Astronomical, or Mathematical, geography treats of the earth as a
planet, of its shape, its size, its lines of latitude and longitude,
its zones, and the phenomena due to to the earth's diurnal and annual
motions. -- Physical geography treats of the conformation of the
earth's surface, of the distribution of land and water, of minerals,
plants, animals, etc., and applies the principles of physics to the
explanation of the diversities of climate, productions, etc. --
Political geography treats of the different countries into which earth
is divided with regard to political and social and institutions and
conditions.
Ge*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth + &?; worship.] The
worship of the earth. G. W. Cox.
The Geological Series. The science of geology, as treating of the
history of the globe, involves a description of the different strata
which compose its crust, their order of succession, characteristic
forms of animal and vegetable life, etc. The principal subdivisions of
geological time, and the most important strata, with their relative
positions, are indicated in the following diagram.
{ Ge*ol"o*ger (?), Ge`o*lo"gi*an (?), } n. A geologist.
{ Ge`o*log"ic (?), Ge`o*log"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. gÈologique.] Of or
pertaining to geology, or the science of the earth.
Ge`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In a geological manner.
Ge*ol"o*gist (?), n. [Cf. F. GÈologiste.] One versed in the science of
geology.
Ge*ol"o*gize (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Geologized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Geologizing (?).] To study geology or make geological investigations in
the field; to discourse as a geologist.
During midsummer geologized a little in Shropshire.
Darwin.
Ge*ol"o*gy (?), n.; pl. Geologies (#). [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth +
-logy: cf. F. gÈologie.]
1. The science which treats: (a) Of the structure and mineral
constitution of the globe; structural geology. (b) Of its history as
regards rocks, minerals, rivers, valleys, mountains, climates, life,
etc.; historical geology. (c) Of the causes and methods by which its
structure, features, changes, and conditions have been produced;
dynamical geology. See Chart of The Geological Series.