[36 Great Marlborough Street]
–
–
Your referee is of opinion that the abstract in the Proceedings is sufficient to call
the attention of Geologists to Mr Austen's views concerning the
origin of the limestone of Devonshire. The principal facts, on
which his views are grounded are there given,—namely the high inclination of
the beds over a large area, & the presence of similar organic remains througout
their entire thickness.— A paper of this nature, if it be not accompanied by
detailed sections, & if great care be not evident in guarding against
sources of error,—which is not here shown, for instance in the absence of all
allusion to the possibility that the present flat surfaces of the limestone may have
been caused by denudation, instead of being the effect of a coral-reef having reached
the surface of the water,—a paper not thus accompanied, your referee thinks is
not worthy of a place in the Transactions.—
Charles Darwin
September 7th
1838.
