in natural history, the several beds or layers of different matters, whereof the body of the earth is composed.

The strata include all the layers of earths, minerals, metals, stones, &c. lying under the upper tegument, or stratum, the turf or mould.

The time when these several strata were laid, was doubtless at the creation; unless, with some great naturalists, as Steno, Dr. Woodward, &c. we suppose the globe of the earth to have been dissolved by the deluge.