When God created the substances of the earth, they were in an _elementary_ and _uncombined_ state, promiscuously mixed through each other from the surface to the centre. By his _Spirit brooding over the great deep_, caloric and light, which were in a _latent_ state, were called into action, which gave impulse and motion to every particle of matter, thus quickening the whole mass by producing _intense heat_. This would cause the _aqueous_ and _gaseous_ particles to rise through the mass, and collect at the surface. This would bring them in contact with the metals in a pure state, which would of course _oxidize_, and become _earths_. This action would go on until it arrested its own progress, by forming and consolidating the oxidated crust of the earth inclosing all the interior substances in a state of igneous fusion, which have been gradually cooling ever since. The _primitive_ rocks, which have a crystalline structure, are supposed to have been deposited during this process, as it is evident they could not have crystallized under any other circumstances, and they are well known to be composed of the earths which are only metals in a state of oxidation. It is now only necessary to introduce the water to this mass of melted matter, or any part of it, as in the first theory to the metals in their pure state, _and we have the same results in all respects_. This theory has two advantages over the first. It agrees best with the crystalline structure which primitive rocks are known to possess, and which must result from chemical action on the materials in a state of solution. It also seems to accord best with the Mosaic account of the action of heat and light, in assimilating, arranging and settling the materials of the earth. Moreover, it is confirmed by experiments made on the _temperature_ of the earth at different depths. The following tables are extracted from Mr. Ure’s New System of Geology, pp. 426-7. They accord, in their tendency, with the opinions of other eminent philosophers than those whose names appear in the tables. _Observations on the temperature of the earth._ In the mines of Giro-Magny, three leagues from Befort, M. Gensanne found: At 333 feet, 54½ Fahr. 680 “ 62 1016 “ 66½ 1429 “ 73 In the mines of Freyberg, M. D’Aubuisson found External air 41 In the galleries 50 528 feet, water pool 52 858 water of a spring 57 At Junghohebirke, external thermometer 32 1040 feet, water was 63 Observations by Captain Lean in the mines of Cornwall.