Part of Collection

Title

Notebook No.144

Creators/Contributors

Rights

Out of Copyright. Free use.

Collection

Papers of Sir Charles Lyell

Production Date

13 May 1846 - 26 May 1846

Shelfmark (Identifier)

Coll-203/A1/144

Catalogue Record

https://archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories/2/archival_objects/180302

Subjects

• Saratoga (N.Y. : Town)
• Basilosaurus
• Ichthyosaurus
• silurian
• Gneiss
• Cockburn Geological Museum
• Mosquitoes
• Mastodon

Description

This Notebook contains a record of Charles Lyell’s visit to the United States of America (commenced in Notebook 121) recording his visit to New York and surrounding areas, focusing on Albany, Vermont, Saratoga, Syracuse, New Orleans, Long Island, and Mobile. This notebook has detailed notes of geological features, flora and fauna, political discussions, religion, anti-Irish, anti-American, and anti-English issues, as well as recording detailed evidence of the political state of slaves, and tensions with bordering areas of America. Lyell mentions many geological findings and fossils like the Gnathodon, Zeuglodon, Ichthyosaur, and especially, sea-serpents. The sea-serpents are mentioned often in this notebook with many individuals contributing to the notes on them. Lyell speaks with key individuals like James Hall (Palaeontologist), Ebenezer Emmons (Geologist), Rev. Orvile Dewey (Unitarian Minister), and Alonzo Potter (Episcopal Bishop) as well as information on the workings of publishing companies in America and UK; Harpers, Wiley & Putnam, and Little & Brown Co. This notebook is a light brown colour and written in ink and pencil. The index is located in the end of the notebook from page 93 and is seven pages long.

Language

• English