Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1879 — How the Alps Were Formed. [ARTICLE]

How the Alps Were Formed.

Prof. Judd, of.the RoyM School of Mines, LondOh.gavereoen'tly interesting explanation of the formation of the Swiss Alps. The results of geological observations he said show that four stages can be recognized in the history of these Alps. First, the existence of a line of weakness in the earth's crust nearly coincident with the line of the present mountains. This is evidenced by the fact that along this line of weakness there were volcanic outbursts, the results of which can still be traced. Secondly, there followedhtong this line of weakness a depression, and in this huge V trough” of miles in extent there were accumulated sands, limestones and clays by various forms of water agencies, and by animals living in the waters. Thirdly, there followed the consolidation of these soft and loose materials. There is evidence that the accumulation was of from six to seven miles in thickness, and the mere weight of the superincumbent material on the lower strata would have a share in effecting consolidation. But this was not all. Under this vast covering heat had led to crystallization from fusion. There was, too, the crushing in from the sides of the trough. This was illustrated by a model of the late Sir H. de la Beche, where lateral pressure was employed on layers of different colored clotn, showing how crumpling resulted, with uplifting of parte of the accumulated mass. Fourthly, there had been the sculpturing of all this into its present form, which was the work of rains and frosts. Some ojUbaexisting peaks. even 3,000 feet high, "Were composed entirely of the disintegrated material resulting from the action of the water, either as ice in glaciers or as rain and streams. The amount of material removed in this way was so stupendous it was almost staggering to try to grasp the facts. The sculpturing of the contours is still going on. This fourth stage was of quite recent date, speaking geological* ly; but the whole history involved a lapse of time which at the beginning of .this ’ century philosophers would not have been prepared to grant, even if this since-acquired knowledge of facts had been presented thepi. A man will sit still in the theater for three hours and think the play the shortest he ever saw. and yet sit as un- ' easily in his pew on Sunday as though ' he were being used for a pincushion, * and think the twenty-minute sermon the longest he ever heard.—X X Berald. , I Timi Is money, but health to happiness. If I' you have a bad oold or cough, use Dr. Bull’s | Ooqfh Byrup< It will aura you. Price,* tea