Progress of Geology, 453 



The science is also indebted to the researches of Dr. Skey 

 in Barbadoes, of Dr. Nugent in the Isles of Trinidad and 

 Montserrat, of Captain Veitch in the Island of Bermuda, and 

 Dr. Jack in Sumatra. 



With regard to the history of geological discovery, much 

 valuable information is comprised in a series of masterly articles 

 in the Edinburgh Review, commencing in 1811, and continued, 

 at intervals, to a late period. In the Qiiarterly Review also, 

 and in several of the scientific journals, geological communi- 

 cations of high character and value have occasionally ap- 

 peared. Nor ought we to omit to notice, in this place, 

 the able address delivered by Dr. Fitton, President of the 

 Geological Society, at the Annual Meeting of the Fellows, 

 February 15. 1828. 



When we consider the short time that geology has been 

 pursued as a science of induction, the enormous area sub- 

 mitted to examination, and the prodigious mass of unques- 

 tionable facts which have been established, we cannot but 

 exult at the progress which has been made, and at the elevated 

 station it now holds. 



While new discoveries are daily occurring, while doubtful 

 points are from time to time receiving elucidation, and many 

 desiderata continue to be supplied, the time is perhaps still 

 remote when it may be asserted that the work of English 

 geologists is done, and their acquaintance with the structure 

 even of their own country is complete. Even now we are 

 familiar with little more than the most prominent features of 

 some formations. The subordinate details remain to be filled 

 up, and will afford scope for the investigations of an increasing 

 class of observers. In almost all our great provincial towns, 

 institutions have been established within a very short period, 

 having, amongst other objects, those of facilitating the study 

 of local geology, and forming illustrative collections of mine- 

 ralogical and fossil substances. To most of these associations 

 lectureships are attached ; and museums of natural history, 

 mineralogy, and comparative anatomy are founded, and rapidly 

 augment. Thus the advantages which at first exclusively 

 appertained to the parent institutions of the metropolis, are 

 placed within the reach of a very extensive class of society. 

 The time may be distant ere these local museums will rival 

 the noble collections in some Continental universities ; but, 

 originating in the improved state of society, they are supported 

 with energy. The foundations are laid ; the nuclei are formed, 

 around which are rapidly concentrating vast masses of matter, 

 available to the interests of science, to an extent we are 

 scarcely able to appreciate. 



( To be continued.) 



