Hints for Improvements, 5S7 



Art. IV. Hints for Improvements, 



Conventional Signs, to express Objects in Geology and Phy- 

 sical Geography. — Sir, Physical geography and geology hav- 

 ing become popular sciences, the slightest hints which tend 

 to their progress will, I am persuaded, find ready admission 

 into your journal. Half a century since, such a thing as a 

 physical map of a country was almost unknown ; zigzag lines, 

 traced without any regard to accuracy, designated the course 

 of rivers, and a number of well-formed mole-hills were in- 

 tended to represent mountains ; " the big Hill of Howth " 

 proudly vying in importance with Chimborazo. Something 

 has been done towards the correction of such incongruities, 

 but much remains to be done; and in this respect we are 

 much behind our neighbours the French and Germans. This 

 principally arises from the want of conventional signs: but 

 if this be to be regretted in physical geography, it is still more 

 so in geology. It will be said, that we have excellent geolo- 

 gical maps. True : the greatest praise is due to Messrs. Smith 

 and Greenough ; but they are obliged to call in the aid of 

 colours to designate the different formations : however, here 

 the end is attained, and if not in the best manner, yet so as to 

 afford the requisite instruction. Our artists, like so many 

 Doctors Syntax, scour the "wide world" in search of the pic- 

 turesque. A fine mountain is a fortune to them ; it makes 

 such a pretty picture ! and, after it has passed through the 

 hands of a Heath or a Finden, becomes an elegant ornament 

 to a book : but I would ask, like the mathematician at the 

 theatre, what does that prove ? Why, that the scenery is 

 very beautiful, and very romantic : the eye is delighted, but 

 the mind is not instructed or improved ; and this, too, for the 

 want of conventional signs. Now, Sir, I submit whether this 

 be not a subject worthy the consideration of the Geological 

 Society. In heraldry we have lines and dots, which perfectly 

 designate the colours to be blazoned on a shield ; why should 

 we not employ a similar method to designate the different 

 formations? These signs, fixed and authorised by the Geo- 

 logical Society, would soon become generally adopted. Our 

 travellers would soon learn them by heart, and fix them in 

 their memories. Any of the popular treatises on geology 

 would enable them to ascribe to the landscape, especially 

 mountain scenery, its true character. They would embody 

 it in their sketches, and thus aid, without trouble or difficulty, 

 the progress of geological science. The artist, thus viewing 

 his landscape with the eye of science, will find new^ charms in 

 his pencil ; and, instead of contenting himself with a distant 



