CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



PEEFACE . . . . . . . xv 



INTRODUCTION ....... 1 



Present features of the earth's surface, 1 ; Hutton's 

 theory, 1 ; Denudants and shrinkage fissures, 2 ; Meteoric 

 abrasion, 3 ; Hollows in esker gravel, 3 ; Hollows in marl, 4 ; 

 Joints, 4 ; Courses of streams, 4 ; Victoria Falls, 5 ; Valleys 

 of Suir, Barrow, and Nore, 5 ; Faults forming peaks, 6 ; 

 Faults not seen at surface, 6 ; Drift obscuring faults, 7 ; 

 Valley connected with faults and breaks, 7. 



CHAPTER I. 

 SHRINKAGE FISSURES RECENT DEPOSITS .... 9 



Cracks, joints, and[faults, 9 ; Fissure, Lough-na-Sooderry, 10; 

 Moving bog, Clara, King's County, 10 ; Slip of mountain- 

 side, Glancastle, County Mayo, 12 ; Master and minor 

 joints, 13 ; Reclaimed bog, 14 ; Slips in recent accumulations, 

 14; due to the sea, 14; due to streams and springs, 15 ; 

 Effects of placing weights on weak ground, 16. 



CHAPTER II. 



SHRINKAGE FISSURES OLDER ROCKS . . . .17 



Cracks and joints, 17 ; Moisture in rocks, 17 ; Building con- 

 tracts, 18 ; Master and minor joints, 18 ; Regular and ir- 

 regular joints, 19 ; Joints in a barrel of Roman cement, 19 ; 



