John Muir Writings

Studies in the Sierra

by John Muir

JOHN MUIR’S

Studies in the Sierra

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY WILLIAM E. COLBY
FOREWORD BY JOHN P. BUWALDA
THE SIERRA CLUB • SAN FRANCISCO • 1950

Contents

• Foreword, by John P. Buwalda [1950 edition]
• Preface, by William E. Colby [1950 edition]
• Introduction, by William E. Colby [1950 edition]
• Studies in the Sierra, by John Muir
  1. Mountain Sculpture
  2. Origin of Yosemite Valleys
  3. Ancient Glaciers and Their Pathways
  4. Glacial Denudation
  5. Post-Glacial Denudation
  6. Formation of Soils
  7. Mountain-Building

Sketches by John Muir

TO JOHN MUIR AND WILLIAM E. COLBY

No geologist today, nor chemist or physician, would venture to predict any “final” pronouncement about his science; the measure of John Muir’s total contribution to geology must therefore remain somewhat obscure—less so, perhaps, for having been gathered together here in printed form. But in a broader sense his supremacy is, and always has been, unchallenged. It is as the great public servant, the pioneer in conservation, that the Sierra Club will best remember and honor him.

Second only to Muir in this great service, and dedicated to it with equal devotion, yet over a longer period of time, is William E. Colby. In the wish to record some measure of appreciation of his half century of devotion, the Sierra Club can find no better expression than in the publication of a book which links the names of its two best-loved members.

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

DAVID R. BROWER, Chairman; ARTHUR H. BLAKE, AUGUST FRUGÉ, F. M. FRYXELL, CHARLOTTE E. MAUK, HARRIET T. PARSONS, MARION R. PARSONS, BLANCHE STALLINGS

Copyright, 1950, by the Sierra Club

Printed in the United States of America by James J. Gillick & Co.

Source: First published (in serial form) in Overland Monthly, San Francisco, 1874-1875, Vol. 12, pp. 393-403, 489-500; Vol. 13, pp. 67-79, 174-184, 393-401, 530-540; and Vol. 14, pp. 67-73. Reprinted in the Sierra Club Bulletin, Volumes 9-11 (1915-1921). Scanned and converted to HTML by Dan E. Anderson, 1998.

Bibliographic information:: Muir, John (1838-1914). Studies in the Sierra (San Francisco, Sierra Club, 1950) xxix, 103 p. illus., port. 24 cm. Introduction by William E. Colby, foreword by John P. Buwalda. Library of Congress Call Number QE79.M8. LCCN 50003238.

Copyright status: This book is in the public domain. The bulk of this book was written and published by John Muir before 1923, so is public domain. The 1950 copyright for the foreward, preface, and introduction, expired in 1978 and was not renewed, so is also public domain.