22<i REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



therefore, it is stated, it bus not, at least in many eases, resulted from 

 the decomposition of vegetable matter. 



Pages 586 to 636 of Cleaveland's first edition included an introduction 

 to the study of geology. Some of the statements here made are of 

 interest: wu Most of those extensive masses of strata," he wrote, "with 

 which geology is concerned are compound minerals, or aggregates, 

 composed of two or more simple minerals mingled in various propor- 

 tions and denominated rocks."" While thus a division into species and 

 genera may be possible with minerals, with rocks the case is quite 

 different. "It is obvious that they can not admit of distinctions 

 which are strictly specific." This observation holds good to the pres- 

 ent day. His remarks on the position of the beds of rocks were no 

 less interesting: 



When primitive rocks are stratified the strata are seldom horizontal. On the 

 contrary, they are often highly inclined and sometimes nearly or unite vertical. 

 But whether these strata were originally inclined or whether, subsequent to their 

 formation, they have been changed from a horizontal to an inclined position by the 

 action of some powerful cause, is a question on which the most distinguished geolo- 

 gists are divided in opinion. 



Again: 



It is further evident that the higher the level at which any rock appears at the 

 surface of the earth, the older is the rock; for it so declines as to pass under those 

 rocks which appear at a lower level. The only exception to this general fact appears 

 in those horizontal strata of secondary rocks which sometimes rest on the summits 

 of high mountains. 



The theory of the earth adopted by Cleaveland is apparently that of 

 Cuvier. In his discussion of the origin of rocks and geological sys- 

 tems he was for the most part a follower of Werner, though he recog- 

 nized some of the difficulties attendant upon the complete adoption of 

 the Neptunian theoiy. "Though its general outlines may be correct, 

 we are yet unable to give its details. It seems, however, to be rather 

 encumbered with difficulties than absolutely confronted by existing 

 facts. " His views regarding volcanoes were largely a reflection of those 

 advocated by his European contemporaries, and need but brief allusion. 



Many parts of the external crust of the earth are subject to the action of subter- 

 ranei ms tire. In some cases these tires are comparatively mild and produce no impor- 

 tant effects, excepting the destruction of the combustibles which feed them, and are 

 nothing more than coal mines in a state of combustion. But in other cases these 

 subterraneous tires rage with resistless impetuosity. 



Cleaveland was a graduate of Harvard in the class of 1790, and was 

 in 1805 appointed to the professorship of mathematics, natural phi- 

 losophy, chemistry, and mineralogy in Bowdoin College, Brunswick, 



Maine. He is described by his biographer (the elder 

 cieaveiand. Sillimaii) as a man of great natural ardor and activity. 



with a reputation for zeal, industry, and learning. To 

 these statements certainly no one will take exception, when the period 

 and magnitude of his work and manifold character of his professional 



