, That S••¦nior Settali shewed him in his Museum •• Milan, many Turbens, Echini, Pearl-she•• (one with a Pearl in it) Pectunculi, and s••¦veral other perfect Shells, which he himse•• found in the Mountains near Genoa, and a••¦terwards my said Friend took notice al•• of several Beds of them himself, as he passe

over Mount Cenis, above fifty Leagues di∣stant from the Sea. Moreover, my fore∣mentioned Friend Mr. Lloyd sent me perfect Escallop and Sea-Urchin Shells, exactly resem∣bling the like Sea-Shells, both for figure, co∣lour, weight and consistency: which he himself gathered up near Oxford. Now that Nature should form real shells, without any design of covering an Animal, is indeed so contrary to that innate Prolepsis we have of the Pru∣dence of Nature, (that is the Author of Nature) that without doing some Violence to our Faculties, we can hardly prevail with our selves to believe it: and gives great countenance to the Atheists assertion, that things were made or did exist by chance, without counsel or direction to any end.

Add hereto Thirdly, That there are other Bodies besides Shells found in the Earth, re∣sembling the Teeth and Bones of some Fishes, which are so manifestly the very things they are thought only to resemble, that it might be esteemed obstinacy in any man that hath viewed and considered them to deny it. Such are the Glossopetrae dug up in Malta in such abundance, that you may buy them by measure, and not by tale: and also the Ver∣tebres of Thornbacks and other Cartilagine∣ous Fishes there found, and sold for Stones ••mong the Glossopetrae, which have no grea∣ter

dissimilitude to the Teeth of a living Shark, and Vertebres of a Thornback, then lying so long in the Earth, as they must needs have done, will necessarily induce. And if the very inspection of these Bodies, is not enough to convince any man, that they are no Stones, but real Teeth and Bones, Fa∣bius Columna proves it by several strong Argu∣ments. 1. Those things which have a woody, bony or fleshy nature, by burning are changed first into a Coal, before they go into a Calx or Ashes: but those which are of a tophaceous or stony substance, go not first into a Coal, but burn immediately into a Calx or Lime, unless by some vitreous or metallick mixture they be melted. Now these Teeth being burnt, pass presently in∣to a Coal, but the tophous substance adhe∣ring to them, doth not so; whence it is clear, that they are of an osseous, and no stony nature.

Next he shews, that they do not shoot into this form after the manner o•• Salts or Crystal, which I shall have occasio•• further to treat of by and by. Then h•• proves it from that Axiom, Natura nihil f••¦cit frustra; Nature makes nothing in vai•• But these Teeth, were they thus formed i•• the Earth, would be in vain; for they coul•• not have any use of Teeth; as neither th••

Bones of supporting any Animal. Nature never made Teeth without a Jaw, nor Shells without an Animal Inhabitant, nor single Bones, no not in their own proper Element, much less in a strange one. Further he ar∣gues, from the difficulty or impossibility of the Generation of Glossopetrae in such places; because, among Tophi and Stones in those dry places, there could not be found matter fit for to make them of. But granting that, ••he queries whether they were generated at first all of a sudden, or grew by little and ••ittle from small to great, as Animals Teeth, whose form they imitate, do. If the first be ••aid, He demands, Whether the Tophus, out of which they were extracted, were gene∣••ated before or after the Teeth were perfe∣cted? If it be said before, he asks, Whether ••here were a place in it of the figure and magnitude of the Tooth, or did the Tooth make it self a place? If the Tophus were ••oncrete before, and without a cavity, the ••egetative power of the Stone now in birth, ••ould not by force make it self a place in ••he hard and solid Tophus; or if it could and ••id, the Tophus must needs be rent. If there were a place before ready made in the To∣••hus, then was not that figure excavated in ••he Tophus by the vegetative nature of the Tooth it self; but the Tophus by its own na∣ture

