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1798             -ces a kind of hard, speckled substance, which may probably be what is
February       called the toad stone. From the manner in which these had inserted themselves, it could have been done only when in a liquid state. granite being the heaviest of all stones, must, according to geologists, have been placed nearer than any other to the centre of the earth, in its primitive state; and being situated so near the fountain of fire & heat might be dissolved, when the more light bodies such as slate, were not, or perhaps could not. When the universal burst happened, which some suppose to have taken place in consequence of the sudden rarefaction of the air & water, which had gained admission to this internal region of fire, these bodies might naturally become thus compounded; the liquid substance filling up every interstice, which its fluidity and superior gravity enabled it to penetrate.
    On the two islands there were plenty of seals, Mount Pitt birds, & penguins for our purpose; but it required a good deal of search to find a sufficiency of brackish water. We were detained one day on the western island by a gale force wind from the south-east, and being on the south east side when it came on, it was with risk we got round to a place of safety: In these passages I had no opportunity of sounding; for having carried away the step of the boats mast, we were obliged to use the lead line as shrouds to support it: but the breakers & shoal water, as far as we could see them, are