405 
EE VIEWS. 
LYELL’S PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY.* 
T HE second volume of our greatest geological masterpiece has appeared. 
It is now in its eleventh edition, and it is, as it has been since its first 
appearance, unquestionably the largest, fullest, and most interesting work 
upon the principles of geological science which the world has produced. It 
is marvellous how an author who has been so long before the public is 
withal so ready to acknowledge himself mistaken whenever clearly estab- 
lished evidence is brought before him. And this we consider the greatest 
feature in Sir Charles Lyell’s character ; for we have not to travel far to 
find other masters, in their peculiar department, who have their ideas as 
firmly fixed now as they were when first they appeared upon the literary 
world. But the author of the splendid volume before us is not of that 
class. On the contrary, we find in this volume that he has considered all 
that has been written since the last edition was published, and that he has 
in every case dealt in the fairest manner, even with antagonists whose 
rivalry is unquestionable. In this volume the subject of volcanoes forms 
the contents of the first couple of chapters. Then follows earthquakes, 
dealing with those of the present and past centuries. Next in order we are 
treated to the elevation and subsidence of land without earthquakes ; and, 
lastly, to the cause of earthquakes and volcanoes. This completes Book II., 
and it leads us on to the most interesting as well as most novel portion of 
the present volume, that which deals with the changes of the organic 
world which are now in progress. Under this general heading we find about 
four hundred pages devoted to the following highly interesting subjects : — 
Lamarck, on the transmutation of species ; theories as to the nature 
of species and Darwin’s views ; variation of plants and animals under 
domestication, viewed as bearing on the origin of species ; natural selection ; 
the geographical distribution of species ; the migration and diffusion of ter- 
restrial animals; insular floras and faunas, considered with reference to 
the origin of species ; extinction of species ; man, considered with refer- 
ence to his origin and geographical distribution ; and, lastly, the en- 
* “ Principles of Geology ; or, the Modern Changes of the Earth and its 
Inhabitants, considered as illustrative of Geology.” By Sir Charles Lyell, 
Bart., M.A., F.R.S. Eleventh edition. Yol. II. London : John Murrav, ' 
1872. 
