HOW THE SCIENCE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. 315 



were more than half false, passing current for a time a« 

 universal truths. We have evidence collected in proof of 

 these dogmas ; by and by a colligation of facts in antagon- 

 ism with them ; and eventually a consequent modification. 

 In conformity with this somewhat improved hypothesis, we 

 have a better classification of facts ; a greater power of 

 arranging and interpreting the new facts now rapidly 

 gathered together ; and further resulting corrections of 

 hypothesis. Being, as we are at present, in the midst of 

 this process, it is not possible to give an adequate account 

 of the development of geological science as thus regarded : 

 the earlier stages are alone known to us. Not only, how- 

 ever, is it interesting to observe how the more advanced 

 views now received respecting the Earth's history, have 

 been evolved out of the crude views which preceded them; 

 but we shall find it extremely instructive to observe this. 

 "We shall see hoAV greatly the old ideas still sway, both the 

 general mind, and the minds of geologists themselves. 

 We shall see how the kind of evidence that has in part 

 abolished these old ideas, is still daily accumulating, and 

 threatens to make other like revolutions. In brief, we 

 shall see whereabouts we are in the elaboration of a true 

 theory of the Earth ; and, seeing our whereabouts, shall be 

 the better able to judge, among various conflicting ojoinions, 

 which best conform to the ascertained direction of geologi- 

 cal discovery. 



It is alike needless and impracticable here to enumerate 

 the many S23eculations which were in earlier ages propound- 

 ed by acute men — speculations some of which contained 

 portions of truth. FaUing in unfit times, these speculations 

 did not germinate; and hence do not concern us. We 

 have nothing to do with ideas, however good, out of which 

 no science grew ; but only with those which gave origin to 

 the system of Geology that now exists. We therefore be- 

 gin with Werner 



