Georges Cuvier, Fossil Bones, and Geological Catastrophes: New Translations and Interpretations of the Primary Texts

320 Pages·1997·16.849 MB·English

by  Martin J.S. Rudwick

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GEORGES C U V I E R , FOSSIL B O N E S , A N D
GEOLOGICAL CATASTROPHES
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G E O R G E S C U V I E R ,
F O S S I L B O N E S ,
a n d G E O L O G I C A L
C A T A S T R O P H E S
New Translations & Interpretations
of the Primary Texts
M A R T I NJ . S. R U D W I C K
The University of Chicago Press e Chicago and London
MARTIN J. s. RUDWICK is professor of history in the Science Studies
Program at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author
of The Meaning of Fossils, The Great Devonian Controversy
and Scenesfiom Deep Time, all published by the
University of Chicago Press.
The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637
The University of Chicago Press, Lrd., London
0 1997 by The University of Chicago
All rights reserved. Published 1997
Printed in the United States of America
06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 98 97 5 4 3 2 I
ISBN (CLOTH): 0-226-73106-5
Library Congress Cataloging-in-Publication
of Data
Rudwick, M.J.S.
Georges Cuvier, fossil bones, and geological catastrophes: new translations
and interpretations of the primary texts / Martin J. S. Rudwick
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-226-73106-5 (acid-free paper)
I. Mammals, Fossil. 2. Catastrophes (Geology) 3. Geology-
History-18th century. I. Cuvier, Georges, baron, 1769 - 1832.
Essays. English. Selections. 11. Title.
QE88I.R83 1997
569 -d c21 97-15628
CIP
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of the
American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for
Printed Library Materials, ANSI 239.48-1984.
In memory of William Coleman
(1934 4988)
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C O N T E N T S
Preface and Acknowkdgments k
Notes on the Texts xu
I. The Theory of the Earth I
2. Living and Fossil Elephants 13
3. The Megatherium from South America 25
4. A Research Program on Fossil Bones 33
5. An Appeal for International Collaboration 42
6. The Animals from the Gypsum Beds around Paris 59
7. A Pouched Marsupial from Paris 68
8. Popular Lectures on Geology 74
9. A Review of Fossil Pachyderms 89
10. A Report on Andre’s Theory of the Earth 98
11. The Progress of Geological Science 112
12. The Geology of the Region around Paris 127
13. Fossil Deer and Cattle 157
Collected Researches on Fossil Bones 165
14.
15. The Revolutions of the Globe 173
16. Conclusions 253
Further Reading 269
Bibliography of Cuvierj Sources 273
Bibliography of Works by Historians of Science 283
Appendix: French Texts of Previously Unpublished Manuscripts 285
Sourcesfor Figures 293
Index 295