THEORYOF THEEARTH
WITH PROOFS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
By JAMES HUTTON, M.D. & F.R.S.E.
IN FOUR PARTS.
EDINBURGH
1795.
VOL. II.
CONTENTS.
VOL. II.
Farther Induction of Facts and Observations,
respecting the Geological Part of
the Theory
INTRODUCTION
CHAP. I.
Facts in Confirmation of the Theory ofElevating Land above the Surface ofthe Sea.
CHAP. II.
The same Subject continued, with Examplesfrom different Countries.
CHAP. III.
Facts in confirmation of the Theory, respectingthose Operations which re-dissolvethe Surface of the Earth.
CHAP. IV.
The same Subject continued, in giving stillfarther Views of the Dissolution of theEarth.
CHAP. V.
Facts in confirmation of the Theory respectingthe Operations of the Earth employedin forming Soil for Plants.
CHAP. VI.
A View of the Economy of Nature, andnecessity of Wasting the Surface of theEarth, in serving the purposes of thisWorld.
CHAP. VII.
The same Subject continued, in giving aView of the Operations of Air andWater upon the Surface of the Land.
CHAP. VIII.
The present Form of the Surface of theEarth explained, with a View of theOperation of Time upon our Land.
CHAP. IX.
The Theory Illustrated, with a View ofthe Summits of the Alps.
CHAP. X.
The Theory Illustrated, with a View ofthe Valleys of the Alps.
CHAP. XI.
Facts and Opinions concerning the NaturalConstruction of Mountains and Valleys.
CHAP. XII.
The Theory Illustrated, by adducing Examplesfrom the different Quarters ofthe Globe.
CHAP. XIII.
The same Subject continued.
CHAP. XIV.
Summary of the Doctrine which has beennow Illustrated.
PART II.
FARTHER INDUCTION OF FACTS
AND
OBSERVATIONS,
RESPECTING THE GEOLOGICAL PART
OF THE
THEORY.
INTRODUCTION.
By the present theory, the earth on whichwe dwell is represented as having beenformed originally in horizontal strata at thebottom of the ocean; hence it should appear,that the land, in having been raised from thesea, and thus placed upon a higher level,had been of a different shape and conditionfrom that in which we find it at the presenttime. This is a proposition now to be considered.
In whatever order and disposition the hardand solid parts of the land were at the time ofits emerging from the surface of the sea, noprovision would have then been made for conductingthe rivers of the earth; therefore, thewater from the heavens, moving from thesummits of the land to the shores, must haveformed for themselves those beds or channelsin which the rivers run at present; bedswhich have successively changed their placesover immense extents of plains that have oftenbeen both destroyed and formed again;and beds which run between the skirts of hillsthat have correspondent angles, for no otherreason but because the river has hollowed outits way between them.
In this view of things, the form of our landmust be considered as having been determinedby three different causes, all of which haveoperated, more or less, in producing the presentstate of those things which we examine.First, There is a regular stratification of themat