GEOLOGY, N. The Science Of The Earth's Crust -- To Which, Doubtless,
Will Be Added That Of Its Interior Whenever A Man Shall Come Up
Garrulous Out Of A Well.
GEOLOGY, n. The science of the earth's crust -- to which, doubtless,
will be added that of its interior whenever a man shall come up
garrulous out of a well. The geological formations of the globe
already noted are catalogued thus: The Primary, or lower one,
consists of rocks, bones or mired mules, gas-pipes, miners' tools,
antique statues minus the nose, Spanish doubloons and ancestors. The
Secondary is largely made up of red worms and moles. The Tertiary
comprises railway tracks, patent pavements, grass, snakes, mouldy
boots, beer bottles, tomato cans, intoxicated citizens, garbage,
anarchists, snap-dogs and fools.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"