Essay on the Theory of the EarthCuvier, Georges, baron
Science
Essay on the Theory of the Earth
Cuvier, Georges, baron
Geology; Paleontology
the fragments are sunk: but towards the acetabulum, part of its
internal cellular structure is discernible.
“The thigh-bones, and the bones of the leg of the right side, are
in good preservation, but being considerably turned outwards, the
fibula lies buried in the stone, and is not seen. The lower part
of the femur of this side is indicated only by a bony outline,
and appears to have been distended by the compact limestone that
fills the cavities both of the bones of the leg and thigh, and to
the expansion of which, these bones probably owe their present
shattered condition. The lower end of the left thigh-bone appears
to have been broken and lost in the operation of detaching the
block; the two bones of the leg, however, on this side, are nearly
complete; the tibia was split almost the whole of its length a
little below the external edge, and the fissure being filled up
with limestone, now presents itself as a dark-coloured straight
line. The portion of the stone which contained part of the bones
of the tarsus and metatarsus, was unfortunately broken; but the
separate fragments are preserved.
“The whole of the bones, when first laid bare, had a mouldering
appearance, and the hard surrounding stone could not be detached
without frequently injuring their surface; but after an exposure
for some days to the air, they acquired a considerable degree of
hardness. Sir H. Davy, who subjected a small portion of them to
chemical analysis, found that they contained part of their animal
matter, and all their phosphate of lime.”
NOTE M, p. 128.
_Account of the Displacement of that part of the Coast of the
Adriatic which is occupied by the Mouths of the Po._
That portion of the shore of the Adriatic which lies between the
lake, or rather _lagune_, of Commachio, and the _lagunes_ of Venice,
has undergone considerable alterations since ancient times, as is
attested by authors worthy of entire credit, and as is still evinced
by the actual state of the soil in the districts near the coast;
but it is impossible now to give any exact detail of the successive
progress of these changes, and more especially of their precise
measures during the ages which preceded the twelfth century of our
era.
We are, however, certain, that the city of _Hatria_, now called
_Adria_, was formerly situated on the edge of the coast; and by this
we attain a known fixed point upon the primitive shore, whence the
nearest part of the present coast, at the mouth of the Adige, is at
the distance of 25,000 _metres_[386]; and it will be seen in the
sequel, that the extreme point of the alluvial promontory formed by
the Po, is farther advanced into the sea than the mouth of the Adige
by nearly 10,000 metres[387].
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