the naturalist. The extensive strata of gypsum and salt, already discovered, are indications of great wealth beneath our soil, and will ultimately excite avarice to explore, what unaided science seems willing to encounter.

McClure, an eminent geologist, in traversing the State of New-York, discovered strong indications of coal in this region; and, within a few mouths, bituminous shale, with coal* adhering, has been found in the vicinity of Troy. This fact, combined with the peculiar qualities of our diversified mineral waters, the vast quantities of carbonic acid gas, which those of Ballston and Saratoga contain, the heat of those at Lebanon, the singular qualities of the Harrowgate, and the numerous sulphureous and other springs in our neighbourhood, indicate the operation of a powerful laboratory within. which may hereafter obtain vent, by some violent concussion, or volcanic eruption of the earth. Perhaps, in this very place, some future Pliny will explore the wonders of a recently formed crater, ascending like Vesuvius, from a peninsula of the ocean. This hypothesis is fortified by a critical examination of the changes which this globe has repeatedly experienced. Facts, every where,prove that the earth has been successively deluged by the sea; and the frequent occurrence of basaltic rocks, which are generally deemed of volcanic origin, are indications of the ancient existence of volcanoes, long since extinguished. The researches of Cuvier have not only proved the reality of these convulsions, but that they have sometimes been so sudden and extensive, as to ingulph, and forever destroy, whole species of animals.

* I have been informed, since writing the above, that Professor Silliman considers the

col near Troy, to be of that variety called

Gance Coal.

It may be interesting to remark the coincidence of the discoveries of this indefatigable geologist, and the improved theory of this science, with the Mosaic history of the creation and deluge.

The important discoveries of Cuvier, afford strong facts to prove that the earth had experienced some extensive revolutions long before it was inhabited by man, and that the last great convulsion perfectly corresponded in time with the account of the deluge. This evidence was chiefly deduced from the vertical position of certain strata, the fossil remains of animals, and the entire bodies of the rhinoceros and elephant being found so far beneath the surface, as to require the lapse of four thousand years to cover them to that depth. While Cuvier adduces the latter fact as evidence of the suddenness of the convulsion, Kirwan cites it to prove that the deluge was caused by the vast waters of the Southern Ocean bursting upon the north, nd thus overwhelming the world. His reasons are, that the rhinoceros, an inhabitant of warm climates, was found in the frozen regions of Siberia, two hundred miles from the sea, surrounded by marine exuviæ of tropical origin; and thence concludes that he was driven by the immense force of the flood from his native clime, and deposited near those mountains of the north, which opposed a barrier to this impetuous torrent. In confirmation of this hypothesis, he minutely traces the impressions which this course of the waters would necessarily produce upon the surface of the earth. He thus accounts for the conical shape of the two continents, and of all islands, with their apex to the south, which were most exposed to the ravages of this irruption, exhibiting excavations on one side, and corresponding projections on the other, according to the flux and reflux of

this vast current. To the same cause he imputes the barren deserts of Africa, and the fertility of that mountainous section of country which arrested its progress towards the north.

But although the speculations of philosophy vary in explaining the cause, they all concur in the evidence of a general deluge at the time designated in the sacred history. We ought, therefore, to adopt the explanation of this history, and ascribe it entirely to a miraculous effusion of water from the clouds and the great abyss.

From the peculiar appearance and arrangement of the different strata of rocks, geologists have inferred that the earth was originally in a state of chaotic solution, or, as Moses expresses it," without form, and void." Every rock and mineral being then comminuted and indiscriminately mixed with water, constituted one great mass of morter. Whether these particles were held in solution by water or fire, according to the Neptunic or Volcanic theories, is immaterial to the result. As the heterogeneous ingredients of this fluid approximated to solidity, they must necessarily settle towards the centre, according to their respective specific gravities; thus forming the regular stratification of rocks every where to be found. During this precipitation, many of the heavier particles would become entangled, and remain suspended in strata evidently above their natural destination. This accounts for the discovery of some of the metallic ores above the granite, while the regular strata of the most precious metals are probably below it.

Whether this grand precipitation was miraculously completed in the definite period of a single day, or whether it was left to the slow operation of a natural process, and by the first day of creation, as on other

occasions, was therefore intended a figurative representation of one thousand years, are questions which we are unable to solve. But without any diminution of reverence for The ALMIGHTY, or detraction from the magnitude of the miracle, we may consider the following reasons sufficient to render the latter explanation more than probable. That before the creation of man, time had no existence, and The CREATOR has always subjected the operations of nature to certain uniform laws, which invariably control similar causes, to produce similar effects, through all his works.

When this process was completed, every rock and mineral assumed its appropriate stratum : Then was the separation of the waters from the earth perfected; or, in the words of the sacred historian," then did the dry land appear."

In all the researches of geologists, no fossil organic remains have ever been found in the primitive class of rocks, which occupy the lowest space to which human investigation has ever penetrated: But as we ascend to the transition class, the remains of aquatic animals begin to appear, variously intermingled with cryptogamous plants: Ascending still higher into the secondary class, we find the remains of the highest order of vegetable life, the more perfect inhabitants of the sea, and the various species of land animals, successively arranged, exactly in the order which Moses gives of their respective creation. The perfect coincidence of these facts with the history of the creation, proves that Moses was well versed in our modern system of geology, or that he received that knowledge from divine revelation. Did our limits permit, satisfactory evidence might be easily adduced to disprove the former, and to establish the latter beyond the power of controversy. This system,

therefore, stamps the Bible with the indelible seal of truth. It furnishes arguments which no atheist can refute-which no chance can create. It leads us directly to Nature's GOD. An infidel naturalist is, therefore, a phenomenon in creation-a paragon of inflexible obduracy, or insensible stupidity.