and precedent cavity, gave the form to the Tooth. If the latter part be chosen, and it be said, that the Stone by its vegetative power grew by degrees; it may be answered as before, that could not be; because the hardness of the Tophus could not have yielded to the vegetative force of the Tooth, but would rather have been rent or divi∣ded by it; or rather the Tophus it self must have vegetated, containing a cavity or uterus of the shape of the Tooth, into which a•• osseous humor, penetrating through the Pores, and filling the cavity of the Ʋterus, must there have coagulated, and taken the form thereof, as is observed in Stones that have their original from a Fluor. That both Tooth and Case might vegetate together he denies, because in all the Teeth which he had seen, the Basis or Root was found bro∣ken, and that not with an uniform fracture but different in every one. Which Argu∣ment is not to be slighted, for that it shew•• or proves, that there was no vegetation i•• the case; because in all other figured Fos¦sils it is observed, that they are never foun•• mutilous, broken or imperfect. Neithe•• can it reasonably be said or believed, tha•• these Roots or Teeth were by some chanc•• broken within the Tophi, but rather, tha•• when they were casually overwhelmed an••

buried in that tophous Earth, they were bro∣ken off from the Jaws of the Animal in those volutations, and so in that manner mu∣tilated. Another Argument to prove them to be true Teeth and no Stones, he brings from their various parts and figures, which must else have been so wrought and formed in vain. The Tooth being not one homo∣geneous Body, but compounded of parts of a different constitution, there must in the formation of it be made a various election of humors, one for the Root, one for the Inner Part, one for the Superficies of it. Then for the Figures, Magnitude, Situation or Posture, and fitting of them; some are great, and broad, and almost triangular; others narrower and smaller, others very small and narrow, of a pyramidal figure, some streight, some crooked, bending down∣wards, or toward the nether side, some in∣clining toward the left, others toward the right side: some serrate with small Teeth, others with great Indentures (which is ob∣served in the lesser triangular ones) some smooth without any Teeth, as the narrow pyramidal ones. All which things are ob∣served in Shark's Teeth, not only by the Learned Naturalists, but also by Fisher-men and Mariners. The first row of Teeth in these Animals hanging out of the mouth,

bend forward and downward; the second row are streight, especially toward the sides of the mouth, where they are triangular and broad, the other rows bend downward toward the inner part of the mouth. Thus far Columna.

Fourthly, If these formed Stones be in∣deed original Productions of Nature, in imi∣tation of Shells and Bones, how comes it to pass, that there should be none found, that resemble any other natural Body, but the Shells and Bones of Fishes only? Why should not Nature as well imitate the Horns, Hoofs, Teeth, or Bones of Land Animals, or the Fruits, Nuts, and Seed of Plants? Now my learned Friend Mr. Edward Lloyd above men∣tioned, who hath been most diligent in col∣lecting, and curious in observing these Bo∣dies of any man I know, or ever heard of, tells me, that he never found himself, or had seen in any Cabinet, or Collection, any one Stone that he could compare to any part of a Land Animal. As for such that do not resemble any part of a Fish, they are either Rock Plants, as the Astroites, Asteriae tro∣chites, &c. or do shoot into that form, after the manner of Salts and Fluors, as the Be∣lemnites and Selenites.

Fifthly, Those that deny these Bodies to have been the Shells and Bones of Fishes,

have given us no satisfactory account of the manner of their Production. For that they do not shoot into that form after the manner of Salts, may be proved by many Arguments. First, All Salts that shoot their Crystals or Concretions, are of one uniform substance, and their Figures are more simple, and may be owing to the Figure of the Prin∣ciples whereof they are compounded: in other Bodies that shoot, as the Pyrites and Belemnites, one may observe streight Radii or Fibres proceeding from one Center. Se∣condly, Did those Bodies shoot into these Figures after the manner of Salts, it seems strange to me, that two Shells should be so adapted together at the heel, as to shoot out to the same extension round, and the upper and nether Valve be of different Fi∣gure, as in natural Shells. Thirdly, Were these Bodies produced in the manner of sa∣line Concretions, it's strange there should be such varieties of them, and their Shapes so regular, and exactly circumscribed: so great a diversity of Figures, arguing a greater va∣riety of Salts, or of their modifications and mixtures, than are likely to be found in Na∣ture; and the Curvilineous Concretions of Salts never, that I have yet seen, appearing in that regularity of Figure and due Cir∣cumscription, as in these Bodies: which is

an Argument of the Government of some Principle, superior to Matter figured and moved, in their Formations.

