CHAPTER II. ON THE ELEVATION OF THE WESTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA.
CHAPTER III. ON THE PLAINS AND VALLEYS OF CHILE:—SALIFEROUS SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS.
CHAPTER IV. ON THE FORMATIONS OF THE PAMPAS.
CHAPTER V. ON THE OLDER TERTIARY FORMATIONS OF PATAGONIA AND CHILE.
CHAPTER VI. PLUTONIC AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS:—CLEAVAGE AND FOLIATION.
CHAPTER VII. CENTRAL CHILE:—STRUCTURE OF THE CORDILLERA.
CHAPTER VIII. NORTHERN CHILE.—CONCLUSION.
INDEX
EDITORIAL NOTE.
Although in some respects more technical in their subjects and style
than Darwin’s “Journal,” the books here reprinted will never lose their
value and interest for the originality of the observations they
contain. Many parts of them are admirably adapted for giving an insight
into problems regarding the structure and changes of the earth’s
surface, and in fact they form a charming introduction to physical
geology and physiography in their application to special domains. The
books themselves cannot be obtained for many times the price of the
present volume, and both the general reader, who desires to know more
of Darwin’s work, and the student of geology, who naturally wishes to
know how a master mind reasoned on most important geological subjects,
will be glad of the opportunity of possessing them in a convenient and
cheap form.
The three introductions, which my friend Professor Judd has kindly
furnished, give critical and historical information which makes this
edition of special value.
G.T.B.
DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CRITICAL INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I.
ON THE ELEVATION OF THE EASTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA.
Upraised shells of La Plata.—Bahia Blanca, Sand-dunes and
Pumice-pebbles.—Step-formed plains of Patagonia, with upraised
shells.—Terrace-bounded valley of Santa Cruz, formerly a
sea-strait.—Upraised shells of Tierra del Fuego.—Length and breadth of
the elevated area.—Equability of the movements, as shown by the similar
heights of the plains.—Slowness of the elevatory process.—Mode of
formation of the step-formed plains.—Summary.- -Great shingle formation
of Patagonia; its extent, origin, and distribution.—Formation of
sea-cliffs.