Principles of geology, Bind 3

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Side 179 - In bigness to surpass earth's giant sons, Now less than smallest dwarfs in narrow room Throng numberless...
Side 151 - ... and I am told that the wild bee is seldom to be met with at any great distance from the frontier. They have been the heralds of civilization...
Side 83 - The intermixture of distinct species is guarded against by the aversion of the individuals composing them to sexual union, or by the sterility of the mule offspring. It does not appear that true hybrid races have ever been perpetuated for several generations, even by the assistance of man ; for the cases usually cited relate to the crossing of mules with individuals of pure species, and not to the intermixture of hybrid with hybrid.
Side 377 - Even before the trees form a wood, the real sea-birds nestle here; strayed landbirds take refuge in the bushes; and at a much later period, when the work has been long since completed, man also appears, builds his hut on the fruitful soil formed by the corruption of the leaves of the trees, and calls himself lord and proprietor of this new creation.
Side 268 - In a warm climate such decayed timber would immediately be removed by insects, or by putrefaction ; but, in the cold temperature now prevailing in our latitudes, many examples are recorded of marshes originating in this source. Thus, in Mar forest, in Aberdeenshire, large trunks of Scotch fir, which had fallen from age and decay, were soon immured in peat formed partly out of their perishing leaves and branches, and in part from the growth of other plants. We also learn that the overthrow of a forest...
Side 26 - Henceforth his speculations know no definite bounds ; he gives the rein to conjecture, and fancies that the outward form, internal structure, instinctive faculties, nay, that reason itself, may have been gradually developed from some of the simplest states of existence, — that all animals, that man himself, and the irrational beings, may have had one common origin ; that all may be parts of one continuous and progressive scheme of development...
Side 406 - ... which is revealed to us by the microscope. We are prepared, therefore, to find that in time also the confines of the universe lie beyond the reach of mortal ken. But in whatever direction we pursue our researches, whether in time or space, we discover everywhere the clear proofs of a Creative Intelligence, and of His foresight, wisdom, and power.
Side 71 - In the universal struggle for existence, the right of the strongest eventually prevails ; and the strength and durability of a race depends mainly on its prolificness, in which hybrids are acknowledged to be deficient.
Side 265 - ... palustre) constitutes a considerable part of the peat found in marshes of the north of Europe ; this plant having the property of throwing up new shoots in its upper part, while its lower extremities are decaying. Reeds, rushes, and other aquatic plants may usually be traced in peat, and their organization is often so entire, that there is no difficulty in discriminating the distinct species.
Side 272 - In June, 1747, the body of a woman was found six feet deep, in a peatmoor in the Isle of Axholm, in Lincolnshire. The antique sandals on her feet afforded evidence of her having been buried there for many ages ; yet her nails, hair, and skin, are described as having shown hardly any marks of decay.

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