4ly, Were these Bodies nothing but Concre∣tions of Salts or saline mixtures, it seems no less strange, that so many Liquors impregnated with all sorts of Salts and Mineral Juices, in all proportions, having been at one time or other industriously or accidentally exposed to crystallize, and let stand long in Vessels, there should never have been found in them any such Concretions. For if any had hap∣pened, we should doubtless have heard of them, and the Observers would have im∣proved such an Experiment to the Production of the like Bodies at their pleasure. So I have finished what I have to alledge in de∣fence of the latter part, That these formed Stones, were sometimes the real Shells or Bones of Fishes, I mean the figured part of them.

I proceed now to set down, what may be objected against this Opinion, or offered in assertion of the contrary, viz. That these Bodies are primitive Productions of Na∣ture, in imitation of the Shells and Bones of Fishes.

Against the former Opinion we have been pleading for, it may be objected, That there follow such strange and seemingly absurd

Consequences from it, as are hardly recon∣cileable to Scripture, or indeed to sober Rea∣son: as,

First, That the Waters must have cove∣red the whole Earth, even the highest Mountains, and that for a long time, there being found of these Shells, not only in the most mountainous parts of our Countrey, but in the highest Mountains in Europe, the Appennine and Alps themselves, and that not only scattered, but amassed in great lumps, and lying thick in Beds of Sand, as we have before shewn. Now this could hardly be the effect of a short Deluge, which if it had carried any Shell fish so high, would in all likelihood have scattered them very thin. These Beds and Lumps of them necessarily inferring, that they must have bred there, which is a work of time.

Now the general Deluge lasted in the whole, but ten Months; and it's not likely the Tops of the Mountains were covered half that time. Neither is it less repugnant to Reason than Scripture; for if the Waters stood so high above the Earth, for so long a time, they must by reason of their Conflu∣ence, be raised as high above the Sea too. But what is now become of this huge Mass of Waters, equal to six or seven Oceans? May not the Stoicks here set in, and help us

out at a dead lift? The Sun and Moon, say they, might possibly sup it all up. Yea, but we cannot allow time enough for that; for according to the moderate Draughts they take now a-days, one Ocean would suffice to water them many Ages, unless perchance when they were young and hot, they might need more drink. But to be serious, I have no way to answer this Objection, but by de∣nying, that there are any Beds or great Lumps and Masses of these formed Stones to be found near the Tops of the Alps, or other high Mountains; but yet there might be some particular Shells scattered there by the general Deluge. Another thing there is as difficult to give an account off, as of the Shells getting up to the Tops of Mountains: that is, of those several Beds or Floors of Earth and Sand, &c. one above another, which are ob∣served in broken Mountains. For one can∣not easily imagine, whence these Floors o•• Beds in the manner of Strata super strata (as the Chymists speak) should come, but from the Sediments of great Floods, which how or whence, they could bring so great a quantity of Earth down, when there was but little Land above the Sea, I cannot see. And one would likewise be apt to think, that such a Bed of Sands, with plenty of Cockle-shells intermixt, as we mentioned be∣fore

in the Mountain near Bononia in Italy, must have been sometimes the Bottom of the Sea. But before one can give a right judgment of these things, one must view the Mountains where such Layers and Beds of Earth and Shells are found: for perchance they may not be elevated so high above the present Surface of the Sea, as one would judge by the descriptions of them.

