Page:Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology, 1837, volume 1.djvu/408

 404 which are the result of disturbing forces, that appear to a certain degree to have acted at random and fortuitously.

Elevations and subsidence's, inclinations and contortions, fractures and dislocations, are phenomena, which, although at first sight they present only the appearance of disorder and confusion, yet when fully understood, demonstrate the existence of Order, and Method, and Design, even in the operations of the most turbulent, among the many mighty physical forces which have affected the terraqueous globe.

Some of the most important results of the action of these forces have been already noticed in our fourth and fifth chapters; and our first Section, Pl. 1, illustrates their beneficial effect, in elevating and converting into habitable Lands, strata of various kinds that were formed at the bottom of the ancient Waters; and in diversifying the surface of these lands with Mountains, plains, and Valleys, of various productive