On the Geological Structure of the Alps, Apennines and Carpathians, more especially to prove a transition from Secondary to Tertiary rocks, and the development of Eocene deposits in Southern Europe

Abstract

The numerous mineral distinctions of the various rocks composing the Alps, and their separation into more or less crystalline masses, were the chief objects of the researches of the illustrious De Saussure; and some time elapsed before it was thought possible to bring these mountains into anything like a comparison with the sedimentary deposits of other parts of Europe, the determination of which had been established by their normal order of position and their imbedded organic remains. As soon however as Brochant (1808) declared his belief, that large crystalline masses of the Central and Savoy Alps, which had previously been considered of primary age, belonged to the earlier sedimentary or transition period, a new field of research was prepared; and Dr. Buckland made a still more important step, in a very able essay, wherein he boldly synchronized, in a general manner, the so-called transition rocks of Brochant, with our secondary British types*. Stimulated by such examples, and also by the researches of Brongniart, Von Buch, E. de Beaumont, Boue, Lill von Lilienstein and others. Professor Sedgwick and myself published our views in a memoir in the Transactions of the Geological Society†, accompanied by a general geological map of the Eastern Alps. Since that period, however, much progress having been made, by applying to this chain the more accurate knowledge of the order of equivalent formations, I had the strongest desire to revisit my old ground, to compare it with those regions of the Alps formerly unexplored by me, yet rendered