An essay toward a natural history of the earth and terrestrial bodies, especially minerals : as also of the sea, rivers, and springs : with an account of the universal deluge : and of the effects that it had upon the earth / by John Woodward ...

PART V. Of the Alterations which the Ter∣raqueous Globe hath undergone since the time of the Deluge.

IT now remains that we take a view of the Postdiluvian State of this our Globe: that we examine how it hath stood for this last four thousand years: that we enquire what Accidents have befallen it, and what Alterations it hath suffered since that wonderful Change it underwent at the Deluge.

There have been some who have made a mighty Outcry about Changes and Alterations in the Terraqueous Globe. The Pretences and Pleas of each I consider in the first Part of this Essay: shewing that they are without any just ground: and that there are no Signs or Footsteps, in all the whole Globe, of any such Alterations. And indeed 'tis well for the World that

there are not; for the Alterations which they have fancied are such as turn all the wrong way: such as are without use, and have no end at all, or, which is worse than none, a bad one: and tend to the damage and detri∣ment of the Earth and its Productions.

Notwithstanding, some Alterations there are which it hath, and doth still undergo. This is what we may pro∣nounce with Certainty: and there want not Instances enough sufficiently to vouch and attest it. But these Al∣terations are of a quite different Strain: these are as amicable and benificent to the Earth and Terrestrial Bodies, as the other, were there really any such, would be pernicious and destructive to both. I have already * 1.1 given some Intimations of the Changes which hap∣pen in the interiour parts of the Earth, I mean the Transitions and Removes of Metalls and Minerals there: and shewn of what use and advantage those Changes are to the World † 1.2. So that I may now pass freely on to consider those which befall the exteriour▪ or Sur∣face of it. And these are brought about silently and insensibly; and, which is the constant Method of Nature, with

all imaginable Benignity and Gentle∣ness. Here is none of the Hurry and Precipitation: none of the Blustering and Violence: no more than any of the direful and ruinous Effects, which must needs have attended those Suppo∣sititious Changes. And as these Alte∣rations are not great, so neither are they numerous. I have made careful search on all hands, and canvass'd the Matter with all possible Diligence, and yet there are none that I can advance from my own Observations, but

[ 1] That the upper or outermost Stra∣tum of Earth: that Stratum whereon Men and other Animals tread, and Vegetables grow, is in a perpetual Flux and Change; this being the common Fund and Promptuary that supplies and sends forth Matter for the Forma∣tion of Bodies upon the face of the Earth. That all Animals, and parti∣cularly Mankind, as well as all Vege∣tables, which have had Being since the Creation of the World, derived all the constituent Matter of their Bodies, suc∣cessively, in all Ages, out of this Fund.

That the Matter which is thus drawn out of this Stratum for the For∣mation of these Bodies, is at length

laid down again in it, and restored back unto it, upon the Dissolution of them; where it lies ready to be again assu∣med, and educed thence for the fitting forth of other like Bodies in a conti∣nual Succession.

That the constituent Matter of any one Body being proper, and turning thus naturally, when again refunded into this Stratum, to the Constitution of another like Body, there is a kind of Revolution or Circulation of it; so that the Stock or Fund can never pos∣sibly be exhausted, nor the Flux and Alteration sensible.

That as the Bodies which arise out of this Fund are various, differing very much, not only from one another, but the Members, Organs, or Parts of each individual amongst themselves: so likewise is the Matter of this Fund whereof they all consist. For though when confusedly blended and mingled, as it is whilst lying in this Stratum, it may put on a Face never so uniform and alike, yet it is in reality very diffe∣rent, and consists of several Ranks, Sets, or kinds of Corpuscles.

That all the Corpuscles that are of the same Set, or Kind, agree in every

thing, and are most exactly like unto each other in all respects: but those that are of diverse kinds, differ from one another, as well in Matter or Substance, in Specifick Gravity, in Hardness, in Flexibility, and several other ways, as in Bigness and Figure. That from the various Composures and Combinations of these Corpusoles together, happen all the Varieties of the Bodies formed out of them: all their Differences in Colour and outward Appearance, in Taste, in Smell, in Hardness, in speci∣fick Gravity, and all other Regards; in much the same manner as that vast variety we see of Words arises from the various Order and Composition of the twenty four Letters of the Alphabet. But of this Matter, and of the Process and Method of Nature in the Formati∣on of Bodies out of it, I shall treat more at large in the Discourse it self: where∣in I shall also consider the Opinions of Others, particularly the Ancients, and, amongst the rest, of Thales and Pytha∣goras, about the Elements or Principles of Natural Things: for I now hasten to propose the other Alterations that happen in the Terraqueous Globe.

