Author
John Ball
1818-1889
John Ball (1818-1889) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by John Ball
Notes of a naturalist in South America
"Notes of a Naturalist in South America" by John Ball is a scientific travelogue written in the late 19th century. In this engaging narrative, the author recounts his voyage across South America, documenting not only the diverse flora and fauna he encounters but also reflecting on the social and political landscape of the places he visits. His observations provide valuable insights into the natural history and climate variations of the continent. The opening of the work sets the stage for Ball's journey, detailing the excitement and anticipation of embarking on an adventure across the Atlantic. He vividly describes his experiences aboard the ship, from the arrival at tropical islands like Barbados to the encounters with oceanic phenomena such as flying fish. As he approaches the lush jungles and unique ecosystems of South America, his reflections on the geography and meteorology prepare the reader for the exploration of a rich and diverse natural world that Ball aims to capture throughout his travels. The detailed observations in these early chapters foreshadow the fascinating discoveries and the thought-provoking discussions on the interplay between nature and humanity that will follow.
The geography and geology of south-eastern Egypt
"The Geography and Geology of South-Eastern Egypt" by John Ball is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work provides a detailed and systematic account of the geography and geology of South-Eastern Egypt, focusing on areas that are both mountainous and less commonly explored. The text is based on surveys conducted by the author under the Egyptian Government from 1905 to 1908, aiming to document and share valuable geographical data in light of prior scattered literature. The opening of this work introduces the vast, rugged, and relatively unexplored region of South-Eastern Egypt, situating it between the Nile and the Red Sea. John Ball outlines the context of previous literature regarding the area and highlights the need for systematic study, noting that essential geographical features such as drainage lines and water sources are crucial for understanding the landscape. The introductory chapter serves as a foundation for the subsequent detailed exploration of the region’s natural characteristics, including landforms, geology, and the cultural aspects related to the local Bedouin tribes. Overall, Ball sets the stage for an in-depth investigation into a region that presents both challenges and richness in geological diversity.
Baharia Oasis : $b Its topography and geology
"Baharia Oasis: Its Topography and Geology" by John Ball and H. J. L. Beadnell is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work presents an in-depth exploration of the Baharia Oasis, detailing its geological features, topography, and the history of previous surveys conducted in the region. This book is likely of interest to readers in geology, geography, and those studying the natural history of Egypt. The opening of the book introduces the Baharia Oasis, highlighting its unique topographical features, such as being entirely surrounded by escarpments and containing numerous isolated hills. The authors describe their joint geological survey expedition conducted in 1897, which aimed to map the region and investigate its resources. They provide a brief history of the oasis's human habitation and previous explorations, detailing important archaeological findings and the early European travelers' accounts. The introduction sets the tone for a detailed examination of the area's geography, geology, and historical significance.
Problems of the Libyan Desert
"Problems of the Libyan Desert" by John Ball is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. It synthesizes exploration, surveying, and geology to explain the Libyan Desert’s great depressions, artesian waters, dunes, and rumored “lost” oases, while evaluating whether basins like Qattara and Wadi Rayan could be harnessed for irrigation, drainage, or power. The work also challenges persistent myths—most notably that a former Nile branch crossed the western desert—by using new contour mapping and hydrological reasoning. The opening of the work lays out a dozen central questions about the region and explains how recent triangulation and improved barometric leveling enabled a first, provisional contoured map. It lists a chain of sub‑sea‑level basins culminating in the vast, newly confirmed Qattara Depression, outlines the major escarpments and highlands (Gilf Kebir, Oweinat, Kissu), and uses these data to dismiss the old “dry river” idea of a Nile branch to the Mediterranean. The author attributes the depressions chiefly to wind erosion acting on soft strata breached through structural weaknesses, illustrating a subtle deepening mechanism observed in coastal “bosom” basins, and then weighs engineering schemes: Wadi Rayan as a sump looks plausible, while a Qattara sea and hydropower face prohibitive topography and cost. He traces the artesian system to the Erdi–Ennedi highlands, derives static water‑level contours from wells and lakes, explains the persistence of desert lakes via underground inflow, and notes the Nile’s capture of warm artesian water near Dakka. From these contours he rejects deep coastal artesian wells, warns that well interference and external drains may lower oasis heads, and begins to test traditions about “Zerzura” against the new topographic and hydrologic evidence.