to ascertain
the truth of the facts.

The space of ground, within which the stones fell, was from three to
four miles.

The falling of them, was _the very day after_ the great eruption of
Vesuvius.

And the distance of the place, from Vesuvius, could not be less than two
hundred miles, and seems to have been more.

Vesuvius is situated _to the south_ of the spot: and the cloud came
_from the north_; about thirteen, or at most eighteen hours, after the
eruption.

Now, putting all these circumstances together, I cannot but venture to
form a conclusion, somewhat different from Professor Soldani's; though
perfectly agreeing with his general principles.

From a course of observations, and inquiries, which I have been led to
pursue, for a great many years: tending to elucidate the history of
extraneous fossils, and of the deluge; I have long been convinced, that
stones in general, and strata of rocks, of all kinds, have been formed
by _two_ very different operations of those elements, which the wisdom,
and omnipotent hand of God, has ordained, and created.

The one, by means of fire:--and the other, by means of water.

And, of each sort, there are two subdivisions.

Of the stones, and rocks, formed by fire;--there are some, (besides
lavas,) whose component parts, having been previously fused, and in a
melted state, did merely cool, and harden _gradually_.

And there are others; whose component parts, having been fused, and in a
melted state, and having so become completely liquid; did instantly, by
the operation of the powers of _attraction_, become crystallized.

And, in like manner; of stones, and of strata of rocks, formed by means
of water;--there are some, which having had their component parts
brought together, in a fluid state; did then merely become gradually
settled; and by the power of attraction, and the mixture of crystalline
particles, were hardened by degrees.

And there are others: which, having had their component parts, in like
manner, brought together by water, did yet, on account of the peculiar
nature, and more powerful _attraction_ of those parts, _instantly_
crystallize.

And both of stones, and of strata of rocks, formed by fire; and of
stones, and of strata of rocks formed by means of water; there are some
such, as have been slowly consolidated by the first kind of operation;
namely by the gradual cooling or settling of the substances; which yet
do contain imbedded in them, crystals f