sected by valleys, more or less deep in primitive countries the deepest bearing evident marks of abrasion. But the general impression is, that these vallies are scooped out by the That agency of existing streams. mountain torrents and lakes bursting their barriers, have done something to produce the system of vallies with which the earth's surface is diversified, I cannot be doubted. But these causes are wholly inadequate to produce all the effects which we witness. Some vallies are always dry and could not have been formed by a river that never had an existence. In many instances too, the source of the river is much below the head of the valley. It is found likewise upon examination on the banks of large rivers, that the alluvial land is of greater depth than the level of their bed; which shows that such rivers, instead of forming their beds, have contributed to fill them up. In many instances we have longitudinai valleys intersected by transverse ones, and certainly both cannot be imputed to the action of rivers. Besides rivers sometimes change their beds, which they could not do, if they formed those beds, for themselves, and to suppose rivers to have formed their own banks, is to suppose them once without banks which is absurd.*

If rivers could not have produced the vallies that exist on the earth's surface, much less could they have resulted from any other causes now in action. In the words of Mr. Greenough, therefore, we conclude, that the universal occurrence of mountains and valleys,and the symmetry which pervades their several branches and inosculations, are further proofs, not only that a deluge has swept over every part of the globe, but probably the same deluge."

When we call to mind," says Mr. Sumner, the destruction which is

*See Greenough's First Principles of Geology for a discussion of this subject: also the introduction to Philllips & Conybeare's Geology of England and Wales.

spread by a sudden alteration in the level of a very inconsiderable body of water, even to the extent of fifty or one hundred feet, we cannot easily assign limits to the effect of a body of waters like the ocean pouring in over the land when its level was destroyed; we are at a loss to conceive what the power of such a machine might be when once in operation."

"An agent thus gigantic, (says Mr. Buckland,) appears to have operated universally on the surface of our planet, at the period of the deluge; the spaces then laid bare by the sweeping away of the solid materials that had before filled them, are called valleys of denudation; and the effects we see produced by water in the minor cases I have just mentioned, by presenting us an example within tangible limits, prepare us to comprehend the mighty and stupendous magnitude of those forces, by which whole strata were swept away, and valleys laid open, and gorges excavated in the more solid portions of the substance of the earth, bearing the same proportion to the overwhelming ocean by which they were produced, that modern ravines on the sides of

mountains bear to the torrents which

since the retreat of the deluge have created and continue to enlarge them."-p. 237.

It is not to be supposed, however, that all valleys owe their origin to the deluge. Its effects are most obvious on the softer strata, such as the chalk districts: "but in other cases, more especially in mountain districts, (where the greatest disturbances appear generally to have taken place,) the original form in which the strata were deposited, the subsequent convulsions to which they have been exposed, and the fractures, elevations, and subsidences which have affected them, have contributed to produce valleys of various kinds on the surface of the earth, before it was submitted to that last catastrophe of an universal deluge which has fiThere nally modified them all."

are fortunately one or two facts, that show, that these last formed valleys were excavated subsequently to the deposition of diluvium, and the introduction of the mud into the caves, and the extinction of the animals;

or rather, that all these phenomena resulted from the same debacle of waters. We state these facts in the language of Mr. Buckland.

"That these excavations took place at

a period subsequent to that at which the earth was inhabited by the hyænas, bears, elephants, rhinoceroses, &c. whose remains we find in caves and diluvial loam and gravel, is evident both from the fact that the out scourings of these valleys form the gravel in which such bones are for the most part imbedded; and from the number of caves (once inhabited as dens,) that have been intersected and laid open in the cliffs that flank their sides and narrow gorges. The present entrance of these caves is often a hole in an absolutely vertical precipice, which it is impossible to approach except by ropes or ladders, and which, therefore, could not have been accessible to the animals whose bones we find within, if the caves had originally terminated, as they do at present in the face of a precipice; it follows therefore, that the creation of such precipices, and consequently of the val leys in question, was posterior to the time in which the beasts occupied these dens."

p. 238.

If such was the powerful effect of the deluge in abrading the strata, and excavating valleys, and filling up old ones, it will follow that the present face of our planet, although the same continents remain, is considerably different from what it was before that event. Probably few rivers now run in precisely the same channels as in antediluvian days; and doubtless many, especially in level regions, are so entirely altered in their beds and course, that even Noah could not recognize them. We are acquainted with one or two instances of this kind, near the village of Greenfield in Massachusetts, where such a change occurs in the bed of a river, that we can impute it to nothing but diluvial action. But we cannot explain this case without an accurate map.

