CHAPTER IX.

STRATIFIED ROCKS OF ORGANIC ORIGIN--ILLUSTRATIONS FROM VEGETABLE LIFE.

Origin of Coal--Evident Traces of Plants and Trees in Coal Mines--Coal made up of the same Elements as Wood--Beds of Coal found resting upon Clay in which are preserved the Roots of Trees--Insensible Transition from Wood to Coal--Forest-covered Swamps--Accumulations of Drift Wood in Lakes and Estuaries--Peat Bogs--Beds of Lignite--Seams of pure Coal with half Carbonized Trees, some lying prostrate, some standing erect--Summary of the Argument hitherto pursued--Objection to this Argument from the Omnipotence of God--Answer to the Objection, 141