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PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY -- VOLUME 3

RELATIVE AGES OF DIFFERENT FORMATIONS

TABLE 1:  Showing the Relations of the Alluvial, Aqueous, Volcanic, and
Hypogene Formations of different ages.

TABLE 1 continued.

DIAGRAM:  Shewing the relative position which the Plutonic and Sedimentary Formations of different ages may occupy; (in illustration of TABLE I.)
No. 91.
4.  Recent Strata.
3. Tertiary Strata.
2. Secondary strata.
1. Primary strata. *
1. Primary * plutonic.
2. Secondary plutonic.
3. Tertiary Plutonic.
4. Recent plutonic.

In the above diagram an attempt is made to shew the inverted order in which the sedimentary and plutonic formations may occur in the earth's crust; subterposition in the plutonic, like superposition in the sedimentary rocks, being for the most part characteristic of a newer age. By aid of this illustration, and what we have said in Chap. 25 and 26, the reader will comprehend why so large a portion of the plutonic rocks of later periods are concealed, and why the more ancient of this class have risen nearest to the surface, so as to have been denuded in some regions and exposed to view.

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* The primary formations here mentioned are those, whether stratified or unstratified, which are older than the carboniferous deposits.

TABLE II. Showing the Order of Superposition, or Chronological Succession, of the principal Sedimentary Deposits or Groups of
Strata in Europe.

This Table is referred to in the Glossary, and includes the Secondary Formations alluded to in this Work, but not described in detail.

TABLE II. continued.

TABLE II. continued.

TABLE II. continued.

TABLE II. continued.

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