of carbonic acid in the atmosphere, is less
energetic than in earlier times, when the abundance of this gas, and a
higher temperature, favored the chemical decomposition of the rocks.
But now, as then, every clod of clay formed from the decay of a
crystalline rock corresponded to an equivalent of carbonic acid
abstracted from the atmosphere, and equivalents of carbonate of lime
and common salt formed from the chloride of calcium of the
sea-water."[159]

H.--TANNIN AND BHEMAH.

The following synopsis of the instances of the occurrence of the words
_tannin_ and _tan_ will serve to show the propriety of the meaning,
"great reptiles," assigned in the text to the former, as well as to
illustrate the utility in such cases of "comparing Scripture with
Scripture:"

1. TANNIN.

Exod. vii., 9.--Take thy rod and Probably a serpent, though perhaps
cast it before Pharaoh, and it a crocodile.
shall become a _serpent_. (Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")

Deut. xxxii., 33.--Their vine is Probably a species of serpent.
the poison of _dragons_. (Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")

Job vii., 12.--Am I a sea, or a Michaelis and others think,
_whale_, that thou settest a probably correctly, that the Nile
watch over me. and the crocodile, both objects of
vigilance to the Egyptians, are
intended.
(Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")

Psa. lxxiv., 14.--Thou didst Evidently refers to the destruction
divide the sea by thy strength. of the Egyptians in the Red
Thou breakest the heads of the Sea, under emblem of the crocodile.
_dragons_ in the waters. (Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")

Psa. xci., 13.--The young lion The association shows that a
and the _dragon_ thou shalt powerful carnivorous animal is
trample under foot. meant.
(Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")

Psa. cxlviii., 7.--Praise the Evidently an aquatic creature.
Lord, ye _dragons_ and all deeps. (Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")

Isa. xxvii., 1.--He shall slay A large predaceous aquatic animal
the _dragon_ in the midst of the (the crocodile), used here as
sea [river]. an emblem of Egypt.
(Septuagint, "[Greek: drakon].")