J. L. LOBLET — THE STITDY OF GEOLOGY. 181 



at once perceive how deeply interesting must the study of geology 

 become to any one of ordinary intelligence. But it is specially 

 interesting to students of other departments of human knowledge. 

 To the astronomer it is interesting to know the constitution, and 

 the composition, and the internal forces, with their operations and 

 results, of one of that great brotherhood of heavenly bodies, the 

 motions and the mutual relations of which it is his peculiar 

 province to investigate. To the geographer it is interesting to 

 know the character of the great mountains and the wide plains of 

 the earth ; to know the cause of the sterility of one portion of the 

 surface of the globe and the productiveness of another ; and to 

 become acquainted with those stupendous operations of Nature 

 which have uplifted the Himalayas in Asia as well as the 

 Malvems at home, which have scooped out the great valleys of 

 the world and produced those gorges of the Andes and the Rocky 

 Mountains, where the traveller looks up with wonder and awe at 

 precipices a mile high. To the chemist it is interesting to know 

 the ultimate eifects of those affinities and powers he delights to 

 study ; to know in bulk what he knows in detail, and to observe 

 the occurrence in Nature of those substances he is so familiar with 

 in the laboratory. To the zoologist it is surely interesting to know 

 the forms of animal life which peopled the earth before the present 

 genera and species appeared ; to trace the likeness of an animal in 

 one that lived in the far-oif eons of the past, and to note the mar- 

 vellous adaptability of every creature to the circumstances which 

 prevailed during the epoch in which it had its existence. And to 

 the philosopher is it not interesting to examine the evidences of 

 the consistency of the Universe ; to see that that wondrous whole 

 which Astronomy teaches us the most far-reaching telescope cannot 

 penetrate, nor of which the most capacious mind can conceive the 

 limits, is not of yesterday, but that all is great, the time as well 

 as the extent, the age as well as the size ; and that all is fashioned 

 as well as governed by the working of laws which inspire the mind 

 with the utmost awe by their undeviating consistency and stately 

 and majestic action ? 



The study of Geology is, however, something more than interesting 

 and instructive to the student in his study. We can easily see how 

 it will widen the mind and elevate our conceptions of Nature and 

 her operations. But there is another object to be gained by the 

 study of Geology, which, perhaps, I should have named earlier. 



The use of a knowledge of Geology is evident in mining and 

 engineering operations, whether for the supply of water to towns 

 or for the making of roads either for civil or military purposes. 

 By teaching the character of the subsoil of a district and of the 

 underlying rocks, it is most useful in agriculture, and by teaching 

 the character and capabilities of a distant country it may be made 

 most useful in commerce. 



To those engaged in city life, a knowledge of Geology is most 

 valuable. It takes our thoughts at once away from crowded streets 

 and busy workshops, to the mountains and to the sea. AVe hear no 



