On the Subsidence of Strata.

M . cuvier is of opinion, that all the older strata of which the crust of the earth is composed, were originally in an horizontal situation, and have been raised into their present highly-inclined position, by subsidences that have taken place over the whole surface of the earth.

It cannot be doubted, that subsidences, to a considerable extent, have taken place; yet we are not of opinion, that these have been so general as maintained by the illustrious author of this Essay We are rather inclined to believe, that the present inclined position of strata is in general their original one;–an opinion which is countenanced by the known mode of connection of strata, the phenomena of veins, particularly cotemporaneous veins, the crystalline nature of every species of older rock, and the great regularity in the direction of strata throughout the globe.

The transition and floetz-rocks also are much more of a chemical or crystalline nature than has been generally imagined. Even sandstone, one of the most abundant of the floetz-rocks, occasionally occurs in masses, many yards in extent, which individually have a tabular or stratified structure; but when viewed on the great scale, appear to be great massive distinct concretions.