1 66 LOUTS AGASSIZ. [CHAP. vii. 



Geikie, Vol. I., p. 309. The reproduction by Archibald 

 Geikie is not, however, a complete one ; all the devices 

 and explanations written on the big roller of maps and 

 under the scratched stones have been omitted, and even 

 the title of the semi-caricature has been altered. It is 

 easy to see the reasons for these suppressions and alter- 

 ations. The mining engineer, Thomas Sopwith, has 

 stated the objections made against the glacial theory in 

 such childish and ridiculous words, that to repeat them 

 was considered by Geikie as reflecting little credit on all 

 those who made fun of the glacial epoch, with Murchi- 

 son as their leader. 1 



1 Here is the exact description of the semi-caricature. Buckland, 

 equipped as a glacialist, stands on a flat bit of rock covered with scratches, 

 with the following explanation : " The rectilinear course of these grooves 

 corresponds with the motions of an immense body, the momentum of which 

 does not allow it to change its course upon slight resistance." On the 

 polished rocks is written : " Prodigious glacial scratches"; and in order to 

 add to the value of the opposition made by anti-glacialists, the author has 

 engraved, just under the last sentence, " Scratched by T. Sopwith." The 

 title of the drawing is : " COSTUME OF THE GLACIERS." Under his right 

 arm Buckland holds a rather large and long roller, with the inscription on 

 it : " Maps of ancient glaciers." At his feet, on his right side, are drawn : 

 " Specimen No. I, scratched by a glacier thirty-three thousand three hun- 

 dred and thirty-three years before the Creation "; and just below, another 

 specimen of a " cailloux strie," marked : " Scratched by a cart-wheel on 

 Waterloo Bridge the day before yesterday." It is now almost incredible 

 that such objections should have been able to elicit anything more than a 

 smile at the ignorance of plain facts. 



Philip Duncan was better inspired, when he wrote in his poetic " Dia- 

 logue between Dr. Buckland and a Rocky Boulder " : 



Boulder, respondit. 







" And many a rock, indented with sharp force, 

 And still-seen striae, shows my ancient course : 

 And if you doubt it, go with friend Agassiz 

 And view the signs in Scotland and Swiss passes." 



