MacCulloch's System of Geology. 375 



from the researches of one individual, under the neglect of all 

 other observers. In any case, where no previous hypothesis to 

 the contrary had existed, no one would hesitate in receiving it. 

 " If a recent geologist has undertaken, in the last case, to ex- 

 plain otherwise what he never saw, because he preferred an- 

 cient ignorance to modern truth, (!!) he has also forgotten that 

 the secondary and the primary strata never can undergo a joint 

 undulation : he could not have been ignorant to this extent, 

 though his researches had been confined to the recent strata : 

 it has been the oversight of anxiety for an hypothesis. And 

 geologists would be better employed in seeking for new truths, 

 than in determining what is, because they think that it ought 

 to be. If this is to be the rule, all observation is useless : he 

 who has seen nothing becomes the interpreter of everything, 

 and interprets as he had previously statuted to do : Geology 

 is attained, and we may rest from our labours. But if it is 

 thus to become a science, it is the first that ever succeeded 

 through this road. I owe this remark to the geological stu- 

 dent, (!!) whom I have undertaken to teach in all that I know 

 myself, and whom it is my duty to guide where he has been 

 misled: 1 — Vol. i. pp. 418, 419- 



We conclude with Dr MacCulloch's memorable final para- 

 graph on " the identification of strata through organic fossils, - " 

 which we suppose he considers fine writing ; if so, we imagine 

 he stands alone. " It is quite time that geologists should re- 

 view their system, in this, as in far more, and correct their 

 practice. Then, and not till then, shall we begin fairly to 

 study the history of the Earth ; and, in time, we shall know 

 the Truth ; the Truth itself, and the ever odious truth that 

 we have been in the wrong. Let shells be used as aids, as far 

 as they can : but if strata arc to be determined by shells alone, 

 it will be the land of shells and conchologists that will set the 

 pattern of the earth, as other lands and other conchologists, 

 will, under Breislak's remark, contest for other patterns. This is 

 not geology ; and thus will Geology never be." — Vol. i. |>. 454. 



We shall not attempt to criticize this extraordinary chapter, 

 — we leave it in far abler hands, — to those by whom it will be 

 thoroughly sifted, — to the dissecting knife of the comparative 

 anatomist, and the tender mercies of the members of the Geo- 

 logical Society. ]•'. 



