Elementary Geology

Front matter

THE PUBLISHERS BEG LEAVE TO CALL THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC TO THE FOLLOWING UNSOLICITED NO- TICES OF THE ELEMENTARY GEOLOGY, FROM GENTLE- MEN EMINENTLY QUALIFIED TO JUDGE OF ITS MERITS. From Gideon A. Mantell, LL.D. F.R.S. F.G.S., &c. &c. London, Author op the Wonders of Geology, &c. " I have obtained a copy of your Treatise on Geology. It is an admirable work. It has been my carriage companion for some time." From Prof. B. Silliman, LL.D. of Yale College. " I am greatly in fault in not having answered your kind letter of Aug. 20th. with a copy of your valuable work on Geology. I took the work with me to the west in the expectation of looking it over : and although I failed to read it satisfactorily, I glanced at it enough to convince me of its high value, and shall recommend it in my Lectures."

From Prof. J. W. Webster, of Harvard University. " I have just received a copy of your ' Elementary Geology,' for which I beg you to accept many thanks. I am thankful that you have found time to present us with so excellent a view of the science, and shall recommend the work warmly to the class attending my lectures. From Prof. C. Dewey, of Rochester, N. Y. " I introduced your Geology into onr Academy. Part of it is hard reasoning for minds not pretty well matured. Still it is so vastly better than any thing in the English language with which I am acquainted, that I boast over it. It is admirable for the College course." From Prof. Henry D. Rogers, of the University of Pennsylvania. " I thank you sincerely for a copy of your work, and yet more for present ing us with an Elementary Treatise on Geology in a form so well adapted to^the wants of instructors.

Having for several years past felt the want of. just such a book for my Class in the University, I hailed its appearance with real satisfaction." From Prof. W. W. Mather, Geologist to one of the Districts or N. York, and to the State of Ohio. " I have examined your little work on Geology with much interest and satisfaction. It presents a large mass of matter in a small compass ; is lucid, concise and its materials are arranged in the most convenient form for the student. It seems to form a happy medium between the more elementary books for schools, and those for the more advanced students of geology. Its copious references to various works on geology, will be a great advantage to those who choose to go to the original sources and dive deeper into the va rious subjects discussed." , From Prof. J. W. Bailey, of the Military Academy, West Point.

Preface

. In preparing this work, three objects have been kept principally in view. The first was to prepare a Text Book for my Classes in Geology : the second, to bring together the materials for a Synopsis of Geology, to be appended to my Final Report on the Geology of Massachusetts, now in the press : And the third was, to present to the public a condensed view of the present state of geological facts, theories, and hypotheses ; especially to those who have not the leisure to study very extended works on this subject. In its execution, the work differs from any with which I am acquainted, in the following particulars. 1. It is arranged in the form of distinct Propositions or Principles, with Definitions and Proofs : and the Inferences follow those principles on which they are mainly dependent. This method was adopted, as it long has been in most other sciences, for the convenience of teaching : but it also enables one to condense the matter very much. 2.

An attempt has been made to present the whole subject in its proper proportions ; viz. its facts, theories, and hypotheses, with their nistorical and religious relations, and a sketch of the geology of all the countries of the globe that have been explored. All geological works with which I am acquainted, either omit some of these subjects, or dwell very disproportionably upon some of them. 3. It is made more American than republications from European writers, by introducing a greater amount of our geology. 4. It contains copious references to writers, where the different points here briefly discussed, may be found amply treated. 5. It contains a Palæontological Chart, whose object is to bring under a glance of the eye, the leading facts respecting organic remains. Whether these peculiarities of the present work will be regarded by the public as improvements, important enough to deserve their patronage, time only can show. | Type of two sizes is employed in this work.

The most important principles, facts, and proofs, are in larger type, to call the special attention of the student or reader : while many of the details and remarks are in smaller type. The subject is subdivided into the following heads ; whose abbreviations will not need explanation : viz. Definition: Principle: Description: Inference: Remark: Proof: Details: Illustration. Where an - 1* VI

PREFACE.

