where nothing but Salt and Sand is to be found at preſent; for the fixed Salt of Plants and Animals ſtays behind, while all the other Parts become volatile, and fly off." Mr. de Buffon, Hiſt. Nat.
This Theory may be confirmed by Facts, namely the great Quantity of Trees and Plants of every Kind, which covered all the deſart Iſlands diſcovered in the latter Centuries, and by the immenſe Foreſts Hiſtory informs us it was requiſite to cut down in all Parts of the World, in proportion as they became better inhabited, and the Inhabitants became more civilized. Upon which I muſt add the three following Remarks. One is, that if there are any Vegetables capable of replacing the vegetable Matter conſumed by Animals, according to Monſieur Buffon, they muſt be thoſe Trees whoſe Leaves and Branches collect and appropriate to themſelves the greateſt Quantity of Water and Vapour. The Second, that the Deſtruction of the Soil, that is to ſay, the Loſs of Subſtance fit for Vegetation, cannot but increaſe in proportion as the Earth is