That Rocks, Mountains, and the [ 2] other Elevations of the Earth (espe∣cially those whose Surfaces are yearly stirr'd and disturbed by digging, plow∣ing, or the like) suffer a continual Decrement, and grow lower and lower; the superficial parts of them being by little and little wash'd away by Rains, and born down upon the subjacent Plains and Valleys. That even the Stone it self (whether naked and un∣covered as in Rocks, or invested with a Stratum of Earth as is that in our ordi∣nary Hills) is not, by its Solidity, priviledg'd and secured against them, but is dissolved by degrees, and wash'd also down, in its turn, as well as the looser Earth.

That the Matter which thus de∣volves [ 3] from the Hills down upon the lower Grounds, does not considerably raise and augment them; a great part of it, viz the vegetative and lighter Ter∣restrial Matter, being either mounted up into the Atmosphere by the ascend∣ing Vapour * 1.3, or carried along with the Rain-water into Rivers, and, by them, into the Sea † 1.4; whence 'tis re∣turned back again to the Earth disper∣sedly by Rain † 1.5, and serves for the

Nutriment and Formation of the Plants which grow thereon: and the rest of it, being more crass and ponderous, does not move far, but lodges in the Clefts, Craggs, and sides of the Rocks or Mountains, and at or near the Roots or Bottoms of them.

[ 4] That the Stone of Rocks and Moun∣tains being by degrees in this manner dissolved, and the Sand born off, the Shells, and other Marine Bodies which were originally included therein * 1.6, are by that means let loose, turned out, and exposed upon the Surface of the Earth. That 'tis for this reason that these Marine Bodies are now most commonly found upon Hills, and the higher Grounds; those few which are found below and at the bottoms of them, being for the most part only such as have fallen down from above, and from the tops of them; those which were, at the time of the Deluge, re∣posed upon the Surface of the Earth, being most of them perish'd and gone ‖ 1.7: and indeed these, which are yet exi∣stent, only accidentally preserved by their being at first enclosed in the Strata of Stone, and so secured by it as long as it was it self secure, I mean,

untill it was thus dissolved, and so could not any longer contribute any thing to their Preservation.

That these Shells and other Bodies, [ 5] being thus turned out of the Stone, and exposed loose upon the Surface of the Earth, to the Injuries of Weather, and of the Plough, to be trod upon by Horses and other Cattel, and to many other external Accidents, are, in tract of time, worn, fretted, and broken to pieces.

That the Shells being so broken, struck off, and gone, the Stone included in them is thereby disclosed and set at liberty; which Stone consists of the Sand wherewith the Cavities of those Shells were filled when they were su∣stained together with it in the Water at the Deluge ‖ 1.8, and which at length subsided in them, and was lodged with them in the Strata of Sand-stone; the Sand contained within the Shell beco∣ming solid and consistent at the same time that the ambient, or that of the Stratum without it, did † 1.9.

That therefore the Shells served as Plasms or Moulds to this Sand; which, when consolidated, and afterwards in tract of time by this means freed from

its investient Shell, is of the same shape and size as is the Cavity of the Shell, of what kind soever that Shell happen∣ed to be. That this is the true Origin of those Stones (consisting of Sand * 1.10) which are called, by Authors, Cochlitae, Conchitae, M••it••, Ostracitae, Ctenitae ‖ 1.11, &c. and which are of constant, regular, and specifick Figures; as are the Coch∣leae, Conchae, and the other Shells in which they were moulded, and from which, by reason of their so near re∣semblance of the insides of them, they borrow their several Denominations.

