Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- PREFACE
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAP. I Religious Aspect of the Question
- CHAP. II Description of the Solar System
- CHAP. III The Geological Condition of the Earth
- CHAP. IV Analogy between the Earth and the other Planets
- CHAP. V The Sun, Moon, Satellites, and Asteroids
- CHAP. VI The Motion of the Solar System round a distant Centre
- CHAP. VII Religious Difficulties
- CHAP. VIII Single Stars and Binary Systems
- CHAP. IX Clusters of Stars and Nebulæ
- CHAP. X General Summary
- CHAP. XI Reply to Objections drawn from Geology
- CHAP. XII Objections from the Nature of Nebulæ
- CHAP. XIII Objections from the Nature of the Fixed Stars and Binary Systems
- CHAP. XIV Objections from the Nature of the Planets
- CHAP. XV The Future of the Universe
CHAP. III - The Geological Condition of the Earth
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 August 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- PREFACE
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAP. I Religious Aspect of the Question
- CHAP. II Description of the Solar System
- CHAP. III The Geological Condition of the Earth
- CHAP. IV Analogy between the Earth and the other Planets
- CHAP. V The Sun, Moon, Satellites, and Asteroids
- CHAP. VI The Motion of the Solar System round a distant Centre
- CHAP. VII Religious Difficulties
- CHAP. VIII Single Stars and Binary Systems
- CHAP. IX Clusters of Stars and Nebulæ
- CHAP. X General Summary
- CHAP. XI Reply to Objections drawn from Geology
- CHAP. XII Objections from the Nature of Nebulæ
- CHAP. XIII Objections from the Nature of the Fixed Stars and Binary Systems
- CHAP. XIV Objections from the Nature of the Planets
- CHAP. XV The Future of the Universe
Summary
In the preceding brief description of the Solar system, we see distinctly the relation which our own Earth bears to the other planets, in its position, its form, its magnitude, its satellite, and its daily and annual motions. But though a comparison of these properties of the earth, which constitute what may be called its astronomical condition, with the analogous properties of the other planets, might entitle us to ascribe to them other functions,—the function, for example, of supporting inhabitants, which the earth only is known to possess, yet our argument will derive new strength, and we shall be prepared to meet recent objections, by taking into consideration the geological structure of the earth, and the properties of its atmosphere, and by endeavouring to read its past history in the successive steps by which it has been prepared as a residence for the human family.
The earth, as we have seen, when merely examined by the eye, consists of land and water. The land is composed of soils of various kinds, and of stones and rocks of different characters. It is formed into extensive plains, into valleys excavated apparently by rivers or water-courses, and into mountain groups and mountain ranges, rising to the height of several miles above the bed of the ocean.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- More Worlds Than OneThe Creed of the Philosopher and the Hope of the Christian, pp. 37 - 54Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009