An elementary treatise on geology; determining fundamental points in that science, and containing an examination of some modern geological systems, ... of the Huttonian theory of the earth - Jean André Luc, Paperback

• Release Date   5/22/2012
• ISBN-13   9781236462015 | 978-1-236-46201-5
• ISBN   1236462017 | 1-236-46201-7
• Format   Paperback
• Author(s)   Jean André Luc
• This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 Excerpt: ...allowable to decide on the certainty of one of those " ways,", until we have given an exposition of the other, and even discussed the arguments adduced in its favour by those who have adopted it. If Mr. Playfair had done this,' which certainly was but rea sonable, he would have become aware of the error, into which he had fallen, as I have remarked above, with respect to my system, and would have been obliged to look for someother demonstration of his own theory. 179. I had also explained in what manner the subsidences of the strata had been produced, together with all the ensuing consequences, as manifested by the phenomena. the whole of which formed a complete system: while, with respect to his own hypothesis, Mr. Playfair says only: " As to the " power by which this great effect has been produced, " we cannot expect t0'decide with equal c'vidence.". Now this is saying very little, considering that the whole theory rests on that point. However, from this expression, it is-natural to expect that he will at least establish the probability both" of the existence of _ that " power," (an intense heat, as he supposcs,) and of a certain mode of its action. It is therefore with a view to that point that I shall proceedto examine what he says o_n,these'"pbjects., With regard to the first, namely, the existence of the power sup»-.q " posed, posed, he does not ground it upon any phenomenon connected with the act of elevation. he infers it from one, which bears no kind of relation to it, namely, the solidity of the greatest part of the mineral strata, the consolidation of which hesupposes to have been produced by an intense heat. Thus, when speaking of this power, as having " burst ...