times in greater or lesser masses, as the bloud in our
Vessels. And this I take to be the true account of
Subterraneous waters as distinguish'd from Fountains
and Rivers, and from the matter and causes of
them.
Thus much we have spoke to give a general Idea
of the inward parts of the Earth, and an easie Explication of them by our Hypothesis; which, whether it
be true or no, if you compare it ingenuously with
Nature, you will confess at least, that all these things
are just in such a form and posture as if it was true.
CHAP. X.
Concerning the Chanel of the Sea, and the Original
of it: The Causes of its irregular form and unequal depths: As also of the Original of
Islands, their situation, and other properties.
WE have hitherto given an account of the Subterraneous Regions, and of their general
form; We now come above ground to view the surface of the Globe, which we find Terraqueous, or divided into Sea and Land: These we must survey,
and what is remarkable in them as to their frame and
structure, we must give an account of from our Hypothesis, and shew to be inaccountable from any other.
As for the Ocean, there are two things considerable
in it, the Water and the Chanel that contains it. The
Water, no doubt, is as ancient as the Earth and cotemporary with it, and we suppose it to be part of
the great Abysse wherein the World was drown'd;
the rest lying cover'd under the hollow fragments of
Continents and Islands. But that is not so much the
subject of our present discourse as the Chanel of the
Ocean, that vast and prodigious Cavity that runs
quite round the Globe, and reacheth, for ought we