In these acknowledged changes, we think we see very clearly the reason, why so much difficulty has been found in identifying the site of the garden of Eden, with the river which went out from thence, and was parted and became into four heads.

It is not because the continent, where Eden stood, is sunk, but because the deluge has so altered the face of the country and the beds of phrates, that their course and relathe Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel and Eutive position no longer agree with Moses' description.

We have now finished the argument for the deluge so far as geology is concerned, and the work of Mr. Buckland extends. If we shall seem to any to have taken too favourable revelation, we trust that even such a view of the subject as it respects will not be displeased to see an exhibition of the argument in its existing state, whatever may be the measure of their faith in it, as to its theological bearing. We had intended to add, a summary of the traditionary evidence which exisits in relation to the delage; that thus our readers might have the whole mass of proof which natural and civil history furnishes in confirmation of the sacred history.

We have room, to present only a short summary of those particulars, in which profane history and tradi tion coincide with the Mosaic account of the deluge.

1. The fact of an universal deluge occurring in early times is preserved in the records of almost every nation and tribe, civilized and sav age, under heaven. Bryant and Faber have proved that the memory of that event is incorpora. ted with almost every part of heathen mythology, and that traces of the deification of Noah are distinctly discernible in the history and character of the Grecian Deucalion, Atlas and Zeus; of the Egyptian Isis, Osiris, Sesostris, Oannes, Typhon, &c.; of the Phenician Dagon, Agruerus, Sydy k, &c.; of the Assyrian Astante, Dercete, &c. of the Hindoo Budda, Menu, Vishnu, &c. ; of the Chinese Fohi, and the god sitting upon the lotos in the midst of the waters; and of the Japanese Bud, and Jakusi. 2. The Greeks, Persians, and Hindoos assert that

this flood took place as a punishment for the wickedness of man. 3. One man, in consequence of his piety, was warned by the approaching catastrophe, as Berosus, the Babylonian, and Lucian, the Grecian atheist, and the Hindoo traditions assert. 4. A Persian author asserts this person to have been Noah himself. 5. Berosus declares him to have been the tenth in descent from the first created man. 6. The same author and Lucian declare that this man was directed to build an ark. 7. And to take with him into it, his sons and sons' wives. 8. And that all animals on earth came to him by pairs. 9. The Hindoos say, that seven days before the flood happened, this man was warned of it. 10. The Egyptians say that he entered the ark on Sunday, Nov. 30th. 11. The 11. The Babylonians believed that he was directed to lay in a store of provisions for himself and the animals. 12. The Persians and Greeks mention that the deluge was produced by the bursting forth of an immense quantity of water from the earth, and the descent of torrents of rain. 13. The raven sent out of the ark, at the end of forty days, is mentioned in the tradition of the aborigines of Cuba and Mexico. 14. Also the

dove which returned to the ark is referred to by Berosus, although he does not mention the species of the bird. 15. The second dove which brought back the branch of a tree is alluded to by Berosus and Plutarch. 16. Finally, the former of these writers says Xisthunes, the Chaldean Noah, at length disembarked, built an altar, and offered sacrifice. These facts, indeed, are mixed, as we might expect with much fable: for they have for more than 4000 years been borne along the current of every false religion under heaven. But coming to us, as they do, from every nation and tribe, and kindred, their striking coincidence with the Mosaic account is utterly inexplicable, unless we suppose that account to be

true.

In concluding our analysis of the interesting work of Mr. Buckland, (for we choose to call it an analysis rather than a review,) we would express a hope that some of our booksellers will republish it in this country, in such a reduced style of execution as will bring it within the reach of hundreds where it is now accessible only to a few. Although it is a splendid, and we may say, magnifi. cent quarto of 300 pages, we think it may easily be compressed without omitting a word, into a duodecimo of 200. And the plates might be reduced in a similar manner, and perhaps some of them omitted without much disadvantage.

Nor can we omit urging upon our readers, the importance of examining this vast continent, as they have oc⚫ casion in their travels, with the outlines Professor Buckland has here given, in their minds; especially we hope our numerous and extensive caverns will not be neglected. It is obvious that this examination does not require a minute acquaintance with geology, but only accuracy and faithfulness in the investigation of facts. The field which our country presents is certainly wide and invi ting, and promises the most brilliant, not to say the most uesful results.

