RECORDS OF GEOLOGICAL FACTS 221 



the use of artificial and natural manures, will all 

 be answered more satisfactorily if a knowledge of 

 geological principles be allowed to influence the 

 considerations. 



The record of facts for future use. 



In the early days of the science Sir Charles Lyell 

 urged geologists to multiply and record observations 

 and patiently await the result at some future 

 period. He pointed out in the clearest manner 

 possible how geological knowledge gained from one 

 suite of observations makes the next step more 

 easy, and lends precision where doubt had pre- 

 viously existed. Looking back over the last 

 century we recognise how, again and again, seem- 

 ingly disconnected facts have banded themselves 

 together to give rise to some geological principle of 

 far-reaching economic importance. 



With all that geology has accomplished, the 

 further accumulation of geological facts, and the 

 recording of observations, have not diminished in 

 importance ; for only by the advance of knowledge 

 is it possible to raise the standard of general educa- 

 tion and, indirectly, of industrial efficiency. For- 

 tunately the surface of the land changes its form 

 so slowly, that, in most cases, geological observations 

 can be made with ease and verified at leisure. 

 Such observations are being made by a multitude 

 of skilled geologists and recorded for future reference 

 in the pages of various scientific publications ; also, 