. inference depends upon several principles, I have added a synopsis of all the proofs on which it rest's. In European countries especially, and to a good degree in our own country, geology has become a popular and even fash ionable study. In most of our higher Seminaries of learning, it is explained by at least a course of lectures. But in Institu tions of a lower grade, it receives far less attention than its merits deserve. Why should not a science, whose facts possess a thrilling interest ; whose reasonings are admirably adapted for mental discipline, and often severely task the strongest powers ; and whose results are many of them as grand and ennobling as those of Astronomy itself; (such Astronomers as Herschel and Whewell being judges,*) why should not such a science be thought as essential in education as the kindred branches of Chemistry and Astronomy?

That all the parts of this Science are not yet as well settled as those of Astronomy and Chemistry, is no objection to making it a branch of education, so lone; as every intelligent man must admit that its fundamental facts and principles are well established. Amherst College, Aug. 1. 1840. THIRD EDITION. In presenting thus early a third edition of this work to the public, I will only say, that I have done all in my power to in troduce into it all the important discoveries and improvements which have been recently made in the science. To enforce still more strongly the remarks of Dr. Smith, in the unsolicited Introductory Notice of this work which follows, respecting the importance of an acquaintance with Geology to the minister and the missionary, I will quote a few sentences from the letters of two esteemed missionary friends, now in active service in distant lands.

Rev. Justin Perkins, American Missionary in Ooroomiah in Persia, under date of Oct. 1, 1839, thus writes. " Did not my missionary work press upon me so constantly, and with such mountain weight, I should feel strongly tempted to study geology, (of which I know very little,) so wonderfully * " Geology, in the magnitude and sublimity of the objects of which it treats, undoubtedly ranks, in the scale of sciences, next to astronomy."— Sir John Herschel.

PREFACE.

. VII interesting, in a geological point of view, does the face of Persia appear to me. Indeed, I often feel that this interesting and im portant science has peculiar claims on American Missionaries. Visiting, as they do, all portions of the world, they enjoy oppor tunities of contributing to it, with almost no sacrifice of time or effort, which are possessed by no other class of American citizens. I know not that I can better atone for my own deficiency in this respect, than by requesting you, in my behalf, to urge upon the missionary students in College, the high importance of their ob taining a good practical knowledge of geology and mineralogy, while attending your lectures, as they would enhance their use fulness, in future life. It is the combined light of all truth, scientific, as well as religious, which is to render so perfect and glorious the splendor of millenial day !"

Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, Missionary at Ahmednuggur in India, writes under date of Nov. 1, 1841, as follows: " Did I possess an intimate acquaintance with mineralogy, it would be of great use to me in going over the country. When we go out to evangelize, it is very pleasant to be able to geolo gize and botanize : and such abilities render our trips far more subservient to the preservation of health. I think students err very much in not devoting to your department (in College) the full amount of time which is allotted to it in the course of studies. Perhaps they do differently in these days of reform. Every individual, who has a moderate ability for such studies, could with a little system and resolution, and without detriment to his other studies, acquire that knowledge of these branches which would be of great value to him in after life, especially if he intends to be a missionary.

There are times when an ad ditional source of relaxation or amusement is worth just about a man's life. There is now an individual connected with this mission, who has been raised from a state of great debility and weakness, by turning his attention to botany and mineralogy : at least, such appear to be the means which God has used. Of all situations, the missionary in heathen lands most needs plea sant sources of relaxation. When his mind sinks to a certain point under discouragement, or the weight of responsibility, if he has nothing with which to divert it, it begins to prey upon itself; and then there is no remedy but to leave the field." Amherst College, Apl. 1842. CONTENTS. Page. Introductory Notice by Dr. Pye Smith. 9

The History of Geology 291