Secondly, It would hence follow, that ma∣ny Species of Shell-fish are lost out of the World, which Philosophers hitherto have been unwilling to admit, esteeming the de∣struction of any one Species a dismembring of the Universe, and rendring it imperfect: whereas they think the Divine Providence is especially concerned to secure and preserve the Works of the Creation: and that it is so, appears, in that it was so careful to lodge all Land-Animals in the Ark at the time of the general Deluge. The Conse∣quence is proved in that, Among these pe∣trified Shells, there are many sorts observed, which are not at this day, that we know of, any where to be found. Such are a whole genus of Cornua Ammonis, which some have supposed to be Nautili, though to me they do not seem so to be, but a different Genus by themselves, of which there have not any been seen either cast a shore, or raked

out of the Sea, at any time, that ever I heard of. Nay, my very Learned and Ho∣noured Friend Dr. Lister proceeds further, and saith, That when he particularly exa∣mined some of our English Shores for Shells, as also the Fresh Waters and the Fields, that he did never meet with any one of those Species of Shells found at- Adderton in York∣shire, Wansford bridge in Northamptonshire, and about Gunthorp and Beauvoir-Castle, &c. any where else, but in their respective Quar∣ries. What can we say to this? Why it is possible that many sorts of Shell-Fish may be lodged so deep in the Seas, or on Rocks so remote from the Shores, that they may ne∣ver come to our sight.

Thirdly, It follows also, that there have been Shell fish in these cold Northern Seas of greater bulk and dimensions, than any now living; I do not say in these, but in the most Southernly and Indian; viz. Cornua Ammonis of two foot diameter, and of thick∣ness answerable.

To this I answer, That there are no pe∣trified Shells that do in bigness much ex∣ceed those of the natural Shell fish found in our Seas, save the Cornua Ammonis only, which I suspect to have never been, nor had any relation to any Shells of Fishes: or to imitate or resemble them, at least some of

them. As for the Nautili, they are much different from them. For the Nautili, at least all the Species of them known to us, are (as Dr. Plot well observes) extrava∣gantly broad at the mouth, and have not more than two other small turns at the most, whereas the turns of the Ophiomor∣phites are proportionable one to another; and in number many times four or five, and sometimes six, if we may believe Aldrovand. And there are Nautili lapidei, which do as nearly resemble the Nautilus Shells as any other Cochlites do their respective proto∣types, As Mr. Lloyd assures me he had ob∣served many in Museums. And the Learned and Ingenious Mr. Richard Waller then Se∣cretary to the Royal Society in a Letter to me dated Feb. 4.—87. writes, That he had been lately at Keinsham in Sommersetshire, and making a search after the Cornua Ammonis, found one of the true Nautilus shape, cove∣red in some places with a shelly Incrustation with the Diaphragms to be seen to the Cen∣ter of the Volutae, and in each Diaphragm, the hole by which they communicate one with another, by a string or gut in the Fish. This was of a very hard Stone and large size, weighing at least twenty eight pound, though some part was broken off. Another Argu∣ment that they have no relation to the com∣mon

Nautili, is, that they break into pieces somewhat resembling Vertebres, as I was first advised by the fore remembred Mr. Lloyd, and have since noted my self. I also re∣ceived from that very Ingenious and Inquisi∣tive Gentleman, happy in making natural Discoveries, Mr. William Cole of Bristoll such an Account of a sort or two of these Ophi∣omorphus Bodies, as is enough to stagger any mans belief, if not utterly to overthrow his Opinion of their owning their original to any Sea-shell; which take in his words. A∣mong others of this kind of Bodies which I have observed, I shall instance in one, which can be reduced to none but the Ophiomor∣phites, which I found growing between the thin Plates of a kind of brittle blew Slate in large Rocks, some a furlong within the Full-Sea Mark, and in some where the Water comes not at highest Tides, only in great Storms, when the Waves break, it is dasht sometimes against them, being forced up by the Winds; which being broken with a convenient Tool, will shiver all into very thin Plates; be∣tween which I have found in abundance of those Stones, but as brittle as the Slate in which they grew, and of the same consistence; but so thin, that the broadest, being about four Inches, are not so thick as a Half-Crown Piece, some not half an Inch broad, were as

