A System of Geology, With a Theory of the Earth, and an Explanation of Its Connexion With the Sacred Records (Volume 2) - Brossura

Brossura

ISBN 10: 1150650249 ISBN 13: 9781150650246

Riassunto

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1831. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAP. XLII. Coal. As there are few subjects in the range of geology more important than the natural history of coal, so there is none which has experienced a greater share of attention. There is no want of materials therefore towards a history of this substance, as it occurs in Britain at least; since these have been displayed with all the minuteness which attends subjects of great practical interest. If geologists have not equally done their duty, the cause must be explained by those who have had opportunities without profiting by them, where it has not consisted in the theories which have so long oppressed this science. But though a correct notion may possibly be formed of the geological relations of coal in the British dominions, the information which we possess relating to its disposition in other parts of the world, is far too meagre to permit a confident view of its entire connexions. The coal of the more recent secondary, of the tertiary strata, and of the alluvial soils, is described in the following chapter, under the term Lignite, in conformity to the division of Brongniart rather than to my own judgment; as some of that found under basalt, is also included under the same head, and as the remainder, improperly erected into a division by the name of basaltic coal, will come under review as part of the history of the ordinary deposits. It does not form a distinct geological variety; since the phenomena by which it is characterized are those of all the secondary strata which are influenced by trap rocks. Thus this chapter is allotted to the history of that coal which occurs immediately after the mountain limestone, and which has heen, with an improper exclusion, termed the Independent coal. But as no opportunity has yet offered, for considering that which...

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• ISBN 10: 1150650249
• ISBN 13: 9781150650246
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile