256 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



how one stratum was successively covered by 

 another. 



" I drew in colours, on a map of the vicinity of 

 Bath, and on 'Day and Masters' county survey,' 

 all [that had been observed] very accurately to a 

 certain extent, which embraced an interesting but 

 intricate variety of strata in hills around Bath ; and 

 some small maps of England were spoiled by 

 speculating on the ranges of stratification without 

 sufficient data. The intricacies in their marginal 

 edges were such that I found, to mark point by 

 point, as the facts were ascertained, was the only 

 way in which I could safely proceed. 



" My experience in what I had done upon the 

 Somersetshire map was sufficient to convince me 

 that to make a map of the strata on a scale as 

 large as Gary's England (five miles to an inch), 

 with sufficient accuracy, much of it should first be 

 drawn on a larger scale." 



It was fortunate for Mr. Smith, and for the pro- 

 gress of his views, that he gained at this time the 

 friendship of a man singularly competent to esti- 

 mate the truth and value of these views, and both 

 able and willing to advocate the merit of their 

 author. The Rev. Benjamin Richardson was at 

 this time living in Bath, and possessed a choice 

 collection of local fossils, mostly gathered by his 

 own diligent hands. Extensively versed in natural 

 history, and generally well acquainted with the 

 progress of science, he was perfectly enthusiastic in 

 following out, and liberal in enabling others to 