[ 6] That these formed Stones being by this means despoiled of their Shells, and exposed naked, upon the Surface of the ground, to the Injuries before recited, do also themselves in time de∣cay, wear, and moulder away, and are frequently found defaced and bro∣ken to pieces: in like manner as the Strata of Stone wherein they were ori∣ginally lodged first did: and after∣wards the Shells wherein these Stones were enclosed and formed.

This Deterration, as 'tis called, or Devolution of Earth and Sand from the Mountains and higher grounds, is not in equal quantity and alike in all

places, but varies according to the dif∣ferent height of those Mountains, and to the extent of the Plane at top of them: to the different consistence and durableness of the Strata whereof they consist: and according as they are more or less disturbed by Showers † 1.12, Ploughing, or other Accidents. Nay this Deterration varies in different parts of even the same Mountain; those which lye nearer to the Brink or Mar∣gin of it suffering a quicker and greater Decrement than those which are more remote therefrom, and towards the middle of it. But though this Devo∣lution be thus different, 'tis no•• any where, even where greatest, very con∣siderable; and therefore does not make any great Alteration in the Face of the Earth. This I have learn'd from Ob∣servations purposely made in several Parts of England; and when I shall, in the larger Work, propose the Standard whereby I give Judgment of it, any one may presently and easily inform himself of the quantity and measure of it, either here, or in any other part of the World.

There are indeed some other Casu∣alties that the Globe is obnoxious unto;

such as Earthquakes, and the burning Mountains, or Vulcanoes. But of these, I thank God, and the good Constitu∣tion of this happy Island, I have not had any opportunity of Observation. Yet something I have to offer concern∣ing these, and the Causes of them, from the Observations of others. Not that the Thing is so very material, or that they make such havock of, and Alterations in, the Globe as some Men fancy. We have assurance from Hi∣story, that AEtna and Vesuvius have sent forth Flames, by fits, for this two or three thousand years, and no doubt but they have done so much longer; and yet we see both Sicily and Campa∣nia, the Countries wherein those two Mountains stand, are still where they were: nay the very Mountains them∣selves are yet in Being, and have not suffered any considerable Diminution or Consumption, but are at this day the two highest Mountains in those Countries. What they have really suffered: by what means both these, and Earthquakes, are occasioned: and what are their Effects upon the Globe, shall be fully and carefully considered in due place; from which Considera∣tions

it will appear, that even these have their uses: and that, although they do make some lesser Alterations in some few Parts of the Earth, and sometimes molest and incommode the Inhabitants of those Parts, yet the Agent, whereby both the one and the other is effected, is of that indispensible Necessity and Vse both to the Earth it self, to Mankind, and to all other the Productions of it, that they could not subsist without it. I have already gi∣ven some brief Intimations that Winds and Hurricanes at Land * 1.13, Tempests and Storms at Sea † 1.14, (things that have al∣ways been look'd upon with as evil an eye as Earthquakes, and pointed at as only disastrous and mischievous to the World) are yet not without a very necessary and excellent Use: the same have I also done concerning Vulcano's ‖ 1.15; but I must not dwell upon these things too long, wherefore I shall only now dispatch what is further necessary to be hinted here about this Decrement of Mountains, and then conclude this Part.

And this, as it does not make any great Alteration, so neither doth that, which it really does make, any ways

end••mage or disorder the Globe: nor is it any the least Detriment or Disad∣vantage to the Productions of it, to Vegetables, to Animals, and particu∣larly to Mankind: nor does it thwart and interfere with the grand Design of Providence, viz. the Conservation of the Globe, and the Propagation of Bo∣dies upon it, for the use of Man. So far from this, that it is very highly beneficial and serviceable to both; which will further appear if we con∣sider,

That in the first Ages after the De∣luge, when the number of Mankind, of Quadrupeds, and of the other Ani∣mals was but small, the Vallies and Plains were more than sufficient for their Habitation and Use. And, by such time as that Stock of them was enlarged, that they were further spread and multiplied, and thereby the Earth so far peopled and replenish'd that the Hills and higher Grounds began to be needed; those Rocks and Mountains which in the first Ages were high, steep, and craggy, and consequently then inconvenient and unfit for Habi∣tation; were by this continual Deter∣ration brought to a lower pitch, ren∣dered

more plain and even, and redu∣ced nearer to the ordinary Level of the Earth; by which means they were made habitable by such time as there was occasion for them, fit for Tillage, for the Production of Vegetables, of Corn, and other Necessaries, for the use of their Inhabitants.

