RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1837-1839. Excised page from Notebook A: Geology. CUL-DAR42.39-43. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: First transcribed by Kees Rookmaaker and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2009. Text prepared by Christine Chua 1.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=text&itemID=CUL-DAR127.-&pageseq=1

Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR42 contains notes for Darwin's book South America (1846).


41

The fact of Galapagos isld steep side to windward in allusion to St Helena

Discussion

45

NB Sedgwick talks of laminated structure (∴ separation of ingredients) as uniting with cretionary – it may come of use in discussion on Cleavage &c

Geolog Transacts Vol III p. I p. 86 & p 95

47

Veins in septaria a kind of concretionary process (analogous to layers of quartz & feldspar) within other concretion.

State last page this point of attempted crystallization & therefore as a consequence aggregated (I suppose the same force which draws together two particles of carb of Lime tend to crystallize them as seen in stalactite). – some force crystallizes minerals in layer & therefore aggregates them in layer.

42

on Direction of mountains in Brazil L' Institut no 221

46

It is easy to prove (pyrites agates, cinerous balls) that concretions are connected with a crystalline process. – Now cleavage as suggested by Sir J. Herschel is all crystals obeying own laws of crystallization therefore concretions in this case laminar, hence these thick wedges of feldspar in gneiss

48

So that layer of feldspar is gneiss is identical with layer of flint or cal.: sandstone (& as I believe most strata) (Hence endless passages from gneiss to granite): Why not horizontal? Why have particle in such case moved down laterally than vertically, in concretions more vertically than laterally. – In area of this [sketches]

If surface covered with oil should shrink, film parallel to longer axis. But if great depth

49

NB. Prof Sedgwicks lamination parallel to stratification evidently small scale of concretionary action all fluid at once, the films vertical

Ascertain law of alternation of particles of same nature: then get mathematician to when two particles are aggregated would they not attract strong, a third - & this would make layers. – (gravity can have no effect on particles of equal weight)

? cleavage not vertical ∴ combined with gravity.

51

layer!!!!

The separation in the Ponza case of Scrope parallel to walls of dykes – mem. laminated dikes in Cordillera!!!

[annotated diagram]

In stratum OP let force dray particles to line A B & likewise gravity M, N. Then every particle would tend to meet at [3 lines crossed]

53

which last in strong character – A discussion on concretions and cleavage conjoined very good – It is the key to the story. – consider stalactites – agate rings crystallization transverse or rather radiating to central point can cleavage be radiation from some grand centre. –

A stalactite of gypsum is the best case of cleavage

50

Lava changes in dip of no sort of consequence. – Therefore L° of inclination becomes measure of force. [insertion:] varies with chemical [2 words illeg]

where little inclination with force & varying direction – Therefore in pile of mud from Trapiches inclined

52

on the diagonal of BK. – This is not applicable, it does not explain cleavage of rock – nor the Falkland case nor the arrangement of particles of granite in Henslow's grit, yet it is worth consideration especially effect of gravity versus some fault explaining vary dry & inclination. –

54

Lardner Encyclop

Phillips (113) absolutely considers gneiss are aqua deposit resulting from disintegrated granite!!! Look at gneiss of Rio

Concretions in Pumice bed at Ascension instance of hollow concretion & concretion filled with unconsolidated matter

83

effect, a tendency direct (or oblique) outwards may be granted independent of currents, mud giving out can actually be seen.

{The preservation of dikes & ledges of first rate importance in showing not subaqueous removal - ???

the difficulty of such preservation certainly is lessened.

Coral flats argument for Heaping up. – very good this will show effects. – analogous to broad flat sand beach. – De la Beche argument of low coast gaining & high loosing answered by this [sketch] – No one can doubt. A-B once formed low coast.


Return to homepage

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 25 September, 2022