Xl PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



more general taste for geology. Independently of this, the modifi- 

 cation of the Neptunian theory as adopted by Werner, and in which 

 form Prof. Jameson introduced it to the notice of his countrymen, 

 has been proved by the test of modern science to be more consistent 

 with the phaenomena of Nature than the Plutonian view^s of its ad- 

 versaries. It has served to introduce a more methodical study of the 

 different formations of the earth's crust, in harmony with the nume- 

 rous organic remains which they contain, and which never could 

 have been reconciled with the doctrines of the Huttonian theory. 



In 1813, at the suggestion of Professor Jameson, a translation of 

 Leopold von Buch's 'Travels through Norway and Lapland in 1806, 

 1807, and 1808,' was published by Mr. Black, — Jameson himself 

 adding to the interest of the work by an account of the author, and by 

 various notes illustrative of the natural history of Norway. In 1816, 

 another edition of the ' System of Mineralogy ' made its appearance 

 in three volumes ; and at the same time a new edition of his ' Cha- 

 racters of Minerals' was called for. Other editions of both works 

 followed. In 1819, he commenced the 'Edinburgh Philosophical 

 Journal.' For the first six years he conducted it with Sir David 

 Brewster, but since that period he was the sole editor. It extends 

 to seventy volumes, and is one of the most valuable repositories of 

 scientific information in Britain. It will ever form one of the most 

 durable monuments of his talents and industry. 



But while Jameson was thus exerting himself in Edinburgh to 

 propagate sound and correct views respecting the geological phse- 

 nomena of the earth's crust, another distinguished naturalist was 

 labouring in another capital to bring about the same results by the 

 help of comparative anatomy. 



In 1821, the immortal Cuvier published his 'Discourse on the 

 Theory of the Earth,' as an introduction to his ' Researches on Fossil 

 Bones.' To Professor Jameson we are indebted for the publication 

 of a translation of this work made by Mr. Kerr. On this work 

 Jameson observes : — " The notes I have added will, I trust, be found 

 interesting, and the account of Cuvier' s 'Geological Discoveries' 

 which accompanies them will be useful to those who have not an 

 opportunity of consulting the great work." This popular work pro- 

 duced an excellent effect in this country, for Cuvier was but partially 

 known in England until this essay appeared. It rapidly ran through 

 five editions : in the fifth. Professor Jameson entirely remodelled it, 

 extending it from 190 to 5.50 pages. 



During this period he also contributed many articles to the * En- 

 clopaedia Britannica' and to the ' Edinburgh Encyclopsedia ;' and on 

 the return of Captain Parry from his Polar Expedition he drew up, 

 from the specimens brought home, a sketch of the geology of the 

 different coasts discovered and touched at by that enterprising navi- 

 gator. But it would be occupying too much of your time, to enume- 

 rate the various works w-hich flowed from his ever-ready pen. I 

 cannot, however, conclude this notice without briefly alluding to one 

 point respecting which Professor Jameson deserves the greatest 

 praise, both for what he effected and for what he endeavoured to 



