RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstracts of Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 1848-1851. CUL-DAR75.29-32. Edited by John van Wyhe (The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 5.2021, 8.2025. RN3
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR 72-75 contain Darwin's abstracts of scientific books and journals.
Geological Society of London. 1845-1882. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London vols. 1-37 and 38 (1). [CUL-DAR240: No 101 to 149 8o 1870-1882.] link
29
Journal of Geolog Soc. (1
vol. iv. p. 98 p. 140 — On Moschus intermediate between Pachyderm & Ruminants
Owen, Richard. 1848. Description of teeth and portions of jaws of two extinct Anthracotheroid Quadrupeds (Hyopotamus vectianus and Hyopbovinus) discovered by the Marchioness of Hastings in the Eocene Deposits on the N. W. coast of the Isle of Wight: with an attempt to develope Cuvier's idea of the classification of Pachyderms by the number of their toes. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 4: 103-141. PDF
p 148 Giraffe fossil in Europe & India.-
No 1
p 57 On proportion of similar & representative Chalk fossils in U. State & Europe
Lyell, Charles. 1845. Notes on the Cretaceous strata of New Jersey, and other parts of the United States bordering the Atlantic. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 55-60. PDF
58 In U. States, a procoelian crocodile; not fd. before in Europe lower than Eocene so species very common in Europe occur in U. States
Competition is at first local; but the forms which prevail over others slowly spread get acclimatized & beat others out. The competition is mundane. S. U. States & India not far from antipodal
79 Forbes on representative & identical Chalk Fossil in S. India, of 2 stages.
80 Form generally considered characteristic of Tertiary, then f in Chalk, good as illustrating Fishes — seem to have appeared earlier in force in S. India — on relation of vertical & horizontal range supported
Forbes, Edward. 1845. Report on the collection of fossils from Southern India, presented by C. J. Kaye, Esq., F.G.S., and the Rev. W. H. Egerton, F.G.S. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 79-81. PDF
100 Philippi great range of F. W. shells well shown — Bivalve range further (p. 103 do 105 107) then univalves.
p. 101 showing that commonest British shells are absent in Italy & conversely
p. 105 on relation to Red Sea, more related to Mediterranean than is Senegal.
Philippi, A. 1845. Remarks on the Molluscous animals of South Italy, in reference to the geographical extension of the Mollusca, and to the Mollusca of the Tertiary Period. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 95-111. PDF
no. 2.
p 165 Egerton from Forbes doubts the Indian beds so low in Cretacean strata
Egerton, Philip Grey. 1845. On the remains of fishes found by Mr. Kaye and Mr. Cunliffe, in the Pondicherry beds. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 164-171. PDF
p 174 S. American forms approximating to Gault
Forbes, Edward. 1845. Report on the fossils from Santa Fe de Bogota, presented to the Geological Society by Evan Hopkins, Esq. F.G.S. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 174-179. PDF
194 Forbes considers that when same mineralogical condition seen & representative forms are found — it is a true new Formation
Ibbetson, L. L. B. and Forbes, Edward. 1845. On the section between Black-Gang-Chine and Atherfield Point. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 190-197. PDF
no. 3
p. 400 Wealden Form Coleoptera, Neuroptera Orthoptera Hemiptera & Diptera existed
Brodie, Peter Bellinger. 1845. A history of fossil insects in the secondary rocks of England, accompanied by a particular account of the strata in which they occur, and of the circumstances connected with their preservation. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 399-402. PDF
no. 3
p 318 In Dicynodon, Crocodilian & Chelonian characters are interwoven on upon a Lacertain base
Owen, Richard. 1845. Description of certain fossil crania, discovered by A. G. Bain, Esq., in sandstone rocks at the South-eastern extremity of Africa, referable to different species of an extinct genus of Reptilia (Dicynodon), and indicative of a new Tribe or Sub-order of Sauria. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 318-322. PDF
no. 4.
p 418 Marine Bivalve invariably longer persistent then univalves. Lyell good. Allude to Philippi on range of do
420 on identical & representative sp. in miocene of Europe & U. States. The small proportion point out long separation of the 2 continents p. 422 on do
423 a conchologist cd recognise the American Miocene — good.
424 Isothermal took same bend in miocene age, as noted
– Miocene Mastodon; (not wonderful considering the Americ Palæotherium
442 On proportion of Eocene shells in common U. States & Europe — about same as Miocene
Lyell, Charles. 1845. On the Miocene tertiary strata of Maryland, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 413-429. PDF
x 485 Murchison in Russia — apparent passage for Devonian to Lower Silurian — great Gap —
Murchison supposes lifted on dry land p. 491 do; but is not no deposition equally probable — ask Ramsay
x 491 Murchison gives striking cases of complete change of life with no geographical or geological disturbance. This again look like great gap of time with no deposition.