thin as a Groat, and so proportionably up to the largest, covered with a Superficies as thin, and exactly of the colour of Silver foil: and where the Sea water washeth them, and they are exposed to the Sun and Wind when the Tide is gone, they are tarnished, and appear of a Gold, Purple, Blew and Red; as any thing on which Silver foil is laid, being exposed a considerable time to the Sun, Wind and Wea∣ther, will do. These have the same Spiral Figures, and as regular as the other Serpent-Stones, and being taken off with a Knife, leave the same impressions on both sides of the Slate.

In some such Rocks of Slate, but much harder, I found some of those Stones of ano∣ther kind, thick in proportion to their breadth, from an Inch to twenty eight Inches broad; in the broadest one was at the great end (on which some Authors have fabulously reported the head to grow) six Inches thick: all of them cove∣red over with a white Scale, which will be taken off, one coat under another, as Pearls or the Shells of some Fishes. I saw some im∣pressions as big as the Fore-wheel of a Cha∣riot, &c. What shall we say to this? Were there ever any Shell-fish in ours or other Seas, as broad as a Coach-wheel? others as thin as a Groat? What is become of all this kind of Ophiomorphite Shell-fish? And yet

(which is strange) both these kinds by Mr. Cole's description, seem to have been co∣vered with Shells.

By what I have said concerning these Ophi∣omorphous Stones not to have been Nautili, I would not be thought to reflect upon, or detract from the Veracity or Exactness of the Observations of Mr. Robert Hook, whom, for his Learning and deep Insight into the Mysteries of Nature, I deservedly honour. I question not, but he found in the Keinsham Ophiomorphites perfect Diaphragms of a very distinct substance from that which fil∣led the Cavities, and exactly of that kind which covered the out-side, being for the most part Whitish, or Mother of Pearl co∣loured. Mr. Waller fore-mentioned attests the same, writing in his Letter to me of Feb. 4. 1687. that in the ordinary Snake-stones there, the shelly Diaphragms were very visible. In this respect they do re∣semble Nautili; though for their Figure they are much different, and of a distinct Genus. I never broke any of the Keinsham Stones; but of those found about Whitby in Yorkshire many; but could not observe in them any shell-like Diaphragms, only they broke into such pieces as I mentioned before. And my Dear and much Honoured Friend Dr. Tancred Robinson writes me, That he had

broken several Cornua Ammonis, but could never find any Diaphragms or Valves in them, though he confesseth Mr. Woodward shew'd him one with such in his curious Collection of Petrifactions. So that these Diaphragms are not to be found in all the sorts of them. But if they be found in some, it is a strong presumption, that they were at first in all, however they come to dis∣appear.

In fine, these Ophiomorphous Stones do more puzzle and confound me, than any other of the formed Stones whatsoever, be∣cause by Mr. Hook's Description of these of Keinsham, they seem to have been, or to owe their Original to Shells; and yet there is nothing like them appears at this day in out or any other Seas, as far as I have heard or read.

Thirdly, A Second Argument to prove these formed Stones never to have been Shells▪ Dr. Plot affords us, Because that even those Shells, which so exactly represent some sorts of Shell-fish, that there can be no ex∣ception upon the account of Figure, but that they might formerly have been Shells in∣deed, at some places are found only with one Shell, and not the other. Thus in Cow∣ley Common [in Oxfordshire] we meet only with the gibbous, not the flat Shell of the

petrified Oyster, and so of the Escallop-Stones in the Quarries near Shotover: which if they had once been the Shells of Oysters and Es∣callops, had scarce been thus parted. To this I answer, That this Argument is not necessarily conclusive; because there may possibly be some reason of it, though we know it not, nor can easily imagine any. The like Answer may be returned to his next Argument.

