Cambridge:
PRINTED BY J. & C. F. CLAY,
AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

[PREFACE.]

The present work has been written in order that students may gain by its perusal some idea of the methods and scope of Stratigraphical Geology. I believe that this idea can be obtained most satisfactorily, if a large number of the details connected with the study of the stratified rocks are omitted, and I have accordingly given very brief accounts of the strata of the different Systems.

The work is intended for use in conjunction with any book which treats of the strata of the Geological Column at considerable length; some of these books are mentioned on pages [124], [125].

J. E. M.

Cambridge,
November, 1898.

[CONTENTS.]

PAGE
[CHAPTER I.]
Introduction1
[CHAPTER II.]
Account of the growth and progress of stratigraphical geology6
[CHAPTER III.]
Nature of the stratified rocks21
[CHAPTER IV.]
The law of superposition31
[CHAPTER V.]
The test of included organisms40
[CHAPTER VI.]
Methods of classification of the strata58
[CHAPTER VII.]
Simulation of structures72
[CHAPTER VIII.]
Geological maps and sections84
[CHAPTER IX.]
Evidences of conditions under which strata were formed97
[CHAPTER X.]
Evidences of conditions under which strata were formed, continued116
[CHAPTER XI.]
The classification of the stratified rocks125
[CHAPTER XII.]
The Precambrian rocks132
[CHAPTER XIII.]
Cycles of change in the British area149
[CHAPTER XIV.]
The Cambrian system152
[CHAPTER XV.]
The Ordovician system164
[CHAPTER XVI.]
The Silurian system and the changes which occurred in Britain at the close of Silurian times174
[CHAPTER XVII.]
The Devonian system183
[CHAPTER XVIII.]
The Carboniferous system192
[CHAPTER XIX.]
The changes which occurred during the third continental period in Britain; and the foreign Permo-Carboniferous rocks202
[CHAPTER XX.]
The Permian system209
[CHAPTER XXI.]
The Triassic system218
[CHAPTER XXII.]
The Jurassic system226
[CHAPTER XXIII.]
The Cretaceous system236
[CHAPTER XXIV.]
The Eocene rocks244
[CHAPTER XXV.]
The Oligocene and Miocene periods251
[CHAPTER XXVI.]
The Pliocene beds256
[CHAPTER XXVII.]
The Pleistocene accumulations260
[CHAPTER XXVIII.]
The Steppe period267
[CHAPTER XXIX.]
The Forest period275
[CHAPTER XXX.]
Remarks on various questions278

ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA.

[p. 38], line 15 from bottom: for 'joining' read 'jointing'

[p. 208], line 6 from bottom: for 'Dr' read 'Messrs Medlicott and'

[p. 214], line 15 from bottom: after 'Permo-Carboniferous Strata' insert 'through the Permian'

[p. 217], last line of footnote: for 'Dr' read 'Messrs Medlicott and'

[p. 217], insert a second footnote: 'For information concerning the Permian volcanic rocks see Sir A. Geikie's Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain.'

[p. 235], insert a footnote: 'A good account of the British Jurassic rocks will be found in Mr H. B. Woodward's Memoir on "The Jurassic Rocks of Britain." Mem. Geol. Survey, 1893—.'

[p. 250], top line: for 'Gardiner' read 'Gardner'