There is only one mention of loess in the 'Origin of Species'. It contains an interesting assumption and an interesting deduction:
"We have evidence in the loess of the Rhine of considerable changes of level in the land within a very recent geological period, and when the surface was peopled by existing land and fresh-water shells."
Darwin deploys Lyell's hypothesis for the formation of the Rhine loess. The Lyell idea would not be replaced until around 1890 when the Aeolian theory became dominant.
"We have evidence in the loess of the Rhine of considerable changes of level in the land within a very recent geological period, and when the surface was peopled by existing land and fresh-water shells."
Darwin deploys Lyell's hypothesis for the formation of the Rhine loess. The Lyell idea would not be replaced until around 1890 when the Aeolian theory became dominant.
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