From:
Charles Lyell, 1st baronet
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
2 Nov 1869
Source of text:
The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Gen.113.ff.3734–3737)
Summary:
Comments on Huxley’s address ["Geological reform", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): xxxviii–liii].
Physicists have ignored variation in sea-level in calculating effects.
Doubts if sun only source of heat.
Notes average depth of sea is 15 times height of land.
Criticises CD’s concept of permanent continents.
Sedimentary strata of Alleghenies must have derived from continent located where Atlantic is. Thinks enormous amount of denudation, submergence, and elevation may have accompanied relatively insignificant organic changes.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project