New-York tribune., 1902-05-26

Rerv-ick .Tavy, and Arthur's Seat are illustra-
tions Of the former type of operation. SklddaW'
Snowdon and other mountains of Wales are OF
volcanic origin The most famous dixie IN
England in a west-northwesterly dlrecuoh
up near the Scottish border. It's length there Is
ninety miles, but If another one north OF the
Solway be regarded as an extension OF the nrst
the crevice which has been filed with basalt is
100 miles long The thickness varies from
twenty 10 nine hundred feet, and its depth Is
estimated at seventeen thousand feet.
II the sea has not denuded the general sur
face of the land at least il has been free TO
attack the coast. Where this was low and SOFT
the tides and waves would carve out bays ana
where the shore was high and hard a headland
would be left. Inequalities in resisting power
have led TO the production of colossal arches
pillars and other fantastic shapes. The Needles,
near the Isle of Wight, are great stacks OF
chalk somewhat resembling, but less wonderful
than the basaltic columns that constitute the
Giants Causeway in Ireland and line Fingals
Cave in Scotland.
Although Lord Avebury processes 10 deal only
with the influences which have made Enghsh
scenery what 1t is, his studies of them possess
more than a local interest. Those forces nave
been at work the world over. Moreover ne mas
found in them the charm which observation Oh
flowers and insects has exercised over him IN
The region discussed by Mr.. Hogarth is desig-
mated The Nearer East" to distinguish it from
the greater Orient to which it is a gateway.
1t extends from Western Persia to the Adriatic
Sea- and from the Caspian, Black Sea and
Danube to the Upper Nile Continuous and
comparatively compact in form as is this area,
it represents wonderful differences in climate,
scenery fertility and population. Its greatest
claim popular interest, without question: is
the fact that the highest civilization the world
ever knew had its dawn there. Chaldea, Pales-
tine. Egypt and Greece are inseparably asso-
cated with the most perfect conceptions OF art
and religion that man has ever enjoyed.
vastly inferior but present charm is derived
from the material products of the countries
adjacent 10 the eastern Mediterranean From
them are obtained the choicest figs and dates,
tobacco that is unrivalled in the Occdent the
purest marble and rugs innumerable. Again.
one OF the worlds great highways, the Suez
Canal. runs through the Nearer East The po-
litical and commercial phases Of that crcum-
stance appeal more strongly to Europeans than
Americans. however Mr. Hogarth has put a
deal Of research into his work but the result is
not fascinating 10 people this side of the
Atlantic to those the other
Though Won Zittel writes FOR the technical
rather than the popular reader his book will
prove an exceedingly NdludDle contribution 10
the literature of geology. After an elaborate
introduction, he takes up the chief branches of
the science separately-rock composition. the
forces which have acted upon the crust OF the
earth from above and below, the revelations of
fossils and the classification of strata. The
progress Of discovery and the development
carefully traced. Special effort is made TO give
proper credit TO the who have been
spicuously engaged therein. Americans Will
note with pleasure the references TO Dana, the
two Agasszes. Gilbert Powell Marsh, Cope.
Leidy and dozens of others who have been
identified with geology and paleontology in this
country. The author summarizes recent well
as earlier work, and brings his story down TO
date. So extended a record must necessarily be
condensed but ii will be found very convenient
for reference. Indeed, good deal of scattered
material which might not be accessible other
wise without the expenditure OF much trouble
is here made available.