PHYSICAL HISTORY OF THE AMAZONS.
Drift about Rio de Janeiro.—Decomposition of underlying
Rock.—Different Aspect of Glacial Phenomena in different
Continents.—Fertility of the Drift.—Geological Observations
of Messrs. Hartt and St. John.—Correspondence of Deposits
along the Coast with those of Rio and those of the Valley of
the Amazons.—Primitive Formation of the Valley.—First known
Chapter of its History.—Cretaceous Fossil Fishes.—Former
Extent of the South-American Coast.—Cretaceous Fossils from
the Rio Purus.—Comparison between North and South
America.—Geological Formations along the Banks of the
Amazons.—Fossil Leaves.—Clays and Sandstones.—Hills of
Almeyrim.—Monte Alégre.—Situation and Scenery.—Serra of
Ereré.—Comparison with Swiss Scenery.—Boulders of
Ereré.—Ancient Thickness of Amazonian Deposits.—Difference
between Drift of the Amazons and that of Rio.—Inferences
drawn from the present Condition of the Deposits.—Immense
Extent of Sandstone Formation.—Nature and Origin of these
Deposits.—Referred to the Ice-Period.—Absence of Glacial
Marks.—Glacial Evidence of another Kind.—Changes in the
Outline of the South-American Coast.—Souré.—Igarapé
Grande.—Vigia.—Bay of Braganza.—Anticipation. 397–441