450 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



the paleozoic geology of Europe. Of this volume four editions have 

 appeared, the last in 1867, much augmented, and in great part re- 

 written. 



In 1855, on the death of Sir Henry de la Beche, Murchison was 

 named in his place as director-general of the Geological Survey of 

 the United Kingdom, a post which he resigned not long before his death. 

 His activity as a geological investigator still continued. From 1855 

 to 1860 he turned his attention towards the Highlands of Scotland ; 

 and in 1861 published, in connection with Professor Archibald Giekie, a 

 geological map of Scotland, with an introductory sketch, which is a valu- 

 able contribution to the literature of the subject, and sets forth briefly 

 the great differences of opinion which had arisen between Murchison 

 and his friend Professor Nicoll, as to the geological age of the crystalline 

 schists of the Scottish Highlands. Besides the works already noticed, 

 Murchison is said to have published during his long scientific career, 

 extending over forty-five years, more than one hundred memoirs by 

 himself on British and Continental geology, besides upwards of twenty 

 in connection with other investigators. 



The secret of his scientific success is to be found, in great part, in 

 his methodical habits and his untiring industry. The observations of 

 each day in the field were written out fully at night, and, while in 

 town, the early hours of the morning were devoted to his literary 

 labors. Murchison's scientific services were such as could not fail to 

 attract attention and receive acknowledgment. To his scientific honors, 

 which culminated in 1868 in his election as one of the eight foreign 

 members of the French Academy of Sciences, were added titles and 

 distinctions from princes and governments, both at home and abroad, 

 among them the rank of Baronet of the United Kingdom. If these 

 well-earned social honors were highly prized, no less by the courtier 

 than the savant, it may be fairly said that he regarded them as a 

 homage paid through him to science, and that he strove to turn 

 them to good account in its service, as became his genial and kindly 

 nature. 



In forming an estimate of his scientific character, it must be said 

 that his works show no such extensive acquaintance with geological 

 history and literature as those of Lyell. He was not learned in chem- 

 istry, mineralogy, nor lithology ; and, although skilfully availing himself 

 of the evidences furnished by organic fossils, owed his paleontological 

 determinations to others. His great merit as a geologist seems to have 



