Matter of each, and by its different Confiflence and Colour; the Strata of thefe laxer Kinds of Matter being not ordinarily divided from each other by Interpofition of borizontal Fiffures, as thofe of Stone, and fuch other folid Matter, conftantly are.

And lastly, thofe which relate to the upper or outmoft Stratum of all: I mean that blackish Layer of Earth or Mould which is called by fome Garden-Earth, by others Under-turf-Earth, wherewith the Terreftrial Globe is almoft every where invefted, unless it be difturbed, or flung off by Rains, Digging, Plowing, or fome other external Force infomuch, that whatsoever lies deeper, or underneath, whether Stone, Marble, Chalk, Gravel, or whatever elfe, this Stratum is ftill expanded at Top of all; serving, as it were, for a common Integument to the rest and being (as fhall be fhewn in due Place *) the Seminary or Promptuary that furnisheth forth Matter for the Formation and Increment of Animal and Vegetable

Bodies;

*Part. V. Confe&t. 1.

Bodies; and into which all of them fucceffively are again finaly returned.

The Obfervations being thus difpatch'd, my next Step fhould have been to have proposed the Deductions from them: to have determin'd how these Sea-Shells were brought to Land, and how they became interr'd in the Bowels of the Earth, in the Manner described in those Obfervations. But, before I could proceed any farther towards that, I found my felf neceffarily obliged to take off a Difficulty ftarted by fome learned Men who have wrote now lately upon the Subject, and affert that thefe Shells are not real: that they were never bred at Sea: but are all of Terreftrial Original, being meer Stones, though they bear a Refemblance of Shells, and formed, in the Places where they are now found, by a kind of Lufus of Nature, in Imitation of Shells.

How nearly I am concerned to remove this Obftacle, before I pafs on any farther to the Profecution of my Defign, any one may prefently fee. For to go about to enquire at what Time, and by what

Means

Means thefe Shells were conveyed out of the Sea to dry Land, when a Doubt hath been moved whether they are Shells or not, or ever belonged to the Sea, without first clearing this Matter, and putting it quite out of Doubt, would be very abfurd. In order therefore unto this, I premife,

A Differ

A Differtation concerning Shells, and other marine Bodies, found at Land; Proving that they were originaly generated and formed at Sea: that they are the real Spoils of once living Animals: and not Stones, or natural Foffils, as fome late Learned Men have thought.

I

N my Extract of this Dif fertation I fhall fairly, and in as little Compass as may be, lay before the Reader, firft the Arguments that have been urged by thofe Writers to perfwade us that thefe Bodies are meer Mineral Subftances. And having detected the Infufficiency of them, by evincing how far they are from being conclufive, and how much they fall fhort of proving what they are alledged for, I fhall then proceed to

lay

lay down a brief Scheme of my own, and offer fome of the Reafons which have induced me to believe that these are the very Exuvia of Animals, and all owing to the Sea.

I would not be thought to infinuate that the Opinion of thofe Gentlemen carries no Shew of Truth, nor Umbrage of Reafon of its Side. 'Tis not to be fuppofed, that Perfons of their Learning and Abilities would ever have efpoufed it, were it not in fome Measure plaufible: and had not at least a fair Appearance of Probability. The very finding these Bodies included in Stone, and lodged in the Earth together with Minerals, was alone enough to move a Sufpicion that thefe were Minerals too. The finding them even to the very Bottom of Quarries and Mines in the most retired and inward Parts of the moft firm and folid Rocks in the deepest Bowels of the Earth, as well as upon the Surface of it upon the Tops of even the highest Hills and Mountains, as well as in the Valleys and Plains: and this not in this or that Province only, not only in one or two Fields,

but