Geological Observations on South America By Charles Darwin CONTENTS EDITORIAL NOTE. DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS. GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON SOUTH AMERICA CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. ON THE ELEVATION OF THE EASTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER II. ON THE ELEVATION OF THE WESTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA. CHAPTER III. ON THE PLAINS AND VALLEYS OF CHILE:—SALIFEROUS SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS. CHAPTER IV. ON THE FORMATIONS OF THE PAMPAS. CHAPTER V. ON THE OLDER TERTIARY FORMATIONS OF PATAGONIA AND CHILE. CHAPTER VI. PLUTONIC AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS:—CLEAVAGE AND FOLIATION. CHAPTER VII. CENTRAL CHILE:—STRUCTURE OF THE CORDILLERA. CHAPTER VIII. NORTHERN CHILE.—CONCLUSION. INDEX EDITORIAL NOTE. Although in some respects more technical in their subjects and style than Darwin’s “Journal,” the books here reprinted will never lose their value and interest for the originality of the observations they contain. Many parts of them are admirably adapted for giving an insight into problems regarding the structure and changes of the earth’s surface, and in fact they form a charming introduction to physical geology and physiography in their application to special domains. The books themselves cannot be obtained for many times the price of the present volume, and both the general reader, who desires to know more of Darwin’s work, and the student of geology, who naturally wishes to know how a master mind reasoned on most important geological subjects, will be glad of the opportunity of possessing them in a convenient and cheap form. The three introductions, which my friend Professor Judd has kindly furnished, give critical and historical information which makes this edition of special value. G.T.B. DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS. CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. ON THE ELEVATION OF THE EASTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA. Upraised shells of La Plata.—Bahia Blanca, Sand-dunes and Pumice-pebbles.—Step-formed plains of Patagonia, with upraised shells.—Terrace-bounded valley of Santa Cruz, formerly a sea-strait.—Upraised shells of Tierra del Fuego.—Length and breadth of the elevated area.—Equability of the movements, as shown by the similar heights of the plains.—Slowness of the elevatory process.—Mode of formation of the step-formed plains.—Summary.- -Great shingle formation of Patagonia; its extent, origin, and distribution.—Formation of sea-cliffs.