Young Folks' Library, Volume XI (of 20) - Wonders of Earth, Sea and Sky by Various
page 53 of 355 (14%)
page 53 of 355 (14%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
between, telling each its history of centuries long past. In one place
no less than sixteen such beds of coal are found, one below another, each divided from the next above and the next underneath by beds of clay or sand or shale. The forests could not have grown in the sea, and the earth-layers could not have been formed on land, therefore many land-risings and sinkings must have taken place. Each bed probably tells the tale of a succession of forests.... * * * * * Before going on to a sketch of the early ages of the Earth's history--ages stretching back long long before the time of Adam--it is needful to think yet for a little longer about the manner in which that history is written, and the way in which it has to be read. For the record is one difficult to make out, and its style of expression is often dark and mysterious. There is scarcely any other volume in the great Book of Nature, which the student is so likely to misread as this one. It is very needful, therefore, to hold the conclusions of geologists with a light grasp, guarding each with a "perhaps" or a "may be." Many an imposing edifice has been built, in geology, upon a rickety foundation which has speedily given way. In all ages of the world's history up to the present day, rock-making has taken place--fire-made rocks being fashioned underground, and water-made rocks being fashioned above ground though under water. Also in all ages different kinds of rocks have been fashioned side by side--limestone in one part of the world, sandstone in another, chalk in another, clay in another, and so on. There have, it is true, been |
|