Murchison, Roderick Impey. 1845. On the Palæozoic deposits of Scandinavia and the Baltic provinces of Russia, and their relations to Azoic or more ancient crystalline rocks; with an account of some great features of dislocation and metamorphism along their northern frontiers. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 467-494. PDF
554 Tchihatcheff — great difference in absence of genera in [Altai Carron] from deposit
Tchihatcheff, M. de. 1845. On the geology of the Altai Mountains. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 1: 550-555. PDF
30
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No 5 Suppl
p. 2 Philippi has found only less than 1/3 of recent shells fossil — shows recent not perfect ask Morris about recent Br[illeg]
Philippi, A. 1846. Remarks on the molluscous animals of South Italy, in reference to the Mollusca of the Tertiary period. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 2: 1-17. PDF
p. 6 rather more Gastropods are extinct than of Acephala 31 to 20 percent? This is rather doubtful in the following detailed table
p. 7 great changes of commonness in both directions
. 9 no differences in recent & fossil mollusca except size.
15 gradation in proportion of extinct species wonderful — When all are recent, proportional numbers different — as in range.
no. 6
76 Last Lava current of Auvergne cover bones of 12 genera of recent mammal species generally slightly specifically distinct
Lyell, Charles. 1846. On the age of the newest lava current of Auvergne, with remarks on some Tertiary fossils of that country. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 2: 75-80. PDF
78 Five mammalia Fauna in Auvergne
79 Case of Cardium preventing vars in successive formations
88 Bunbury on slow general resemblance of Carbonifer Flora of U. States & Europe
Bunbury, C. J. F. 1846. On some remarkable fossil ferns from Frostburg, Maryland, collected by Charles Lyell. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 2: 82-91. PDF
103 all amber organic remains more frequently show affinity to N. America
Göppert, Heinrich Robert. 1846. On amber and the organic remains found in it. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 2: 102-103. PDF
175 Coal measures of N. Scotia 14,570 thick (Horner's address)
Horner, Leonard. 1846. Anniversary address of the President. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 2: 145-221. PDF
182 Secondary rocks before Chalk very feebly developed in N. America & Russia
no. 7
p. 237 Prestwich on subsidence during Eocene Tertiary deposition p. 241 do
Prestwich, Joseph. 1846. On the Tertiary or supracretaceous formations of the Isle of Wight as exhibited in the sections at Alum Bay and White Cliff Bay. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 2: 223-259. PDF
no 8
p. 102 D'archiac & De V. several cases of palaeozoic fossil ranging vertically further in one country than other.
Murchison, Roderick Impey, Verneuil, E. de and Keyserling, Alexander. 1846. General view of the Palæozoic fauna of Russia. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 2: 97-118. PDF
Cases of Brachiopods common to 2 Formations (p 116 do)
109 Bellerophon genus increase from Silurian to Carboniferous & then suddenly become extinct.
111 Several little characters distinguish Paleozoic nautili from Secondary
x 116 Striking passage on extinction of so many genera at same time in Russia, W. Europe & America; showing not due to [carrest] &c, but the general laws
117 In Paleozoic time there were distinct geographical areas 3/4 or 3/6 peculiar to America
no 9
p 48 Chiton Silurian — Pictet makes if only Devonian
Salter, John William. 1847. Description of a fossil Chiton from the Silurian rocks, with remarks on the fossil species of the genus. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 3: 48-52. PDF
52 Elephas primigenius (2) Malta
Smith, James. 1847. Notice of the occurrence of the Elephas primigenius at Gozo, near Malta. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 3: 52. PDF
58 Oeningen Fox Galecynus tend to diminish interval between Canis & Viverra like existing Lycaon does between Dog & Hyena — The Galecynus resembles the milk teeth of dog — are Eocene Canis viverridæ of Cuvier leads the same way to connecting Canis & Viverra
Owen, Richard. 1847. On the extinct fossil Viverrine fox of Œningen, showing its specific characters and affinities to the Family Viverridæ. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 3: 55-60. PDF
no 11
p 60 (Suppl) Oeningen Coleoptera like those of Europe with some American forms. O Heer
Heer, Oswald. 1847. On the fossil insects of the tertiary formations of Oeningen and Radoboj. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 3: 60. PDF
no 12
x p. 365 Prestwich says that some species, though common to all the groups of London Clay, form in each of them distinct varieties.–
Prestwich, Joseph. 1847. On the probable age of the London clay, and its relations to the Hampshire and Paris Tertiary systems. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 3: 354-377. PDF
p 62 Pomel makes only 3 mammalian Faunas — Barrande makes 4 — p 64 Resin — Deer found in Auvergne
Pomel, A. 1847. New considerations on the palaeontology of Auvergne. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 3: 61-69. PDF
70 D'Orbigny rather showing existence of one genus of Foraminifères then gradual, then rapid increase. But Pictet is near full on subject
Hauer, Joseph de and Orbigny, Alcide Charles Victor Dessalines d'. 1847. Foraminifères fossiles du bassin Tertiaire de Vienne (Autriche), découverts par Joseph de Hauer et décrits par Alcide d'Orbigny. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 3: 69-71. PDF
31
(3 Geological Journal
no 13.
