766 



GEOLOGY. 



CHAPTER XII. 



ALLUVIUM. RECENT FORMATIONS. 





THE term diluvium, applied to the great col- 

 lections of gravel and detached blocks, from 

 the idea that they originated with the historic 

 deluge, is still retained in such a connection, 

 because those accumulations indicate the ex- 

 traordinary action of water, either in the 

 form of strong oceanic currents, while the 

 localities were in a state of submergence, or 

 of waves of translation overspreading the 

 land, produced by submarine disturbance, or 

 torrents proceeding from rapidly-melting gla- 

 ciers. On the other hand, the term alluvium 

 is used to denote those formations of the mo- 

 dern and current epoch which result from the 

 ordinary action of water ; and, etymologically, it can only be properly employed in rela- 

 tion to aqueous products. But its more comprehensive application is sanctioned by usage, 



Cyclopean Remains, Mycene 



Plains of Man tinea in Arcadia. 



