Principles of Geology ; Or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and Its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology

Dates of the successive Editions of the "Principles” and “Elements” (or Manual) of Geology, by the Author.

3d vol. 1st edition do.

New edition (called the 3d) of the whole work in 4 vols.

12mo.

4th edition, 4 vols. 12mo.

5th do. do. do.

Elements, 1st edition in one vol.

Principles, 6th do. 3 vols. 12mo.

Elements, 2d edition in 2 vols. 2 12mo.

Principles, 7th edition in one vol. 8vo.

—, 8th edition in one vol. 8vo.

Manual of Elementary Geology (or " Elements," 3d edition) in one

vol. 8vo.

Manual, 4th edition, one vol. 8vo.

Principles, 9th edition, now published in one vol. 8vo.

Feb. 1847.

May 1850.

Works by Sir Charles Lyell.

TRAVELS IN NORTH AMERICA, — 1841-2. With Geological Observations on the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia. With large coloured geological Map and Plates. 2 vols. post 8vo. 21s.

II.

A SECOND VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, - 1845–6. Second Edition. 2 vols. post 8vo. 18s.

III.

PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY; or the Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants considered, as illustrative of Geology. 9th Edition thoroughly revised. With Maps, Plates, and Woodcuts. 8vo. 188.

Monuments of the ANCIENT CHANGES of the Earth and its Inhabitants. 4th Edition, thoroughly revised. With numerous Wood-cuts and Plates. 8vo.

128.

ANALYSIS OF THE CONTENTS

THE PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY.

BOOK I. (CHAPTERS I. to XIII.)

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE PROGRESS OF GEOLOGY, WITH A SERIES OF ESSAYS

TO SHOW THAT THE MONUMENTS OF THE ANCIENT STATE OF THE EARTH AND

ITS INHABITANTS, WHICH THIS SCIENCE INTERPRETS, CAN ONLY BE UNDER.

STOOD BY A PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE WITH TERRESTRIAL CHANGES NOW

IN PROGRESS, BOTH IN THE ORGANIC AND INORGANIC WORLDS.

CHAPTER I.

Geology defined-Its retation to other Sciences

CHAPTER II.

- Page 1

Oriental and Egyptian Cosmogonies - Doctrines of the Greeks and Romans bearing on

Geology

CHAPTER III.

Historical progress of Geology-Arabian writers-Italian, French, German, and

English geologists before the nineteenth century - Physico-theological school.

CHAPTER IV.

Werner and Hutton-Modern progress of the science

CHAPTER V.

Prepossessions in regard to the duration of past time, and other causes which have re-

tarded the progress of Geology

CHAPTER VI.

Agreement of the ancient and modern course of nature considered-Changes of climate.

CHAPTERS VII. VIII.

Causes of vicissitudes in climate, and their connection with changes in physical geo-

graphy

CHAPTER IX.

92. 114

Theory of the progressive development of organic life at successive periods considered

- Modern origin of Man

130

CHAPTER X.

Supposed intensity of aqueous forces at remote periods-Erratic blocks - Deluges

CHAPTER XI.

Page 153

Supposed former intensity of the igneous forces — Upheaval of land— Volcanic action.

160

CHAPTER XII.

Causes of the difference in texture of older and newer rocks-Plutonic and Metamorphic

action

175

CHAPTER XIII.

Supposed alternate periods of repose and disorder-Opposite doctrine, which refers geo-

logical phenomena to an uninterrupted series of changes in the organic and inorganic

world, unattended with general catastrophes, or the development of paroxysmal

forces
- 180

BOOK II. (CHAPTERS XIV. to XXXII.)

OBSERVED CHANGES IN THE INORGANIC WORLD NOW IN PROGRESS: FIRST, THE
EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS CAUSES, SUCH AS RIVERS, SPRINGS, GLACIERS, WAVES,
TIDES, AND CURRENTS; SECONDLY, OF IGNEOUS CAUSES, OR SUBTERRANEAN
HEAT, AS EXHIBITED IN THE VOLCANO AND THE EARTHQUAKE.