Finally, from the specimen presented in this work, we cannot but anticipate from the future researches of naturalists, especially of geologists, very interesting discoveries in relation to the early history of our globe. A hypothetical Geology has long been the boasted vantage ground of infidelity: But the geology of facts is found more and more to speak the language of revelation. Indeed, revelation and creation are the work of the same God, and although the ignorance and the prejudice of man have succeeded, in some measure, in setting them in array against each other, yet this will serve only to render their final and fast approaching union more beautiful and firm.

the whole of these 18 years the highest degree of the mercury has been from two degrees to five less than it was in two years of the four observed by doctor Lining, and from one degree to eight less than it was in five of the ten observed by doctor Chalmers. Since 1791 it has reached 93 only on one day.-Ramsay's S. C.

A Prospectus has appeared, of a work proposed to be published in Paris, entitled 'the Universal Bulletin of the Sciences and Industry. It is to be divided into eight sections, and a number for each section is to be published monthly, and at the end of the year appropriate tables are to be furnished to each section, so that they may be bound separately. The several sections will form distinct works, and they may be subscribed for separately. The eight sections will form seventeen volumes 8vo. each year, viz, Sec. 1, devoted to the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 2 vols ; Sec. 2, the Natural Sciences and Geology, 3 Vols.; Sec. 3, the Medical Sciences, 3 Vols.; Sec. 4, Agriculture, economics, &c. 2 vols.; Sec. 5, the Technological Sciences, 2 vols.; Sec 6, Geography and Voyages, 2 vols.; Sec. 7, History, Antiquities, and Philology, 2 vols.; Sec. 8, the Military Sciences, 1 vol. Matters purely political and literary are excluded. The object of the publication is stated to be to present to the reader an analysis of all works; the substance of all academical memoirs, of all periodical collections which are published in the civilized world, and to form a methodical repertory of all facts, and a monthly picture of the successive efforts of the human mind among all nations. The work is to be published under the direction of Mr. de Ferussac. The prospectus enumerates a great many of the distinguished men of science in Europe.

who have engaged to assist in the several sections of this work. Among them are the names of Laplace, Humboldt, and Cuvier. To cach section one or more principal editor is assigned, the names of whom are given in the prospectus. The price of subscription for the whole, at Paris, is 120 francs a year. Journals and Memoirs of Societies, coming within the scope of the work, will be received, according to their respective prices, in exchange for one or more sections of the Bulletin.

Mr. Granville, the agent from Hayti, gives the following facts concerning a people in that island called the Mountaineers.

"They are a secluded people, devoted to peace, and the simplest modes of life.When the island is in peace, they come down from the heights of the mountains and cultivate their little lots on its sides, or wander in the sloping forests; and some times, though very seldom, and in small numbers, enter the large market towns of the Island. They raise cotton which they manufacture into coarse cloth for their own use, also coffee and vegetables enough for their own consumption; but very seldom carry on any trade, or offer any of their productions for sale. On any alarm of war they immediately retire to their caves and glens in the heights of the mountains, and are no more seen till the peace is restored. What their numbers are is not known. They have no letters nor education, speak a language peculiar to them, though it is evidently of French origin in part They are whites in complexion, their hair also white, but woolly as the Africans. They are but little known, as they take no part in the transactions of government; and seem only to be solicitous to live separate from the rest of mankind, unknown and unacquainted with the world."

RELIGIOUS.

H.

Charity at Home: A Sermon, preached for the benefit of the United Domestic Missionary Society, in the Church in Murray-street, New-York; by John Rice, D. D. Peofessor of Christian Theology in the Theological Seminary in Virginia.

Two Discourses on the Atonement. By Moses Stuart, Associate Professor of Sacred Literature in the Theological Seminary at Andover. Published by request of the Students. pp. 54.

Regular Hymns on a great Variety of Evangelical Subjects and Important Occasions, with Musical Directions for all

the Varieties of appropriate Expressions; By Samuel Willard.

A Catechism; by Thomas Baldwin, D. D. Being a Compendium of Christian Doctrine and Practice. Boston.

The Christian Examiner and Theological Review for May and June.

Sermons by the late Rev. David Osgood, D. D. Pastor of the Church in Medford 1 vol. 8 vo.

A Plea for Ministerial Liberty: A Discourse delivered by appointment to the Directors and Students of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church at Princeton, May 17, 1824. By John M. Duncan, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Tammany Street, Baltimore.