Preface
Translators’ Note
Introduction: Buffon and the History of the Earth
Jan Zalasiewicz, Sverker Sörlin, Libby Robin, and Jacques Grinevald
The Epochs of Nature
First Discourse
First Epoch When the Earth and the Planets Took Their Form
Second Epoch When Matter, Being Consolidated, Formed the Interior Rock of the Globe and the Great Vitrescible Masses That Are at Its Surface
Third Epoch When the Waters Covered Our Continents
Fourth Epoch When the Waters Retreated and the Volcanoes Became Active
Fifth Epoch When the Elephants and the Other Animals of the South Lived in the North
Sixth Epoch When the Separation of Continents Was Made
Seventh and Last Epoch When the Power of Man Has Assisted That of Nature
Justifying Notes to the Facts Reported in the
Epochs of Nature
Notes on the First Discourse
Notes on the First Epoch
Notes on the Second Epoch
Notes on the Third Epoch
Notes on the Fifth Epoch
Notes on the Sixth Epoch
Notes on the Seventh Epoch
Index