Volltext Seite (XML)
Huttonian Theort 3. Veins are in general wider below than a- bove *. t 4. Vein9 % which prefides over aqueous depofitions; If, as the Nep- tunifts maintain, the materials in the veins were depofited by water, in the molt perfect tranquillity, it is wonderful that we do not find thofe materials difpofed in horizontal layers, acrofs the vein, inftead of being parallel to its fides ; and it feems very unaccountable, that the common ftrata, depofited, as we are told, while the water was iu a ftate of great agitation, have rigoroufly obeyed the laws of hydrotiatics, and acquired a parallelifm in the planes of their {{ratification, which approaches fo often to geometri cal precifion ; while the materials of the veins, in circum- fiances fo much more favourable for doifig the fame, have done nearly the reverfe, and taken a pofition, often at right angles to that which hydroftatical principles require^ This is a paradox which the Neptunian Syjlem has created, and which therefore it is not very likely to refolve.”—Play, fair's Illujlrations, p. 256. * “ It is alleged, in proof of the Neptunian hypothefis, that mineral veins are found lefs rich as they go farther down ; whereas they ought to be richer, if they were fill ed by the projeftion of melted matter from below. But the fa£t, that mines are lefs rich as they defcend farther* though it may hold in fome inftances, is not general, and may therefore be fuppofed to arife from local caufes, fuch as are, in refpeft of us, accidental, and beyond the limit* to which our theories can be expe&ed to reach. 1 ’—Play fair's Illujlrations, p. 248.