THE GEOLOGIST 
APRIL, 1859. 
ON THE STRUCTURES PRODUCED BY THE CURRENTS 
PRESENT DURING THE DEPOSITION OF STRATIFIED 
ROCKS. 
By H. C. SoRBT, Esq., F.R.S., F.G.S., etc. 
It is now several years since I first became convinced that a diligent 
study of the various structures produced by the action of the currents 
present during the formation of stratified rocks would lead to the 
knowledge of many very valuable and remarkable facts in connexion 
with physical geology and ancient physical geography. Since then I 
have never willingly lost any opportunity of determining the direction 
and character of the currents present during the deposition of rocks 
of every age, and of accumulating information on every kind of sub- 
ject that co\ild throw light upon the inquiry. I must now have, in 
my note-books, not less than twenty thousand recorded observations, 
many of which I have not been able to make use of hitherto, for want 
of sufficient points of comparison ; and, although I am most willing 
to admit that the subject is quite in its infancy, aud that I am a 
mere student of natui-e, ready to modify my own opinions or to adopt 
others which would explain the facts in a more satisfactory manner, 
yet some of the facts are so definite and distinct, and I have verified 
them in so many localities, over sufficiently extensive districts, as to 
warrant the formation of definite conclusions. We all protest against 
theories without facts ; but to accumulate a great number of facts 
without attempting such explanations as would unite them into a 
complete and consistent whole would be not less unphilosophical. 
VOL. II. L 
