COMMON SCHOOL TREATISES NO. I. THE SCIENCE OF GEOLOGY. FROM THE GLASGOW TREATISES, WITH ADDITIONS. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. NEW HAVEN. PUBLISHED BY B. & W. NOYES. 1838. Entered according to an Act of Congress, A D. 1838, by J. S. REDFIELD, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. HARVARD ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST AMERICAN EDITION The increasing interest with which the science of Geology is regarded by all classes of readers has induced the reprint of this compendium, which forms one of the series of useful little works known as the Glasgow Treatises. Several paragraphs and cuts have been added, for the purpose of illustrating American Geology, or new discoveries in the sciFew alterations have been found necessary in revising the text, but the theory of Mr. Lyell in regard to ancient climate is now stated in a more guarded manner than was adopted by the author ; this being, probably, the most doubtful of all the positions maintained by that eminent geologist. ence. New York, July 30, 1838. EDITOR. THE SCIENCE OF GEOLOGY. THERE is no science-not even excepting astronomy-so deeply interesting as geology, whether in a popular or scientifick point of view, and yet there is none so little known. Several causes have contributed to this. For example, many people are apt to confound this science with mineralogy, and so regard it as a dry study of the qualities of rocks. Another, and perhaps a principal cause, is the alleged discordance between its doctrines and the terms of the Mosaic history. We trust to be able to show that there is no such discordance; but, at present, we would simply remark, that nothing can be more absurd than to allow such an allegation to prevent us from prosecuting the study of any science. The Bible is given to us, not as a history of the physical changes which have occurred in the history of our globe, but as a revelation of those truths which divine wisdom has considered necessary for our moral guidance and direction. There are statements in the Bible which we cannot explain, and there are thousands of instances in the material world where we are equally at fault. And should it be cause of wonder that we cannot reconcile the appearances of the crust of our earth with the short and condensed history given by Moses? As well might we denounce the study of astronomy, because we are told, in the history of Joshua, that the sun 1* |