i82 INTRODUCTION 



\Steno's interest in geology had meanwhile given way to his interest 

 in theology.^ Brief as it is, the Prodromus remains one of the most 

 noteworthy contributions" to the science of geology, and especially 

 the oiology of Italy. Steno's habits of observation,-analysis, and in- 

 duction resulted in an enlightened exposition of geology considered 

 from the petrological, palaeontological, and stratigraphical point of 

 view, at a time when many of his contemporaries were still satisfied 

 with some of the absurdities of metaphysical speculation.^ Steno's 

 work, von Zittel remarks,' " already contained the kernel of much 

 that has been under constant discussion during the two centuries 

 which have passed since his death ; and if one reads the most recent 

 text-books of geology, it will be evident that science has not yet se- 

 curely ascertained the share that is to be assigned to subsidence, to 

 upheaval, to erosion, and to volcanic action in the history of the 

 earth's surface conformation in different regions." 



The journey to Denmark was not undertaken until a year after 

 Steno's conversion, and then by a circuitous route. After visiting 

 Rome, Naples, and Murano, he reached Innsbruck in May, 1669, 

 Vienna and Prague in the late summer of the same year, and finally 

 Amsterdam in the spring of 1670. Meanwhile Frederik III had 

 died February 2, 1670, and Steno remained in Holland. Upon 

 learning of the serious illness of his patron Ferdinand II he departed 

 at once for Florence. When he arrived (1670), Cosimo III had al- 

 ready succeeded his father as Grand Duke of Tuscany. But the 

 change in rulers brought no change in the warmth of Steno's wel- 

 come. Under Cosimo he arranged the minerals in the Pitti Palace, 

 and continued his studies in geology. 



In the Pitti Palace is a series of portraits of distinguished men 

 who were associated with the Court of Ferdinand II and Cosimo III. 



'The Prodromus was Steno's last scientific work of note. After his conversion (of. p. i8o) 

 his interest in science rapidly waned. Leibnitz, who came to know and esteem Steno later in 

 Hannover, in letters to Conring expresses deep regret that Steno had abandoned his earlier 

 studies. See Gerhardt, Die philosophischen Schriften von G. W. Leibniz (Vol. I, Berlin, 1875), 

 p. 185, and especially p. 193 : '■'■ Stenonium Episcopum doleo nunc a physiologicis studiis averti 

 ad theologica vel idea quia in his facilius quain in illis habebit paremy 



''■ K striking instance of this is Kircher's Mundus Subterraneus, Amsterdam, 1665. Com- 

 pare Maar, Om Paste Legemer, Copenhagen, 1902, p. ii ff. 



^History of Geology and Palceontology, Eng. trans. (London, 1901), p. 27. Compare 

 Hux\ey, 7\raiure, Vol. 24 (i88i),p. 453; A. von Humboldt, Essai Ghgnosiique sur le Gisement 

 des Roches dans les deux Himispheres (Paris, 1823), p. 38; Cosmos, Eng, trans. (London, 

 1852), Vol. 2, pp. 347-348; M. J. P. Flourens, De la Longiviti humaine et de la Quantiti 

 de Vie sur le Globe (Paris, 1855), pp. 211-215. 



