REVIEW OF PLOT'S POSITION 239 



Brute, might kill one of Gogmagog's Kace, and that 

 from him the Place doth take its Name, as well as 

 the County of Cornwall." 



In reflecting on these views of Dr. Plot, no one will 

 fail to recognise his perfect good faith ; he does not 

 appear to have been greatly influenced by theological 

 prepossessions, and is honestly anxious to arrive at the 

 truth. 



What, then, it may be asked, was it that led him, 

 and many great naturalists with him, to conclusions so 

 opposed to those of Steno, so opposed as we now know to 

 the truth itself ? 



There were evidently several reasons. In the first 

 place, Plot clearly perceived that the admission of the 

 organic nature of fossils brought with it a whole train of 

 perplexing consequences. To avoid these, he preferred 

 an appeal to crystallisation, as raising ultimately fewer 

 difficulties. Other branches of science were not at that 

 time sufficiently advanced to show the baselessness of 

 this explanation ; the subject was a difficult one, many 

 additional observations were needed, and the mind of 

 Plot was eminently critical. When we survey the vast 

 superstructure that modern science has raised on the 

 foundation prepared by Steno, i.e., on the organic nature 

 of fossils, and the superposition of stratified rocks, none 

 but an impatient mind will feel other than grateful to 

 Plot for having subjected these fundamental principles to 

 the severest examination, for having spared no argument 

 which could possibly be brought against them. Next to 

 suggestive generalisation, science stands in need of honest 

 criticism. Geology required a prophet, and she found 

 him in Steno, but she also required a critic, and in Plot 

 she met with one of the most penetrating intellect and 

 uncompromising spirit. 



W r e have, perhaps, lingered too long in the delightful 



