90 OLAFSEN AMD POVEESENS There is no doubt whatever that this surtarbrand, or ebony, was formerly a species of wood, and that there consequently existed a forest of it in the vicinity where it is found. That it is. a wood, is evidently proved from its filaments, buttons, and branches; and no one can venture to assert that it is merely a sport or production of nature. All that remains to be ascertained is, how these forests became the newel of the mountains, or the bed on which repose such enormous masses of rock and entire chains of hills; or how their transmutation into so different a substance from what this wood must have been in its origin, could have been effected. Many arguments might be brought forward in this respect, particularly when we consider the situ- ation, height, and component parts of the different mountains: indeed this ebony may be found in such as do not offer the least vestige of volcanic eruptions; but in the latter situations it is ranged without order, and the strata are of trivial extent. In nearly all these rocks are found fragments of volcanic strata, which have been melted either in part or entirely: these frag- ments are accompanied with small lava-pebbles, shore-flints, 8tc. in strata of vegetable mould. Some of the fragments of lava are perceptible in rocks where there is no petrified wood, as well as in those which contain that substance, but they are then commonly found in the upper part. We have no doubt that all these ex- traordinary effects have proceeded from some terrible subversion: and even that there must have been three successive shocks, each of which has deposited one of the strata of wood which may now’ be so distinctly remarked. These shocks, as well as many others, of equal extent and importance, must have proceeded from fire and water excited and put in action by the effects of the air; there must also have been three overthrows, or complete sub- versions, in order to accumulate the three enormous masses of rock, and to form a colossal wall so even and wonderful in its structure. With respect to the change which this wood has undergone by becoming totally black, and iu substance like horn, it is welt known that similar effects of nature have been observed in other parts of the world. Mummies have been preserved for thou- sands of years,. partly by bitumen, and partly by means of exsiccation; and in mines and spots that have given way we often meet with carcases, wood, and other objects which have not undergone the least alteration, because they had imbibed, a mineral juice which has embalmed anti hardened them, so as to preserve them entire as long as they are not exposed to the action of the air. It has been discovered, that vitriolic acid is one of the best agents for preventing bodies from corruption; and the ebony has probably acquired its barduess from being ex-

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