Although the fossil remains of other animals have been repeatedly found, it is an extraordinary fact, that not one human being has ever yet been discovered. This fact has never been satisfactorily explained. The hypothesis, that the whole of the inhabited antediluvian world now constitutes the bed of ocean, which thus occludes from our view all remains of human beings, is liable to insuperable objections. As we are unable to compute the period of time necessary to complete the process of petrifaction, we may, with more truth, conclude, that the fossil remains of shell-fish and other aquatic animals, already discovered, have been undergoing that change several thousand years before the creation of man; and as he was the subject of the sixth day's creation, probably four thousand years subsequent to the shell-fish, sufficient time has not elapsed for the complete petrifaction of his remains.

The imperfect skeleton found at Guadaloupe, is of too ambiguous a nature to affect this explanation. If that was a real human petrifaction, the process may have been accelerated by the peculiar qualities of the surrounding rock, and, therefore, a precursor to others, which time will develope. This phenomenon must, however, remain unsolved till the petrifaction of the last day's work of the creation has been completed. Then will the fossil remains of man be abundantly evident, and, perhaps, enable posterity to correct our present system of geology. Then will the six days' work of The CREATOR

be perfectly converted into their original component materials, and be typically correspondent to the six thousand years of man's labour on earth; and then will probably commence the grand sabbatical year of rest.

But it is time to invite your attention to the improvement which medical science may derive from geological researches.

Although it is a common opinion that epidemic diseases originate from some peculiar change in the atmosphere, few have ever suspected, and none actually investigated, the cause of those changes, beneath the surface of the earth. Physicians have generally been satisfied with ascribing epidemic diseases to the vicissitudes of weather, to contagion, or to infectious miasmata, arising from the decomposition of animal or vegetable substances. But facts are at variance with the former, and the latter are too limited in their operation to extend their influence over a whole continent. Mr. Webster has, with great industry and perseverance, drawn from history such a compilation of facts, as to induce a belief that the real source of many epidemic diseases must be traced to the interior of the earth. That subterraneous fires are continually decomposing the materials of that region, and occasionally ejecting their gaseous results into the atmosphere, are facts corroborated by history, and by every volcanic eruption upon the surface. To this source we must impute the emission of a dense vapour which sometimes overspreads the horizon with darkness, producing those dark days which philosophers have been unable to explain. The conjoined influence of the celestial bodies, in aiding this effect, and also in the production of earthquakes and volcanoes, must be admitted by all who adopt the Newtonian theory of tides.

Whether this influence is exerted through the medium of gravitation or electricity, is still enveloped in the arcana of nature. But it is an historical fact, that such phenomena are succeeded by epidemic pestilential diseases, and probably produced by the deleterious gas which accompanies such eruptions. This may be the origin of those epidemics which, from the plague of Athens, to the yellow fever of New-York, have been the subject of controversy in all ages, and which some, unable to explain, have, therefore, ascribed to a divine influence. This may be the "To Theon," of Hippo

crates.

Perhaps a course of geological experiments, instituted with a view to determine this inquiry, might reflect much light upon the science of medicine, and materially improve the treatment of epidemic dis

eases.

Whether the unequal distribution of the electric fluid may not also conduce to the production of this morbid influence, is a subject that merits investigation. By introducing electricity, as a powerful agent upon the human system, I am aware of the imputation of chimerical, which this suggestion may incur, from those who have superficially examined this subject; but visionary as it may appear, facts abundantly prove, that when the atmosphere is surcharged with this fluid, the system is stimulated into diseases of high excitement, and that a peculiar las situde and depression immediately

succeed its unusual diminution.

An agent, so powerful in the production of disease, experience has proved to be an efficacious remedy. We trust that it will hereafter occupy the attention of medical philosophers, its virtues be more critically analyzed and the various mode of its application, in the cure of diseases, be more widely and generally

extended A scientific analysis may develope latent qualities, which will supersede the use of many articles of the Materia Medica, and, perhaps, verify the predictions of its early advocates.

It is with much satisfaction that we have witnessed the modern improvement of medical science, and particularly of practical surgery. The late desolating wars of Europe have familiarized surgeons with ca pital operations, and introduced a boldness of practice, which has been equalled only by its success. The return of peace has enabled them to lay before the public the result of their experience; in which the French have pre-eminently exce'led. Their works are too well known to require a recapitulation; but I cannot refrain from alluding to the important operation of a resection of the sixth and seventh ribs, and the excision of a diseased portion of the pleura, performed by the Chevalier Richerand. By this bold operation, the heart, while pulsating in all its majesty, was exposed to the view, and subjected to the critical examination of the operator.

Three important desiderata were thus satisfactorily ascertained.-The practicability of opening the thorax, and even of perforating the pericardium.

The perfect transparency of that membrane, and the insensibility of the heart.

This discovery may conduce to important improvements in physiology, and, perhaps, to a new explanation of the cause of motion in that organ.

Your Committee have adopted measures necessary to ensure the inception, and, as they trust, the successful completion, of the National Pharmacopoeia. The requisite number of societies have cordially approbated the design, and the convention for this district will, conse