beginning of this article that an objection had been raised against the truth of the Mosaic history, on account of there not being supposed a sufficient quantity of water now on the earth, to cover the mountains as there represented. At the epoch of the creation, the whole earth was surrounded with water, otherwise there is no meaning in the command, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear." If it be objected that this was before the elevation of the hills and mountains, and that the earth at that time was a smooth ball, and therefore might be entirely covered by a thin stratum of water, it requiring much less to cover a smooth, than an uneven surface, still, until it can be shown to what depth the earth was then covered, it cannot be proved that there was not a sufficient quantity to cover the mountains as they now exist. As there have been no new creations, the quantity of water now existing, is undoubtedly the same that it was when it surrounded the whole earth. It is now chiefly collected into one continuous ocean, the depth of which is in general entirely unknown. Calculations, it is true, have been made, on the quantity of water the oceans, seas and lakes contain, with a view of estimating the aggregate amount on the earth. But it is obvious, that not even an approximation to the truth can be offered on this subject, until more is known concerning the depths of the different oceans, than at present. Besides, it is not necessary to suppose that all the mountains were covered on the same day, or even week, for the deluge might have swept the earth from one country to another, in a manner similar to the great tides of the present day. The only difficulty in the way of such a hypothesis, is the length of time which the mountains continued covered where the ark rested. But as there is every reason to believe that the eastern portion of the globe was the only one then inhabited, and as the deluge was a punitive measure, brought on by the wickedness and violence of man, we may reasonably suppose that it began first, and continued longest in the countries where he dwelt. Perhaps the "windows of heaven" were opened only over that devoted portion of the earth, and from thence the flood swept in all directions to other parts. It is certain that all parts of the earth which have been examined, contain monuments of a sweeping deluge; and that the mountains in various countries were covered

by it, is proved not only by the removal of great masses rock from their places, but also by the organic remains of quadrupeds and fish, found buried at great heights above the sea, and under such circumstances as to show that they were deposited there by water.

It is not however supposed that in every instance where such remains are found far above the sea, they were deposited by the deluge, as it will be seen in another place, that limestone and other strata containing shells have been elevated by subterranean forces.

The universality of the deluge is sufficiently proved, therefore, by the appearance of the earth, and that it covered the mountains, at least many of them, there is good reason to believe, independently of the assertions of Scripture, though the physical evidence on this point is perhaps not conclusive.

Were all the animals existing in the primitive world preserved in the ark? It is certain that there once existed quadrupeds on the earth, which are unknown at the present time, and which it is nearly as certain do not any where exist. The remains of these extinct species as we have already shown, are found in almost every part of the world. Did these races perish at the time of the deluge, or did they gradually become extinct, before or since, that catastrophe?

Many fossil bones are in such a state of preservation, as to prove that their races were in existence at no very remote period. This is especially the case in cold climates, as in Siberia, where the tusks of elephants are undecayed. Still, time produces the decomposition and total destruction of all organized substances, when exposed to the atmosphere, or buried in the ground, and among the Siberian bones, there are some which shew its effects much more than others. These, therefore, we may suppose, other circumstances being equal, are the most ancient. But in general, the Siberian bones of quadrupeds, as well as those found in other countries, and attributed to the flood, appear to be of about the same antiquity, and besides, these remains, or those of similar species, wherever found, appear to have been buried under similar circumstances. The kind of deposite in which they are found is every where similar, and apparently of the same age, and hence geologists have generally come to similar conclu

sions with respect to their antiquity, and the manner in which the animals were destroyed. A sudden, violent, and general catastrophe, appears to have destroyed these ancient races, and at the same time, to have buried them in its effects. The deposites in which the bones are interred, are what geologists term diluvial, that is, belonging to the deluge. This is the latest formation, with the exception of the alluvial, which is constantly deposited at the present time.

Taking these circumstances in connection, it is thought that there are sufficient reasons to conclude, that the lost species of quadrupeds became totally extinct at the epoch of the general deluge, the history of which is given by Moses, and that they perished by the same catastrophe which destroyed every individual of the human race, except Noah and his family.

A comparison of the bones of the fossil species, with those of present ones, show that they generally were of a different species. Hence we must come to the conclusion, that not all, or every species of quadrupeds existing before the deluge, were preserved in the ark, but that many races perished by its waters.

