Principes de Géologie Transformiste Eléments de Géologic et de Paléontologie

Abstract

THESE two recent French publications connected with Geology we propose to notice briefly together. In M. Dolfuss's earnest and suggestive little book another proof is given of the way in which the views of the Evolution School are permeating the minds of the rising generation of students in every branch of Science. If we may judge of the author from a perusal of his work, he is an enthusiastic palæontologist who, drinking at the fountains of Darwinism, seeing clearly enough the tendency of modern thought, and full of dreams about the great future of his favourite science, has with the eagerness of a neophyte rushed forward to preach the creed which he so firmly believes. Whether or not this surmise be a true one, the book has much of the earnestness, ambition, vagueness, and inexperience of an early literary venture of an aspirant to fame. The real downright earnestness of the writer is one of the best features of the book. But we imagine that this quality would not have been impaired by a little delay in publication. The historical summary shows how limited is the author's range of reading. He speaks, for example, of Hutton having attributed everything in geology to the action of fire—an utter misconception and misstatement of the doctrines of the great philosopher.

Principes de Géologie Transformiste.

Par Gustave Dolfuss. (Paris, Savoy, 1874.)

Eléments de Géologic et de Paléontologie.

Par Ch. Contjean. (Paris, Baillière et Fils,)