plutonists

Updated: June 20, 2025

The Plutonists laid great stress, too, on the observed fact that the temperature of the earth increases at a pretty constant ratio as descent towards its centre is made in mines. But in particular they appealed to the phenomena of volcanoes. The evidence from this source was gathered and elaborated by Mr.

Edward Huntington Williams - A History of Science — Volume 3

But be that as it may, the theory that subterranean heat has been instrumental in determining the condition of "primary" rocks, and in producing many other phenomena of the earth's crust, has never been in dispute since the long controversy between the Neptunists and the Plutonists led to its establishment.

Edward Huntington Williams - A History of Science — Volume 3

The brunt of the controversy settled about the unstratified rocks granites and their allies which the Plutonists claimed as of igneous origin. This contention had the theoretical support of the nebular hypothesis, then gaining ground, which supposed the earth to be a cooling globe.

Edward Huntington Williams - A History of Science — Volume 3

The followers of Werner came to be known as Neptunists; the Huttonians as Plutonists.

Edward Huntington Williams - A History of Science — Volume 3