The divine command to Noah, that he should take into the ark" of every living thing, of all flesh, two of every sort," must therefore be understood as a universal term, with a limited signification, as is often the case in scripture language, and particularly with respect to the word which we translate all. Thus Dr. Hammond, in his note on Cor. i. 13, says that this word is not always to be taken in its utmost extent; "but according to the use in like phrases, in all languages, wherein the universal sign, affixed, either to persons, or times, or places, or things, signifies only a greater number, but not all, without exception."

In like manner, Schleusner observes that the word all, every, in scripture, is often employed indefinitely, to signify various of different kinds; and often, also, to denote many, a great number.

In the narrative of the deluge, this word is repeatedly employed in this indefinite manner. Thus, Gen. vi. 17, "And behold I, even I, do bring a flood of waters npon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven." And in another verse," for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Now it does not

appear that it was the intention of the Almighty, literally to destroy all flesh, since Noah and his family, together with the animals which he took into the ark, were saved; nor does it appear that every individnal had corrupted his way, for "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."

Precisely similar language is used with respect to the animals to be taken into the ark. Thus, verse 19, "And every living thing, of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark." Now no one will contend that the fish of the sea were intended to be included in this command, and yet the terms employed "every living thing," would include these, equally with terrestrial animals.

The terms of the Mosaic history, therefore, give us liberty to conclude, that all the antediluvian species, without exception, were not admitted into the ark; and consequently we may consider the extinct species, whose bones are found in the earth, as exceptions to the general terms of the divine command, without the least violation of the intended meaning of the sacred scriptures.

The more ancient bones, or those of the same species which are more decayed than others, we may suppose belonged to animals which died natural deaths, before the time of the catastrophe which destroyed the remainder of the race; while those in a similar state of preservation, and found under similar circumstances, may be considered as having belonged to animals which perished by the same catastrophe.

VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES.

Having, in the preceding pages, given such a history of the changes produced by water, as our limits would allow, we now come to those which have been produced by fire, as the great cause of volcanic phenomena, the most tremendous and startling exhibitions, of which the experience of man can conceive.

The effects of water, in changing the form of the earth, we have seen, are, with a few exceptions, gradual, and sometimes so slow, as even to require centuries to produce any considerable results. The changes produced by earthquakes, on the contrary, are often as sudden as they are calamitous and fearful, sometimes in a single

hour, or even in a moment, not only reducing to fragments the most solid and costly monuments of man, but also mutilating the face of the earth itself-tearing down mountains-elevating islands in the depths of the ocean, or burying whole territories under inundations of liquid fire.

Geography of Volcanoes. It is a striking circumstance, in the history of volcanoes and earthquakes, that these awful exhibitions of nature have hitherto been almost entirely confined to certain regions of country. At present the Andes of South America are among the best defined of these regions. Beginning with Chili, in the 46° of south latitude, and proceeding north to the 27° of the same latitude, we shall find a line of volcanoes so uninterrupted, that hardly a degree is passed without the occurrence of one of these agents in an active state. About twenty are enumerated within that space, and there is no doubt but many more exist, some of which are dormant, and perhaps some have become extinct. How long an interval

of rest entitles a volcano to be considered as extinct is not determined. Those which have always been inactive since the era of history, may perhaps be so considered. The volcano of Ischia, in Italy, was silent for a term of 1700 years, after which it again commenced a series of eruptions.

The volcanoes of Chili have their chimneys pierced through mountains of granite, thus exhibiting the effects of a degree of force, of which man, without the existence of such phenomena, could have no where gained the least conception. Villarcia is one of the principal volcanoes of this district. It is so elevated as to be visible at the distance of 150 miles, and burns without intermission. Every year the inhabitants of this province experience shocks of earthquakes. In 1822, the whole coast of Chili, to the extent of 100 miles, was elevated several feet by a subterranean convulsion, of which we shall give an account hereafter.

Proceeding to the north, where the Andes attain their greatest elevation, we find in the province of Quito, Cotopaxi, Antisana, and Pichinca, all of them in an active state, and frequently emitting flames. Tunguragua, is also in the same district. This mountain, in 1797, threw out a deluge of mud, which filled valleys a thousand feet