572 HISTORY OF GEOLOGY. 



Sect. 2. Application of Systematic Geology. 

 Geological Surveys and Maps. 



SUCH surveys as that which Conybeare and Phil- 

 lips's book presented with respect to England, were 

 not only a means of disseminating the knowledge 

 implied in the classifications of such a work, but 

 they were also an essential part of the application 

 and extension of the principles established by the 

 founders of systematic geology. As soon as the 

 truth of such a system was generally acknowledged, 

 the persuasion of the propriety of geological sur- 

 veys and maps of each country could not but 

 impress itself on men's minds. 



When the earlier writers, as Lister and Fonte- 

 nelle, spoke of mineralogical and fossilological maps, 

 they could hardly be said to know the meaning of 

 the terms which they thus used. But when subse- 

 quent classifications had shown how such a sug- 

 gestion might be carried into effect, and to what 

 important consequences it might lead, the task was 

 undertaken in various countries in a vigorous and 

 consistent manner. In England, besides Smith's 

 map, another, drawn up by Mr. Greenough, was 

 published by the Geological Society in 1819; and, 

 being founded on very numerous observations of 

 the author and his friends, made with great labour 

 and cost, was not only an important correction and 

 confirmation of Smith's labours, but a valuable 

 storehouse and standard of what had then boon 