Thirdly, Because (saith the Doctor) I can by no means satisfie my self, how it should come to pass, that in case these Bodies had once been moulded in Shells, some of the same kind should be found in Beds, as the Con∣chites at Langley, Charlton, Adderbury; An•• others scattered as at Glympton, and Teynton, •• so the Ostracites at Shotover and Cowley. N•• how it should fall out▪ that some of thes•• Bivalves should always be found with thei•• Shells separate, as the Ostracites and Pectines and others always closed together, as th•• Conchites in all places I have yet seen.

Fourthly, Because many of these forme•• Stones seem now to be in fieri, (which is th•• Doctor's next Argument) as the Selenites a•• Shotover and Hampton-gay, the Conchytes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Glympton and Cornwell, many of which we•• of a perfect Clay and others of Stone, & As for the Selenites, I grant them to hav••

been in fieri, because they are formed after the manner of Salts by shooting or crystalli∣zation; but concerning the Clay Cockles I say with the Civilians, ampliandum. But to give these Arguments their due, though they be not demonstrative proofs, yet they infer a great degree of probability, and shrewdly urge and shake the contrary Opi∣nion.

The other Arguments, the Doctor alledges, admit a plausible solution, excepting such as we have already touched, and given as good an answer to, as either the matter will ad∣mit, or we were able to give.

To the First, That there are found Stones resembling Shell-fish that stick to Rocks: I answer, That many of them might by acci∣dent be rub'd off the Rocks they stick to, or thrust off by Birds insinuating their Bills be∣tween the Shell and Rock, to feed upon their meat; but by what means soever it be, that they are sometimes broken off, the matter of fact is certain; for we find many patelloe cast upon the Shores by the working of the Sea, Why then might they not be brought up by the Flood?

To the Second, Why might not the Bones of Whales, Sea-horses, all squamose Fishes, the great Shells of the Buccina, Murices, Con∣che Veneris, & Solenes, and almost all the

crustaceous kind, as Crabs and Lobsters, &c. as well have been brought up and left be∣hind by the Flood, and afterward petrified, as any of the testaceous kind? I answer, Of the great Buccina, Murices and Conchae Vene∣ris, there are very few or none found in our Seas: it may be there are of them in the Mountains and Quarries of the Indies, were any man so curious as to search them out: Though it's likely but few, because being great things, easie to be seen, and that part of the World having been fully peopled soon after the Flood, their beauty might invite the Inhabitants to search them out, and ga∣ther them up. But Secondly, Those other kinds may possibly be less durable, and more apt to be wrought upon, to moulder, decay and be dissolved in time by the Weather Rains and Moisture of the Earth, or were not so susceptive of petrifying Juices.

The Third Argument is already answered in the precedent Discourse.

To the Fourth Argument as to what con∣cerns the Selenites, Astroites and Belemnites we have answered already. That the Spe¦cies of Brontiae cannot be the petrified Shell•• of Echini Spatagi, the Arguments the Docto•• alledges out of Aristotle and Rondeletius d•• not evince. For though in some Seas the•• may be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, yet in other

are they plentiful enough. In our own Seas at Llandwyn in the Isle of Anglesey we may reasonably conjecture, they are more plentiful than the common Echini any where with us; because we found more of their Shells cast up there on the Shore, than of the Echini in any Shore about England: nay, so common are they there, that even the Vulgar have taken notice of them, and im∣posed a Name upon them, calling them Mer∣mayds Heads. And though their Bristles or Prickles were but small, yet were they not few or thin set, as Rondeletius saith.

How the Snake-stones about Huntly-nab and Whitby in Yorkshire came to be included in Globular or Centricular Stones, is not difficult to make out: for the Cliffs there∣about being Allume-stone or Mine, wherein these Snake-stones lye; the Sea in Spring∣tides and tempestuous weather undermines and throws down part of the Shore or Cliffs, which by the fall break in pieces, and the Ophiomorphus Stone being harder than the rest of the Cliff, is broken off from it by the fall, or its volutation in the Sea afterward, with some part of the Cliff or Allume-stone sticking to each side of it where it is concave, and by reason of its Figure and Striae, cannot easily part from it.