p 37 Owen on Dichodon, another Eocene mammal which once filled up interval which now almost insulates Ruminants & the few remaining even-toed Pachyderms
Owen, Richard. 1848. On the fossil remains of mammalia referable to the genus Palæotherium, and to two genera, Paloplotherium and Dichodon, hitherto undefined: from the Eocene Sand at Hordile, Hampshire. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 4: 17-42. PDF
no 14
x p 123 — gives list of fossils filling up gaps between "now widely different genera of Sus Hippopotamus, Amphibian & Camelus
Owen, Richard. 1848. Description of teeth and portions of jaws of two extinct Anthracotheroid quadrupeds (Hyopotamus vectianus and Hyopbovinus) discovered by the Marchioness of Hastings in the Eocene deposits on the N. W. coast of the Isle of Wight: with an attempt to develope Cuvier's idea of the classification of Pachyderms by the number of their toes. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 4: 103-141. PDF
129 Cuvier thought the Ruminants are of the most natural groups of Mammals — Goodsir found rudimental teeth in Ruminant upper jaw
133 In Eylus pigs, the actual number of torso-lumber vertebra does not vary
134 Kangaroo sometimes ruminate, has complex stomach.
139 Gall-bladder seem character of some importance
no 15
p. 164 Sharpe gives instances of shells which originated in N. America before Europe (is not this argument against double creation, at least for spreading
(p 158 He gives facts against D'archiac's rule of vertical range according with geographical range)
p 161 not only species but form & section of genera occur in U. States earlier than in Europe.
Sharpe, Daniel. 1847. Report on the fossil remains of Mollusca from the Palæzoic formations of the United States contained in the collection of Charles Lyell, Esq.; with remarks on the comparison of the North American formulations with those of Europe. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 4: 146-181. PDF
no 16
Crinoidea coexisted with Cystidea in lowest Silurians
Austin, Thomas. 1848. Observations on the Cystidea of M. von Buch and the Crinoidea generally. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 4: 291-294. PDF
— p. 55 Supp Meyer on Archegosaurus allied to Labyrinthodon — they are embryonic saurian with quotation from Owen-
Meyer, Herman von. 1848. The reptiles of the coal formation. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 4: 51-56. PDF
17 Suppl
p. 7 Göppert on close relation of Brown local Flora & that of U. States
Göppert, Heinrich Robert. 1849. Contributions to the flora of the Brown-coal formation. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 5: 4-7. PDF
p 12 so says Unger in apparently more ancient Miocene beds (Since separation Flora has got more distinct)
Unger, Franz. 1849. The fossil flora of Parschlug. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 5: 11-13. PDF
15 Meyer long preceded Agassiz in comparison of European Tertiaries with American Fauna
Meyer, Herman von. 1849. Palæontological notes. [From Bronn's Jahrbuch, 1848: 465.] Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 5: 13-17. PDF
19.
