The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, Vol. XLIX: April-October 1850Various
Science
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, Vol. XLIX: April-October 1850
Various
Science -- Periodicals
"Indeed, in these modern formations of the Antilles, we find among the
fossil woods, the only portions of their vegetables that have hitherto
been collected, specimens which indicate the existence, not only of
numerous and varied palms, but of many other families of the
equatorial zone, such as Lianes, nearly related to Bauhinia and
Menispermeæ, Pisonia, &c. The vegetation of the Antilles had therefore
at this period the characters of the equatorial zone, as in Europe it
had then the characters of the temperate zone.
"Lastly, and to terminate our observations on this Flora of the latter
geological epoch which preceded the present one, we would remark that,
notwithstanding the general analogies which exist between the
vegetables of these formations and those now living in the temperate
regions, no species appears to be identical, at least with the plants
that still grow in Europe; and if, in some rare cases, complete
identity appears to exist, it is between these vegetables and American
species. Thus the Flora of Europe, even at the most recent geological
epoch, was very different from the European Flora of the present
day."--_L'Institut._
_Glacial Theory of the Erratics and Drift of the New
and Old Worlds_.[45]
By Professor L. AGASSIZ.
Footnote 45: _Vide_ Lake Superior, its physical character,
vegetation, and animals. By Professor Louis Agassiz. 1850.
_Glacialists and Antiglacialists.--Erratic basins of Switzerland.--Similar
phenomena observed in other parts of Europe.--Points necessary to be
settled; first, the relation in time and character between the
Northern and the Alpine erratics.--Traced in North America.--Not yet
settled whether any local centres of distribution in America; but
the general cause must have acted in all parts simultaneously.--This
action ceased at 35° north latitude; this incompatible with the
notion of currents.--In both hemispheres a direct reference to the
Polar Regions.--Difficulty_ _as to so extensive formation of Ice,
removed; difficulties on the theory of Currents, the effects
contrary to experience of Water-Action.--Erratic phenomena of Lake
Superior.--The Iceberg theory.--Description of appearances at Lake
Superior.--Drift; contains mud, and is without fossils.--Example of
juxtaposition of stratified and unstratified Drift, at
Cambridge.--Date of these phenomena not fully determined, but
doubtless simultaneous all over the Globe.--The various periods and
kinds of Drift distinguished.--Accompanied by change of level in the
Continent._
So much has been said and written within the last fifteen years upon
the dispersion of erratic boulders and drift, both in Europe and
America, that I should not venture to introduce this subject again, if
I were not conscious of having essential additions to present to those
interested in the investigation of these subjects.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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