Lastly, To dissemble nothing, I have my self observed some Cockle-stones to have seemingly different impressions or Striae up∣on the same Superficies; which Phaenomenon it is very hard to give an account of. I have also observed a large Stone almost as hard as Marble, that was so marked every where throughout with the impressions of Cockles and their Striae, so crossing one another in every part of it, that if it were nothing but Shells amassed together by a stony Cement; those Shells must have before their Concre∣tion been broken into infinite small pieces or fragments, scarce any remaining entire; which I do not see how any Floods or work∣ing of the Sea, could possibly effect.

So I have finished what I had to say con∣cerning this supposed Effect of the Deluge, the bringing in of Shells, and scattering them all over the dry Land. But yet I must not dismiss this particular, till I have said some∣thing to an Objection that presently occurrs to any one who considers this matter. The Waters of the Flood having been supplied partly by Rains, partly by the breaking up of the Fountains of the great Deep, and not by any Irruption or Inundation of the Sea, how could any Sea-shells at all be brought in by it?

To this I answer, That the great Deep communicates with the Sea; and the Wa∣ters rising up out of the subterraneous A∣byss, the Sea must needs succeed, else would there have been an empty space left in the middle of the Earth; so that the Shell-fish might as well come in this way from the bottom of the Sea, as by an Inundation: in like manner as the Fish in the Lake of Carniola, called the Zirchnitzer See do descend annually under gro••nd through many great holes in the bottom, and return again by the same holes. To all this I might add, that into the Lands near the skirts of the Sea, and lower Hills, these Shells might in part be brought by particular Floods, of which many we read of, & more pos∣sibly than are recorded in any History may have happened since the general Deluge. Hence the chief Champions of the Opinion of Mock-shells are not difficult to grant, that in some Countries, and particularly along the Shore of the Mediterranean Sea, there may all manner of Shells be found promiscuously included in the Rocks or Earth, and at good di∣stances too from the Sea. Which are the words of Dr. Lister, repeated and approved by Dr. Plot. But this will not serve their turn; for we have before proved, that in the middle part, and near the Center of our own

Countrey, at a great distance from the Sea, viz. in Oxfordshire, there are found not only shell-like Stones, but real Shells, or Mock-shells (as some esteem them) for Figure, Colour, Weight, Consistency, or any other Accident not to be distinguished from true Shells; and that not such as have been acci∣dentally scattered there, but dig'd out of the ground in plenty, and of Fishes that are rarely found in our Seas: Patterns whereof were sent ••e by my Ingenious Friend, Mr. Lloyd. Who, I hope will ere long gra∣tifie the Curious, by publishing a gene∣ral Catalogue of all the formed Stones found in England, and his Remarks upon them.

And I have likewise proved by good Au∣thority, that beyond the Seas, in high Moun∣tains, and many Leagues distant from the Sea too, there have been Beds of real Shells. I might have added Sharks-teeth or Glosse∣petrae, as both Goropius Becanus and Georgius Agricola testifie; if not in Beds, yet plentifully disperst in the Earth. There are several Me∣dical Histories extant (as Dr. Tancred Ro∣binson informs me) of perfect Shells found in Animal Bodies, in whose Glands they were originally formed, which is a conside∣rable Objection, not easily to be removed.

Notes

• L. 2. c. 6.
• L. 2 c. 6.
• Arcae Noael l. 2. c. 4.
• Hist. Nat. Staf∣ford, p. 79.
• Swoln Throats.
• †

  De Sub∣tilit. Ex∣erc. 60. Sect. 2.
• De Arca Noae, p. 192
• Dissert. De Glosso∣petra.
• Hist. nat. Oxf. p. 117.