The Philosophy of GeologySimpkin, Marshall, and Company, 1846 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actuel æther affinities anciens antecedent appear argileux argument atômes atoms attractions bands become beds beginning causes CHAPTER consequent considered couches Neptuniennes création cristaux de quartz croûte crust crystalline rocks crystals of quartz destruction different distinct doctrine earth elements Encyclopædia Britannica entombed envelope epoch espèces established order eternity events existence facts feldspath felspar first form formation formed fossiles fusion ignée general geological géologie geologists geology globe gneiss granite granitic great HUMPHRY DAVY Hutton Huttonian hypothesis igneous fusion Keilhau LIGHT Lyell Lyell's masse matter melted metamorphic métamorphisme mica micaschist micaschistes mineral molecular nature Neptunian organic origin Ourals oxygen periods phénomènes philosophie power present primitive principle produced Puy-de-Dôme quartz question remains remarks result Roches Vulcaniennes rocks Russia same schistes science Silurian similar Sir Roderick Murchison solide space species specific gravity speculations state stratification supposition surface système tems terrestrial théorie theory things time tion tourmaline views William Herschel works world
Popular passages
Page 15 - Effects reciprocally to that invariable consequent ; and the relation itself, when considered abstractedly, we denominate Power in the object that is the invariable antecedent, Susceptibility in the object that exhibits in its change the invariable consequent...
Page 135 - From these considerations it appears that species have a real existence in nature, and that each was endowed, at the time of its creation, with the attributes and organization by which it is now distinguished.
Page 16 - A cause , therefore, in the fullest definition which it philosophically admits, may be said to be.*, that which immediately precedes any change, and which, existing at any time in similar circumstances, has been always, and will be always, immediately followed by a similar change^. Priority in the sequence observed, and invariableness of antecedence in the past and future sequences supposed, are the elements, and the only elements, combined in the notion of a cause.
Page 37 - We aspire in vain to assign limits to the works of creation in space, whether we examine the starry heavens, or that world of minute animalcules which is revealed to us by the microscope. We are prepared, therefore, to find that in time also the confines of the universe lie beyond the reach of mortal ken.
Page 64 - ... direction, and to attract and cohere together in another, and in the end become arranged into a regular form, which under equal circumstances is always the same for any given kind of matter ; that is, crystals are formed. Time and freedom of motion for the particles of bodies are necessary to the formation of crystals. If we force a fluid or a gas to become suddenly solid, leaving no time for its particles to arrange themselves, and cohere in that direction in which the cohesive attraction is...
Page 189 - From ether, effecting a transmutation in form, springs the pure and potent air, a vehicle of all scents ; and air is held endued with the quality of touch : 77. Then from air, operating a change, rises' light or fire, making objects visible, dispelling gloom, spreading bright rays ; and it is declared to have the quality of figure ; 78.
Page 135 - It may be considered, then, as determined by the over-balance of physiological authority, that there is a capacity in all species to accommodate themselves, to a certain extent, to a change of external circumstances; this extent varying greatly according to the species.
Page 21 - For having, in the natural history of this earth, seen a succession of worlds, we may from this conclude that there is a system in Nature; in like manner as, from seeing revolutions of the planets, it is concluded, that there is a system by which they are intended to continue those revolutions. But if the succession of worlds is established in the system of nature, it is in vain to look for anything higher in the origin of the earth. The result, therefore, of this physical inquiry is, that we find...
Page 39 - Si notiones ipsae confusee sint, et temere a rebus abstracts; nihil in iis quae superstruuntur est firmitudinis."t IT.
Page 188 - Brahma, figuratively as a general property of life,) then has this world its full expansion ; but, when he slumbers with a tranquil spirit, then the whole system fades away...