Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Preface vii
4. Translators’ Note xi
5. Introduction: Buffon and the History of the Earth xiii
6. THE EPOCHS OF NATURE
7. First Discourse 3
8. First Epoch. When the Earth and the Planets Took Their Form 23
9. Second Epoch. When Matter, Being Consolidated, Formed the Interior Rock of the Globe and the Great Vitrescible Masses That Are at Its Surface 39
10. Third Epoch. When the Waters Covered Our Continents 51
11. Fourth Epoch. When the Waters Retreated and the Volcanoes Became Active 69
12. Fifth Epoch. When the Elephants and the Other Animals of the South Lived in the North 87
13. Sixth Epoch. When the Separation of Continents Was Made 101
14. Seventh and Last Epoch. When the Power of Man Has Assisted That of Nature 119
15. Justifying Notes to the Facts Reported in the Epochs of Nature 133
16. Index 179