Geological Observations on South America   By: Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

by CHARLES DARWIN

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.

PLATE I. GEOLOGICAL SECTIONS THROUGH THE CORDILLERAS.

SECTION 1/1. SECTION OF THE PEUQUENES OR PORTILLO PASS OF THE CORDILLERA.

SECTION 1/2. SECTION OF THE CUMBRE OR USPALLATA PASS.

SECTION 1/3. SECTION OF THE VALLEY OF COPIAPO TO THE BASE OF THE MAIN CORDILLERA.

PLATE II. MAP OF SOUTHERN PORTION OF SOUTH AMERICA.

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.

CHAPTER II. ON THE ELEVATION OF THE WESTERN COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA.

Chonos Archipelago. Chiloe, recent and gradual elevation of, traditions of the inhabitants on this subject. Concepcion, earthquake and elevation of. VALPARAISO, great elevation of, upraised shells, earth or marine origin, gradual rise of the land within the historical period. COQUIMBO, elevation of, in recent times; terraces of marine origin, their inclination, their escarpments not horizontal. Guasco, gravel terraces of. Copiapo. PERU. Upraised shells of Cobija, Iquique, and Arica. Lima, shell beds and sea beach on San Lorenzo. Human remains, fossil earthenware, earthquake debacle, recent subsidence. On the decay of upraised shells. General summary.

CHAPTER III. ON THE PLAINS AND VALLEYS OF CHILE: SALIFEROUS SUPERFICIAL DEPOSITS.

Basin like plains of Chile; their drainage, their marine origin. Marks of sea action on the eastern flanks of the Cordillera. Sloping terrace like fringes of stratified shingle within the valleys of the Cordillera; their marine origin. Boulders in the valley of Cachapual. Horizontal elevation of the Cordillera. Formation of valleys. Boulders moved by earthquake waves. Saline superficial deposits. Bed of nitrate of soda at Iquique. Saline incrustations. Salt lakes of La Plata and Patagonia; purity of the salt; its origin.

CHAPTER IV. ON THE FORMATIONS OF THE PAMPAS.