THE 



EDINBURGH NEW 

 PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. 



Remarks on the Formation of Alluvial Deposites. By James 

 Yates, M.A. F. L.S. and F.G.S.* Communicated by the 

 Author. 



Although the formation of alluvium seems to have been very 

 commonly regarded by geologists as a branch of their science 

 too simple and elementary to be worthy of minute attention, 

 yet in some respects it appears to claim a more exact study than 

 any other class of geological appearances. As we can only in- 

 fer the past history of our globe from our knowledge of the 

 powers which are now in operation, alluvial deposites must be 

 regarded as the proper index to guide our conclusions respect- 

 ing the origin of analogous but more ancient strata. In another 

 point of view they are also extremely interesting. By the cur- 

 sory observer, storms, torrents, and inundations are regarded in 

 no other light than as the agents of ruin and desolation : where- 

 as, if their effects be duly examined, they will be found to be 

 the very processes, by which the most barren rocks and inac- 

 cessible mountains are converted into scenes of fruitfulness, 

 beauty, and animation. The Aiguilles of the Alps in their un- 

 disturbed position, can scarcely sustain the life of a moss or an 

 insect. By a succession of changes, which will be described in 

 this paper, ihey are converted into the finest soil, removed into 

 cultivated regions, and made to support every conceivable form 



" Read before the Geological Society of London in November 18.30. 

 APRIL — JLXE 1831. A 