That although the Principal Intention in the Precipitation of the Vegetative Terrestrial Matter * 1.16, at the Deluge, and the burying it in the Strata underneath amongst the Sand, and other mineral Matter, was to re∣trench and abridge the Luxury and Superabundance of the Productions of the Earth, which had been so ingratefully and scandalously abused by its former Inhabitants, and to cause it to deal them forth for the future more frugally and sparingly; yet there was a still further Design in that Preci∣pitation: and the Matter so buried was to be brought up upon the Stage once more; being only reserved in store for the benefit of Posterity, and to be, by this Deterration, fetch'd out to light again to supply the Wants of the latter Ages of the World. For had these Strata of Stone, and other mi∣neral

Matter, which lay then under∣neath, been altogether destitute of this Vegetative Intermixture, and had not contained some, though a smaller and more parsimonious Supply of it in them: had there not been also vast numbers of Shells, Teeth, Bones, and the like, lodged in them, which are, when rotted and dissolved, ‖ 1.17 a proper and natural Manure to the Earth, as all Parts whatsoever of Animals, as well as Vegetables, are; they consist∣ing of such Matter as the upper and Vegetative Stratum it self contains, and therefore such as is fit for the Constitu∣tion of Plants and of Animals * 1.18; I say, had it not been for this, when the up∣per and Vegetative Stratum was once wash'd off, and born down by Rains, the Hills would have become all per∣fectly barren, the Strata below yielding only meer steril and mineral Matter, such as was wholly inept and impro∣per for the Formation of Vegetables. Nay, the Inconvenience would not have stop'd there, but have spread it self much further. For, the Vegeta∣tive Stratum being carried off, and the Devolution still continuing, the Matter of the lower or mineral Strata

being likewise by degrees borne down successively to the Roots and Bottoms of the Hills, and upon the neighbour∣ing parts of the Valleys and Plains, it would, as far as it reach'd, have co∣ver'd and buried the upper and vegeta∣tive Stratum that was expanded over those Valleys and Plains, and render'd as much of them as it so covered also frustrate, steril, and unfruitful. So that by this means, in the latter Ages of the World, when the Earth should be fully peopled, and all Quarters and Corners of it stock'd with Inhabitants, and when consequently there would be the greatest need and occasion for its Productions every where, for sup∣ply of the Necessities of these its nu∣merous Inhabitants, there would have been then much less than ever, a great part of the Earth being rendered en∣tirely barren; so that they might have e'en starved, had it not been for this Providential Reserve: this Hoord, if I may so say, that was stowed in the Strata underneath, and now season∣ably disclosed and brought forth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Part 4. Cons. 4.
• † 1.2

  Ibid. Cons. 9.
• * 1.3

  Vid. Part 3. Sect. 1. Cons. 8.
• † 1.4

  Confer. Pag. 47. & seq. u••i & Pag. 128. & seq.
• † 1.5

  Confer. Pag. 47. & seq. u••i & Pag. 128. & seq.
• * 1.6

  Part 2. Cons. 3.
• ‖ 1.7

  Vid. Pag. 65. & 66. supra.
• ‖ 1.8

  Part 2. Cons. 2. & 3.
• † 1.9

  Part 2. Cons. 4.
• * 1.10

  Those which con∣sist of Spar, Flint, &c. I have consi∣dered above, Part 4. Cons. 2.
• ‖ 1.11

  Vulgarly Pectinitae.
• † 1.12

  Which are much more vio∣lent in some Coun∣tries than in others. Vid. Part 3. Cons. 8.
• * 1.13

  Part 4. Cons. 14. pag. 215.
• † 1.14

  Part 1. Pag. 49.
• ‖ 1.15

  Part 3. Sect. 1. Cons. 13.
• * 1.16

  Part 2. pag. 89, 90.
• ‖ 1.17

  Vid. Consect. 5. supra.
• * 1.18

  Confer. Cons. 1. supra.