SIR CHARLES LYELL, BART. 165 



appeared in 1830, the second in 1832, and the third in 

 1833; but before the work was completed, a Beoond 

 edition of the earlier volumes was called for and 

 produced. The subsidiary title, "An Attempt to 

 Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface by 

 Reference to Causes now in Operation," gives the key- 

 note of the task to which Lyell devoted his life, 

 and in pursuance of which he made geological 

 tours over large portions of the Continent, and in later 

 years to Madeira and to the United States and Canada. 



Now that geology has become an established science, 

 and to show the difficulties which it had to encounter 

 before it was admitted as one at all, and also to prove 

 the soundness of the premises upon which Lyell based 

 his opinions, we cannot do better than give the opening 

 paragraphs of the work just mentioned. TVe quote 

 from the first edition, published by John Murray, two 

 volumes 8vo, 1830. The work has neither preface nor 

 introduction, but boldly commences at Chapter 1. In 

 it the author says : — 



" Greology is the science which investigates the suc- 

 cessive changes that have taken place in the organic 

 and inorganic kingdoms of nature; it inquires into 

 the causes of these changes, and the influence which 

 they have exerted in modifying the surface and 

 external surface of our planet. 



" By these researches into the state of the earth and 

 its inhabitants at former periods, we acquire a more 

 perfect knowledge of its present condition, and more 

 comprehensive views concerning the laws now govern- 

 ing its animate and inanimate productions. W hen we 



