«Cette chaîne extérieure des _Alpes_ évidemment d'origine _marine_, a cependant des caractères qui la distinguent de la plupart des autres montagnes de la même classe; et ces caractères semblent annoncer plus d'antiquité. Je crois d'abord pouvoir les regarder comme les montagnes _secondaires_ les plus hautes de notre continent. (Je ne parle ici que des montagnes marines.) Ensuite leur destruction est beaucoup plus grande que celle d'aucune autre montagne de ce genre qui me soit connue: car elles sont presque aussi couronnées de pics que les _Alpes primordiales_; et ces _pics_, étant par _couches_, montrent des restes d'anciens sommets qui devoient avoir une grande étendue. Ce qui, joint à quelques dérangemens dans leurs couches, paroît indiquer que ces montagnes ont été exposées plus longtemps que la plupart des autres montagnes _secondaires_, aux revolutions qu'essuyoit le fond de la _mer_; et qu'elles en sont sorties déjà fort altérées.» There is at present no question concerning the particular shape in which the mountains of the earth had come out of the waters of the sea. We are considering the wasting of those mountains, in being exposed to the atmosphere and waters of the earth; and the operation that the sea may have had upon their surface, is a subject for judging of which we have not the smallest data, unless by taking the thing for granted, or supposing that the present state of things is that former shape after which we inquire. Now, this is a species of reasoning that M. de Luc would certainly explode; for he admits, as we shall afterwards find, great changes among the mountains of the Alps, from the influences of the atmosphere, perhaps more rapid changes than we are disposed to allow. Therefore, to call in the aid of the ocean, for the degradation of these secondary calcareous mountains, holds of no reason that I can see, unless it be that of diminishing the time which otherwise would have been required in bringing about those changes by the atmosphere alone. To conclude: Whether we examine the mountain or the plain; whether we consider the degradation of the rocks, or the softer strata of the earth; whether we contemplate nature, and the operations of time, upon the shores of the sea, or in the middle of the continent, in fertile countries, or in barren deserts, we shall find the evidence of a general dissolution on the surface of the earth, and of decay among the hard and solid bodies of the globe; and we shall be convinced, by a careful examination, that there is a gradual destruction of every thing which comes to the view of man, and of every thing that might serve as a resting place for animals above the surface of the sea. CHAP. V. _Facts in confirmation of the Theory respecting the Operations of the Earth employed in forming Soil for Plants._