p 225 (& ante) Glarus & M Bolca lower Tertiary
p 227 Murchison remarks on the mummified flysch shale of the Alps as "stupendous monuments to mark the lapse of time"
x p 227 do "it being almost an established law in the distribution of organic remains that the higher the organization, the more neatly defined in its stratigraphical horizon" (very good for me Ch. 4)
p 236 Oeningen have all terrestrial & fluviatile species distinct, & marine mollusca from strata beneath in large part recent (Land production higher)
p 305 do — quote E. de Beaumont as giving up several dislocations as separating formations
304 on enormous range of nummulitic Rock of same age 25° of Lat & near 100 in longitude
Murchison, Roderick Impey. 1849. On the geological structure of the Alps, Apennines and Carpathians, more especially to prove a transition from Secondary to Tertiary rocks, and the development of Eocene deposits in Southern Europe. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 5: 157-312. PDF
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Geological Journal (4
no. 20 Suppl
x Bronn p. 10 — good remark on soft animals not preserved — only certain strata good for preservation
Roemer, Frederick. 1849. On jointed tentacles of pinnulae, composed of calc-spar, found on the abmulacral spaces of the Pentrimites. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 5: 8-11. PDF
p. 45 Summary of cases of same species in 2 formations — even of Orbigny & Agassiz admit it; 46 epochs of synchronous origin & perishing of an entire creation have never been found — good — blend into living period — more distinct in all older formations — Length of duration of species very different p. 46 Species seem to last less then one formation ie for more than [duration] of average life of species.- p 47 agrees with Forbes that some genera slowly arise & then decline, but he accepts the Silurian system, it is not usual for though they do arise quickly, they then keep constant often for long & then suddenly decline (N.B latter will ensue if other competing form rise quickly Lower genera in each class last longer than higher. p 49 direction on average of each species = 1/2 form, (∴ [square] earths number = 30 changes of sp. see Woodward ) when there are 15 of them; so that each formation implies much change & must be long; but probably broken by inside intervals — Var local another explanation — p. 50 number of species not formerly less. St Caspian more; but have not each include really many stages. This richness supports view. p 51 So Solenhofen richer, well argued out by comparison. But how are we know really contemporaneous? Whether take out of same layer it is assumption: So in other cases. p. 53
57 Bronn calculates that a million & half of species have existed, but then he does not reckon gaps.
Bronn, Heinrich Georg. 1849. Some considerations on palæontological statics, drawn up from the 'History of Nature' (Geschichte der Natur), or Index Palæontologicus. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 5: 39-58. PDF
no. 21.
x Moore. San Domingo. Miocene Form p 43 closely allied to some shells from W. S. America & 2 idenitcal — thick Isthmus of Panama must then have been open.
Moore, John Carrick. 1850. On some tertiary beds in the island of San Domingo: from Notes by J. S. Heniker, Esq., with Remarks on the Fossils. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 6: 39-53. PDF
p 25 Supple Von Buch on 2 or 3 stages of Chalk, corresponding to stages of Europe
Buch, Leopold von. 1850. On the geographical limits of the chalk formation. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 6: 22-26. PDF
no 22
x p. 116 Cape Breton 250 sqr miles probably 10 thousand feet (p. 133 at Bay of Funz 14,574 ft) 31 seams of coal wd require time — had it not been for them what chances of detecting subsidences what amount of sediment for great rivers, see to this?
Brown, Richard. 1850. Section of the lower coal-measures of the Sydney coal-field, in the island of Cape Breton. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 6: 115-133. PDF
23
p. 246 Brodie several cases of same fossil shells in two formations
Brodie, Peter Bellinger. 1850. On certain beds in the inferior oolite, near Cheltenham. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 6: 239-249. PDF
p 333, 339 Mantell on Birds bones New Zealand, having large egg shells & Dogs bones
Mantell, Gideon Algernon. 1850. Notice of the remains of Dinornis and other birds, and fossils and rock specimens, recently collected by Mr. Walter Mantell in the Middle Island of New Zealand; with additional notes on the Northern Island: With note on fossiliferous deposits in the Middle Island of New Zealand. By Prof. E. Forbes, F.R.S. &c. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 6: 319-342. PDF
p. 59 Supplement — Meyer & Goldfuss report that Archegosaurus Labyrinthodontoid & embryonic Saurian.
Meyer, Herman von. 1850. On the Archegosaurus of the coal formation. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 6: 58-59. PDF
24
p 458 Austen on Farringdon — only case in Secondary Rocks of a bank of subangular gravel — proof how rare littoral deposit at the period so long
p. 471 do says it is prevalent defect in geology in adjusting each new discovery to artificial scale of formations
475 do on blending of fossils of Cretaceous & Oolitic forms
Godwin-Austen, Robert Alfred Cloyne. 1850. On the age and position of the fossiliferous sands and gravels of Farringdon. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 6: 454-478. PDF
p. 68 Suppl Heer The insects without metamorphoses appeared first (?) p 70 Orthoptera very ancient & very similar to now 75 is very strong about lower insects having come first. 75 The older the type, so much nearer are the tertiary form to recent
Heer, Oswald. 1850. On the history of insects. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London Part II. 6: 68-76. PDF
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
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