190 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE SEA : 



methods, and extended the sphere of geography, before 

 physical science had fairly annexed itself to the subject; 

 creating new associations of high interest in themselves, 

 and fertile in their influence on the condition and welfare of 

 mankind. Humboldt is the philosopher who has especially 

 contributed to the establishment of physical geography as a 

 branch of science. The natural phenomena, indeed, upon 

 which it is founded, being ever present and patent to obser- 

 vation, could not have escaped record ; and this record was 

 becoming continually more copious through its connection 

 with other branches of natural knowledge. But there was yet 

 wanting a clear specification of the scope and objects of the 

 science thus gradually evolving itself; and of the methods 

 best fitted for their attainment. It is this which we owe to 

 Humboldt's peculiar genius, aided by the vast resources 

 derived from travel and personal observation. The globe 

 was to him much more than a mere superficial delineation of 

 land and sea, of mountains and rivers, of terrestrial divisions 

 and other human landmarks. His researches comprised, 

 under a closer and more connected view, those great physi- 

 cal characters of the earth's surface through which alone we 

 can learn the changes it has undergone or is yet undergo- 

 ing; the physical elements and forces which have been 

 concerned, or are still active in producing these changes ; 

 and the agents and means by which change is limited and 

 general stability maintained. 



In assigning to Humboldt the foremost place among those 

 who have given to Physical Geography the name and cha- 

 racter of a science, we must add that this great field has since 

 been full of labourers, zealous in their work, and bringing to 

 it numerous aids and appliances furnished by other branches 

 of natural knowledge. Scarcely in truth is there one which 

 has not been made to contribute, directly or indirectly, to 

 Physical Geography in the full meaning of the term. When 



