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PRINCIPLES

OF

GEOLOGY,

BEING

AN ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN THE FORMER CHANGES
OF THE EARTH'S SURFACE,

BY REFERENCE TO CAUSES NOW IN OPERATION.

BY

CHARLES LYELL, Esq., F.R.S.

FOR. SEC. TO THE GEOL. SOC., &c.

211332

LONDON: Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES,

Stamford Street.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Geology defined-Compared to History-Its relation to other Physical

Sciences-Its distinctness from all-Not to be confounded with Cosmo-

gony

PAGE

1

CHAPTER II.

Oriental Cosmogony-Doctrine of the successive destruction and reno-

vation of the world-Origin of this doctrine-Common to the Egpytians-

Adopted by the Greeks-System of Pythagoras-Of Aristotle-Dogmas

concerning the extinction and reproduction of genera and species-Strabo's

theory of elevation by earthquakes-Pliny-Concluding remarks on the

knowledge of the Ancients

5

CHAPTER III.

Arabian writers of the Tenth century-Persecution of Omar-Cosmogony

of the Koran-Early Italian writers-Fracastoro-Controversy as to the real

nature of organized fossils-Fossil shells attributed to the Mosaic deluge—

Palissy-Steno-Scilla-Quirini-Boyle-Plot-Hooke's Theory of Eleva-

tion by earthquakes-His speculations on lost species of animals-Ray-

Physico-theological writers-Woodward's Diluvial Theory-Burnet-Whis-

ton-Hutchinson-Leibnitz-Vallisneri-Lazzoro Moro-Generelli-Buffon

-His theory condemned by the Sorbonne as unorthodox-Buffon's decla-

ration-Targioni-Arduino-Michell-Catcott-Raspe - Fortis - Testa-

Whitehurst-Pallas-Saussure

• 21

PAGE

CHAPTER IV.

Werner's application of Geology to the art of Mining-Excursive character

of his lectures-Enthusiasm of his pupils-His authority-His theoretical

errors-Desmarest's map and description of Auvergne-Controversy between

the Vulcanists and Neptunists-Intemperance of the rival Sects-Hutton's

theory of the Earth-His discovery of granite veins-Originality of his

views-Why opposed-Playfair's illustrations-Influence of Voltaire's writ-

ings on Geology-Imputations cast on the Huttonians by Williams, Kirwan,

and De Luc-Smith's map of England-Geological Society of London-

Progress of the Science in France-Growing importance of the study of or-

ganic remains

55

CHAPTER V.

Review of the causes which have retarded the progress of Geology-Effects

of prepossessions in regard to the duration of past time-Of prejudices arising

from our peculiar position as inhabitants of the land-Of those occasioned by

our not seeing subterranean changes now in progress-All these causes com-

bine to make the former course of Nature appear different from the present

-Several objections to the assumption, that existing causes have produced

the former changes of the earth's surface, removed by modern discoveries

76

CHAPTER VI.

Proofs that the climate of the Northern hemisphere was formerly hotter-

Direct proofs from the Organic remains of the Sicilian and Italian strata-

Proofs from analogy derived from extinct Quadrupeds-Imbedding of Ani-

mals in Icebergs-Siberian Mammoths-Evidence in regard to temperature,

from the fossil remains of tertiary and secondary rocks-From the plants of

the coal formation

92

CHAPTER VII.

On the causes of vicissitudes in climate-Remarks on the present diffusion of

heat over the globe-On the dependence of the mean temperature on the re-

lative position of land and sea-Isothermal lines-Currents from equatorial re-

gions-Drifting of Icebergs-Different temperature of Northern and Southern

hemispheres-Combination of causes which might produce the extreme cold

of which the earth's surface is susceptible-On the conditions necessary for

the production of the extreme of heat, and its probable effects on organic life 104

PAGE

CHAPTER VIII.

Geological proofs that the geographical features of the northern hemisphere,

at the period of the deposition of the carboniferous strata, were such as would,

according to the theory before explained, give rise to an extremely hot climate

-Origin of the transition and mountain limestones, coal-sandstones, and coal

-Change in the physical geography of northern latitudes, between the era

of the formation of the carboniferous series and the lias-Character of organic

remains, from the lias to the chalk inclusive-State of the surface when these

deposits originated—Great accession of land, and elevation of mountain-chains,

between the consolidation of the newer secondary and older tertiary rocks-

Consequent refrigeration of climate-Abrupt transition from the organic re-

mains of the secondary to those of the tertiary strata-Maestricht beds-Re-

marks on the theory of the diminution of central heat

CHAPTER IX.

Theory of the progressive development of organic life considered-Evidence

in its support wholly inconclusive-Vertebrated animals in the oldest strata-

Differences between the organic remains of successive formations-Remarks on

the comparatively modern origin of the human race-The popular doctrine of

successive development not confirmed by the admission that man is of modern

origin-In what manner the change in the system caused by the introduction

of man affects the assumption of the uniformity of the past and future course

of physical events

125

144

CHAPTER X.

Division of the subject into changes of the organic and inorganic world—

Inorganic causes of change divided into the aqueous and igneous-Aqueous

causes-Destroying and transporting power of running water-Sinuosities of

rivers-Two streams when united do not occupy a bed of double surface—

Heavy matter removed by torrents and floods-Recent inundations in Scot-

land-Effects of ice in removing stones-Erosion of chasms through hard

rocks-Excavations in the lavas of Etna by Sicilian rivers-Gorge of the

Simeto-Gradual recession of the cataracts of Niagara-Speculations as to

the time required for their reaching Lake Erie

167

CHAPTER XI.

Action of running water, continued-Course of the Po-Desertion of its

old channel-Artificial embankments of the Po, Adige, and other Italian

rivers-Basin of the Mississippi-Its meanders-Islands-Shifting of its