The Earth's History: An Introduction to Modern GeologyJ. Murray, 1893 - 270 pages |
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Common terms and phrases
accumulated acids amount basalt beds bottom British calcareous calcium carbonate Cañon Carboniferous changes chemical coal Coal-measures coast colour cone coral reefs crust deep-sea delta denudation deposits depression depth destruction district earth Eigg elevation eruptions extent fathoms feet fissures Foraminifera formation forms Geikie Geol geological geologist Globigerina ooze grains per gallon igneous rocks inches indicated island land land-areas lava limestone marine mass mechanical suspension Mesozoic Millstone Grit Mississippi Monte Nuovo mountain Murray North observed occur ocean Old Red Old Red Sandstone organic Paleozoic period pitchstone polyps portion present quantity Radiolarian ooze rain rainfall Red Clay Red Sandstone regions remains result rise river sand Scotland sea-bed sea-bottom sea-water sediment sedimentary shale shells shore silica Silurian soil solid material solution South square miles strata stream subsidence surface temperature temple Tertiary Thames thickness tion tons traced Uniformitarian valley Vesuvius volcanic action Wales
Popular passages
Page 256 - Within a finite period of time past, the earth must have been, and within a finite period of time to come, the earth must again be, unfit for the habitation of man as at present constituted, unless operations have been, or are to be performed, which are impossible under the laws to which the known operations going on at present in the material world are subject.
Page 254 - We have now got to the end of our reasoning ; we have no data further to conclude immediately from that which actually is. But we have got enough, — we have the satisfaction to find that, in Nature, there is wisdom, system, and consistency.
Page 255 - The result, therefore, of this physical inquiry is, that we find no vestige of a beginning, — no prospect of an end"§.
Page vi - What was the distribution of land and water that obtained in the area when each group of rocks was formed ? What was the condition of its surface, and what the forms of life inhabiting it? What were the ocean.ic conditions : the depths in different parts ; the forms of life inhabiting the water...
Page ix - IN examining things present, we have data from which to reason with regard to what has been; and, from what has actually been, we have data for concluding with regard to that which is to happen hereafter. Therefore, upon the supposition that the operations of nature are equable and steady, we find, in natural appearances, means for concluding a certain portion of time to have necessarily elapsed, in the production of those events of which we see the effects.
Page 2 - Traveling with me you find what never tires. The earth never tires, The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first, Nature is rude and incomprehensible at first, Be not discouraged, keep on, there are divine things well envelop 'd, I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell.