40 Reviews—Dr. A. Geikie’s Text-Book of Geology. 
The recent Physical Geology of Green has much of the old spirit 
and fire of Jukes, and in its original mode of arrangement, and in 
its purely stratigraphical sections, it stands to-day unapproached in 
the entire range of geological literature. But, unfortunately, it 
covers only half the ground. The student who desires to'study the 
science as a whole is compelled to supplement it by the works of 
other and inferior hands. 
Ever since the publication of the last edition of Jukes’s “ Manual 
of Geology,” to which such important and valuable additions were 
made by Dr. Geikie, British geologists have naturally felt that here 
was the authority, who could, if he chose, compile what should 
become a standard work upon the science. Materials were plentiful, 
the petrological and dynamical departments of the subject had 
become crowded with an array of new and important discoveries, 
and in both these departments Dr. Geikie was known to stand in the 
very first rank. But not only was he known to be an enthusiastic 
and successful geologist. He had already taken the highest position 
in Britain as a brilliant and fascinating writer upon the science itself. 
When, therefore, it was known that he was engaged upon the article 
“Geology” for the new edition of the “‘ Encyclopedia Britannica,” 
the expectation of those in the secret was raised to the highest pitch, 
for it was felt that the article would be not only a vade mecum for 
the student, but an apology for the science itself. It would disarm 
the prejudices of the unscientific, and win for geology many a 
disciple from among the ranks of educated men. Upon its appear- 
ance it was at once acknowledged by all unprejudiced geologists 
that, at last, we possessed a text-book in which all the departments 
had a fairly equal share of attention, and in which the diverse sections 
and branches had been grouped into definite and intelligible order. 
To many besides ourselves we have no doubt the article in question 
has been a treasure-house of valuable material, into which we could 
enter at all times, and where we could lay our hands upon the thing 
wanted without a moment’s doubt or hesitation. 
Since that time we have waited very patiently for the appearance 
of the present volume, knowing perfectly well that Dr. Geikie would 
make it even more worthy of his great reputation and more fully 
suited to the needs of the general public. In both these respects we 
feel that our confident anticipations have been more than justified, 
and that the volume before us, as a standard work of reference upon 
all the main branches of geological science, is unquestionably the 
finest in the English language. But, in saying:this, we by no 
means intend to imply that the work is equally perfect throughout. 
But there is less inequality of treatment than in any other work of 
the kind, and from beginning to end there is evidence of a conscien- 
tious endeavour to give every department its fair share of notice. 
Even when we feel that the author is dealing with a part of the 
subject with which he has no personal sympathy, he never allows 
his want of interest to stand in the way of making his work 
complete. If the materials are extant and accessible, they are 
collected and grouped into order for the benefit of the student; and 
