CHAPTER XII. 



THE LIFE OF MURCHISON. 



The older rocks of the globe studied accurately and surveyed — 

 The general similarity of the succession of strata in many parts 

 of the world decided — The geology of Wales and Scotland de- 

 scribed — The commencement of accurate geological surveys. 



Roderick Impey Murchison was the descen- 

 dant of a very old Rossshire family, who were great 

 supporters of the Stuarts in the wild western 

 country of the north of Scotland. His great- 

 grandfather fell at Sheriffmuir, and his grandfather, 

 a tenant farmer, had to struggle with slender means 

 during a long life. But long before this fine old 

 man died, at the age of ninety-nine, he saw the 

 fortunes of his family retrieved by his eldest son, 

 whom he outlived. 



This son, Roderick Impey Murchison's father, 

 was born in 175 1, and, thanks to the cheap and 

 good education which was to be got at Edinburgh 

 and Glasgow, he became a surgeon. Passing the 



