(continued)
This part of historical geology is called Paleontology, the history of extinct species preserved as fossils. Paleontology is a vast science in itself and naturally divides into two parts, one treating of extinct plants, the other of extinct animals. It may be looked on as simply the botany and zoology of long past ages; and, as would be expected, throws much light on the line of descent of modern species and the causes of the present distribution of species. Finally geological processes culminate in physical geography which describes the present arrangement of the oceans and continents with their elevation and depressions and all the different physical features that give such variety and beauty to our earth and that have so powerfully influenced political geography and the welfare of nations.

A.P. Coleman, "Circle of the Sciences Part III," Chataquan. A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Promotion of True Culture.
Vol. 9, No. 3 (December 1889):138 - 140