efute my theory with regard to the igneous origin of
stony substances, by giving an example of granite formed upon the
surface of the earth by means of water, or in what is called the
moist way; and he closes his Dissertation with this example as an
_experimentum crucis_. It is therefore necessary that I take this
demonstration of our author into particular consideration; for, surely,
independent of our controversy, which is perhaps of little moment, here
is the most interesting experiment, as it is announced, that mineralogy
could be enriched with.

"To close this controversy," says our author, "I shall only add,
that granite, recently formed in the moist way, has been frequently
found."--Of that remarkable event, however, he has selected only one
example. This is to be found upon the Oder; and the authority upon which
our author has given it, is that of Lasius Hartz.

The formation of a granite stone, from granite sand, by means of water,
is inconsistent with our chemical knowledge of those mineral substances
which constitute that stone; it is repugnant to the phenomena which
appear from the inspection of the natural bodies of this kind; and it
is directly contrary to the universal experience in granite countries,
where, instead of any thing concreting, every thing is going into
decay, from the loose stones and sand of granite, to the solid rock and
mountains which are always in a state of degradation. Therefore, to have
any credit given to such a story, would require the most scientific
evidence in its favour. Now, in order that others may judge whether this
has been the case in this example, I will transcribe what our author has
said upon the subject; and then I will give the view in which it appears
to me.

He says, "a mole having been constructed in the Oder in the year 1723,
350 feet long, 54 feet in height, 144 feet broad at bottom, and 54 at
the top, its sides only were granite, without any other cement than
moss; the middle space was entirely filled with granite sand. In a short
time this concreted into a substance so compact as to be impenetrable by
water."--Here is an example, according to our author, of _granite formed
in the moist way_. But now, I must ask to see the evidence of that fact;
for, from what our author has told us, I do not even see reason to
conclude that there was the least concretion, or any stone formed at
all. A body of sand will be _so compacted as to be impenetrable by
water_, with t