Manual of Geology: Treating of the Principles of the Science, With Special Reference to American Geological History (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Dana, James Dwight

9780265662380: Manual of Geology: Treating of the Principles of the Science, With Special Reference to American Geological History (Classic Reprint)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265662389 ISBN 13: 9780265662380

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Excerpt from Manual of Geology: Treating of the Principles of the Science, With Special Reference to American Geological History

Two reasons have led the author to give this Manual its American character: first, a desire to adapt it to the wants Of American stu dents; and, secondly, a belief that American Geological History, on account of the peculiar Simplicity and unity of the system of progress, affords the best basis for a text-book of the science. North America stands alone in the ocean, a simple isolated individual continent, even South America lying to the eastward of its meridians and, con Sequently, the laws and agencies of progress have been undisturbed by conflicting conditions and movements in other lands. The author has, therefore, written out North American Geology by itself, and drawn the chief illustrations Of continental development from its rec ords. Facts from other continents, however, have been freely added, because required, both to give completeness to the treatise, and to exhibit the comprehensiveness of geological principles. The aim has been to present for study the successive phases in the history of the Earth; that is, of its Continents, its Seas, its Climates, its Life, and of all its various characteristics, and not a mere series of facts about rocks and their dead fossils.

The author has endeavored to bring the volume into as small a compass as consistent with a proper exhibition of the science; and, if some find its pages too numerous, he feels confident that quite as many would prefer greater fullness. The details introduced have seemed to be necessary, in order that the march of events should be appreciated. At the same time, the work has been adapted to the general reader and literary student, by the printing of the scientific details in finer type. The convenience of a literary class has been further provided for by adding to the Appendix a brief synopsis Of the part in coarser type, in which each head is made to present a subject, or question, for special attention. And, as many may not be familiar with the science of zoology, a review of the classification of animals, with numerous figures, has been inserted as an introduction to the Historical part Of the Manual.

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