[i]

THE

ELEMENTS OF GEOLOGY;

ADAPTED TO THE USE OF

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.


BY

JUSTIN R. LOOMIS,

PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AND GEOLOGY IN WATERVILLE COLLEGE.

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.


BOSTON:
GOULD AND LINCOLN,
59 WASHINGTON STREET.
1852

 [ii]

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852,
By GOULD & LINCOLN,

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

Stereotyped by

HOBART & ROBBINS,

BOSTON.

PRESS OF G. C. RAND, CORNHILL, BOSTON.

[iii]

PREFACE

In preparing the following work, it was intended to presenta systematic and somewhat complete statement of theprinciples of Geology, within such limits that they may bethoroughly studied in the time usually allotted to thisscience.

A sufficient number of leading facts has been introducedto enable the learner to feel that every important principleis a conclusion to which he has himself arrived; and yet, forthe purpose of compression, that fullness of detail has beenavoided with which more extended works abound. In furtheranceof the same object, authorities are seldom cited.

The consideration of geological changes is made a distinctchapter, subsequent to the one on the arrangement ofmaterials. It should, however, be remembered that theseprocesses of arranging and disturbing are not thus separatedin time. In nature the two processes are always goingon together.

It seemed important to exhibit the science with as muchunity and completeness as possible; and hence, discussions[iv]upon debatable points in Theoretical Geology, so interestingto mature geologists, would have been out of place here;and yet those more intricate subjects have not been omitted.A large proportion of the work is devoted to theexplanation of geological phenomena, in order to convey anidea of the modes of investigation adopted, and the kind ofevidence relied on. Where diversities of opinion exist, thatview has been selected which seemed most in harmony withthe facts; and the connection has not often been interruptedto combat, or even to state, the antagonist view.

Technical terms have, in a few instances, been introduced,and principles referred to, which are subsequently explained.The index will, however, enable the student to understandthem, without a separate glossary.

Some may prefer to commence with the second chapter,deferring the study of the elementary substances, mineralsand rocks, to the last. Such a course may be pursued withoutspecial inconvenience.

Questions have been added, for the convenience of thoseteachers who may prefer to conduct their recitations by thismeans. But, when the circumstances of the case admit ofit, a much more complete knowledge of the subject will beacquired by pupils who are required to analyze the sections,and proceed with the recitation themselves; while the teacherhas only to correct misapprehension, explain what mayseem obscure, and introduce additional illustrations.