Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth
Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth
£51.00
GBPJohn Playfair (1748–1819) was a Scottish mathematician and geologist best known for his defence of James Hutton's geological theories. He attended the University of St Andrews, completing his theological studies in 1770. In 1785 he was appointed joint Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, and in 1805 he was elected Professor of Natural Philosophy. This highly influential book, first published in 1802, contains Playfair's clarification and summary of Hutton's geological concepts. Playfair concisely explains Hutton's theories on erosion and geothermal heat in rock formation and the concept of uniformitarianism in geology, illustrating these theories with his own precise observations on different types of rock strata. The clarity of Playfair's explanations was instrumental in popularising Hutton's geological theories, many of which are now recognised as key principles of modern geology. Playfair's strident defence of Hutton's ideas formed part of a controversial debate between Hutton's supporters and his detractors.
Product details
May 2011Paperback
9781108072311
554 pages
216 × 140 × 31 mm
0.7kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Advertisement
- Introduction
- Part I. Phenomena Peculiar to Stratified Bodies:
- 1. Materials of the strata
- 2. Consolidation of the strata
- 3. Position of the strata
- Part II. Phenomena Peculiar to Unstratified Bodies:
- 1. Metallic veins
- 2. Whinstone
- 3. Granite
- Part III. Phenomena Common to Stratified and Unstratified Bodies: Notes and Additions:
- 1. Origin of calcareous earth
- 2. Origin of coal
- 3. Primitive mountains
- 4. Primary strata not primitive
- 5. Transportation of the materials of the strata
- 6. Kirwan's notion of precipitation
- 7. Compression in the mineral regions
- 8. Sparry structure of calcareous petrifactions
- 9. Petroleum, etc.
- 10. The height above the level of the sea, at which marks of aqueous deposition are found
- 11. Fracture and dislocation of the strata
- 12. Elevation and inflexion of the strata
- 13. Metallic veins
- 14. On whinstone
- 15. On granite
- 16. Rivers and lakes
- 17. Remains of decomposed rocks
- 18. Transportation of stones, &c.
- 19. Transportation of materials by the sea
- 20. Inequalities of the planetary motions
- 21. Changes in the apparent level of the sea
- 22. Fossil bones
- 23. Geology of Kirwan and De Luc
- 24. System of Buffon
- 25. Figure of the earth
- 26. Prejudices relating to the theory of the earth.
