Chapter II

THEORY OF DENUDATION ILLUSTRATED BY FACTS.

Principle of Reasoning common to all the Physical Sciences--This
Principle applicable to Geology--Carbonic Acid an Agent of
Denudation--Vast Quantity of Lime dissolved by the Waters of
the Rhine and borne away to the German Ocean--Disintegration
of Rocks by Frost--Professor Tyndall on the Matterhorn--Running
Water--its Erosive Power--an active and unceasing Agent
of Denudation--Mineral Sediment carried out to Sea by the
Ganges and other great Rivers--Solid Rocks undermined and
worn away--Falls of the Clyde at Lanark--Excavating Power
of Rivers in Auvergne and Sicily--Falls of Niagara--Transporting
Power of Running Water--Floods in Scotland--Inundation
in the Valley of Bagnes in Switzerland, 47