5o6 



NATURE 



{Sept. 25, 1879 



logie," the first edition of which appeared in 1839. Other 

 works of like character by the same prolific author are : 

 " Ueber den innern Bau der Gebirge " (1851), and " Geo- 

 logische Fragen" (1858). In these works Bernhard von 

 Cotta has shown himself to belong to the school of Lyell 

 in so far as he holds unlimited time to be necessary for 

 the explanation of geological processes. 



The way in which natural sciences generally, and 

 geology in especial, were grasped in Cotta's large and 

 practical mind caused him earnestly to desire that geology 

 should be more generally known and appreciated by men 

 of average education, and he consequently published 

 several works which, in the best sense, may be called 

 popular. To these belong his " Letters on von Hum- 

 boldt's Cosmos" (2 vols., 1851-52), "Geological Letters 

 from the Alps" (1850), " Geologxal Pictures" (1852), 

 "Catechism of Geology" (3rd edit., 1877), and last, not 

 least, deserving mention, is his great work : " Geologie der 

 Gegenwart " (the present state of geology), the ist edi- 

 tion of which appeared in 1866, the 5th, partly re-written 

 and enlarged, in 1878. These works have greatly contri- 

 buted to put an end to those fantastical ideas about 

 geology which so long prevailed, even amongst well- 

 educated classes ; and by promoting a sound understand- 

 ing of geological states and processes, and of their bearing 

 on practical life, they have done much to raise natural 

 sciences in general estimation. Cotta's work, " Deutsch- 

 lands Boden," must also here be named. Not only does it 

 contain information of great importance to agriculturists, 

 miners, and manufacturers, but statesmen, politicians, 

 and sociologists may benefit much from studying it. It 

 makes it plain that geology forms the basis of geography, 

 that the outward forms we see on t'le surface of the earth 

 have for the most part been inwardly conditioned. A 

 German critic has called this work " Epochemachend," 

 and viewed it as a first attempt to show clearly by 

 particular instances "the influeace of geological forma- 

 tions on the life of man." 



Cotta's "Geologie der Gegenwart" merits more notice 

 than I can here bestow upon it. It contains fifteen 

 chapters or sep irate essays on that science and important 

 subjects therewith connected. Two of these essays : 

 "On Geology and History," and "The Development 

 Law of the Eiirth," have been published by me in 

 English. In this work the author has shown himself to 

 be an evolutionist and a thorough adherent of Darwin's 

 theory of the origin of species. He was one of the first— - 

 if not the first — eminent geologist w^ho fully accepted this 

 theory and applied it to the organic remains in sedi- 

 mentary rocks. And that which in Germany has been 

 called "Cotta's development law" is admirable and 

 fascinating by its simplicity. 



More than once has Prof. v. Cotta been in this country. 

 On his first visit (1S36)— when he made the acquaintance 

 of Lyell — I had the pleasure of accompanying him from 

 Germany. He has also travelled in France, Northern 

 Italy, Tyrol, Switzerland, Hungary, the Banet, Traiisyl- 

 vania, and the Cirpathians, and has written many articles 

 in various periodicals on his geological observations, &c., 

 in those lands. The number of his monographs and 

 fugitive essays would fill a good-sized volume. Many of 

 his earliest excursions were undertaken in the company 

 of his friend, the celebrated geologist, Leopold von Buch ; 

 Cotta likewise enjoyed the friendship of Alexander v. 

 Hu.nboldt, with whom he often corresponded. In 1868 

 he was invited by the Russian Government to visit the 

 Altai Mountains to report on their geological formation, 

 minerals, &c. On his return to Freiberg he wrote an 

 account of his journey and observations, and in 1871 

 published a large volume " Der Altai : sein geologischer 

 Bau und seine Erzlagerstatten." 



All the writings of Cotta are remarkable for lucidity, 

 terseness, and logical reasoning. In all the desire is 

 apparent to discover by the inductive method that con- 



nection of things which— even when most difficult or 

 impossible to perceive — we know must of necessity exist. 

 Owing to this tendency of his mind he has been said to 

 belong to the School of Positivists. Many of Cotta's 

 works have been translated into other lang.;ages. His 

 " Gesteinslehre" Mr. P. H. Lawrence has admirably 

 given in English: "Rocks Classified and Described," 

 &c. Numerous German and foreign academies and 

 learned societies have bestowed upon him honorary mem- 

 bership, and foreign potentates have given him decora- 

 tions. As long ago as 1867 von Cotta became a Foreign 

 Correspondent of the Geological Society of London, and 

 within the last few months the highest honour in the gift 

 of that Society was conferred upon him by his election as 

 Foreign Member. 



In private life, as in his scientific pursuits, Bernard v. 

 Cotta was characterised by truthfulness and directness of 

 purpose, whilst to these qualities were added warmth and 

 fidelity in his attachments, and also kind consideration 

 for the feelings and wants of his fellows in general. Thus 

 his memory will lire not only in the love and esteem of a 

 widow and three daughters, but will likewise be cherished 

 by those who have enjoyed his friendship. I may add 

 that Cotta, like nearly all men of genius, was absolutely 

 free from pedantry ; that he was sympathetic and readily 

 interested in politics, general literature, and social life. 

 He possessed, too, a strong sense of wit and humour, and 

 could greatly enjoy a good joke. R. R. Noel 



A ZOOLOGICAL STATION AT SYDNEY 



C EVERAL references to the scheme for the foundation 

 *--' of a zoological station at Sydney having appeared in 

 Nature since the idea was first mooted by Dr. Miclucho 

 Maclay, it may be of interest to our readers to learn how 

 far the project has progressed in the meantime. 



A correspondent in Sydney informs us that the Govern- 

 ment of New South Wales have granted an allotment of 

 land for the purpose at Watson's Bay, a small watering- 

 place about six miles from Sydney (with which there is com- 

 munication by steamer several times daily), and close to 

 the entrance of Port Jackson. The site is an excellent 

 one for the purpose, having a frontage of about 125 feet 

 to Port Jackson, with good dredging-ground within a 

 stone's throw, and so near the open Pacific (though en- 

 tirely sheltered) that pelagic organisms may be obtained 

 abundantly with the tow-net without going many hundred 

 yards. The New South Wales Government have also 

 promised the sum of 300/. towards the expense of erect- 

 ing the building, which sum will be placed in the hands 

 of the trustees when an equal amount has been raised by 

 private subscription. The 300/. must be subscribed 

 within a year, failing which the conditional promise of 

 Government assistance will be withdrawn. As yet the 

 subscription list does not show a total of one-third of the 

 required sum ; a circular soliciting subscriptions has 

 therefore been issued to such in Sydney and elsewhere as 

 are likely to take an interest in the matter. The money 

 having been obtained, it is intended to proceed with the] 

 building on the plan proposed by Dr. Maclay. Accord-1 

 ing to this plan the building will consist of two stories,! 

 the lower occupied, in addition to a small sitting-room orl 

 vestibule, by several (most probably four) well-lighted work-1 

 rooms, with dissecting- and microscope-tables, aquaria,! 

 and other necessary fittings. Each laboratory will be fori 

 the accommodation of a single worker, and will communi-J 

 cate by a separate stairway with a bed-room on the upperj 

 storey. Those working in the station will, by this arrange- 

 ment, be able to live quite independently of one another, 

 and to work without disturbance or interruption. In the 

 upper storey there will also be a large common room or 

 library communicating by a stair with the vestibule. A 

 photographic room will be built in the rear, and a boat- 



