Lyell's “Antiquity of Man”

Abstract

SINCE the first volume of “The Principles of Geology” appeared—now more than forty-three years ago—Sir Charles Lyell has put forth an uninterrupted series of new works or new editions, and we have now arrived at the 11th edition of the “Principles,” the 7th of the “Elements of Geology,” and the 4th of the “Antiquity of Man.” A most striking feature of these works is, that they give the fullest and most accurate scientific details, and the most philosophical discussion of principles and results, without for a single page ceasing to be interesting to any well educated and thoughtful man. Perhaps no author has attained in so perfect a degree the art of making science popular without ever attempting to popularise it, or has produced a series of works which are equally acceptable to the experienced geologist and to the general reader. The Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man, with an Outline of Glacial and Post Tertiary Geology, and Remarks on the Origin of Species, with special reference to Man's First Appearance on the Earth. By Sir Charles Lyell Fourth Edition Revised. Illustrated with Woodcuts. (London: John Murray, 1873.)