Ixxxii PKOCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCTEir. [May 1909, 



very widest sense) — sciences which, beginning with the study of 

 natural phenomena, conclude with the formulation of abstract 

 laws ; and last, in contact with the solid ground, come three con- 

 crete sciences, seated, as it were, side by side ; on the one hand 

 Astronomy, on the other Biology, and between them a science 

 which restricts its studies to a single planet, the Earth on which 

 we dwell. If this science had no name we should be compelled to 

 invent one for it : if its seat were not occupied, Geology would 

 stand waiting to be enthroned. Here then we salute our science, 

 seated in the midst, in close companionship with Astronomy and 

 Biology, ministered to by the higher sciences above. 



By this central position Geology is peculiarly favoured ; it brings 

 her into close conversation with all the other sciences, and a cross- 

 fertilization of ideas thus results which is prolific in fresh dis- 

 coveries. It is the privilege therefore, as it is the duty, of the 

 geologist to increase as far as possible his acquaintance with the 

 whole realm of science ; it is, indeed, in the application of this know- 

 ledge that his own special work consists. A mathematician may be 

 a master in his own subject, and may yet without reproach boast 

 of very little acquaintance with any other branch of knowledge ; 

 but a geologist who is entirely ignorant of mathematics is only 

 half educated. Great investigators in Physics have been known 

 to display an amazing want of familiarity with the rudiments of 

 Chemistry, but a geologist must be at least well grounded in both 

 these subjects, and at the same time it is certain that without some 

 real knowledge of Astronomy and Biology he will not be able to 

 push his enquiries very far. 



The only approach to Geology lies through the other sciences 

 and endeavours to enter in some other way are responsible for 

 much of the pseudoscience that has been perpetrated in its name. 1 



If we have rightly conceived the position and external relations 



1 In making these remarks I have not the least desire to participate in a con- 

 troversy which now occupies the minds of some of our teachers. A rudimentary 

 knowledge of chemistry and physics will carry the beginner a long way, and 

 the best endowment of the geological surveyor is a native gift for geometry. 

 At what stage geology should enter into the regular course of school-teaching 

 is a question to be decided by circumstances. There is no reason why the 

 study in the field should not be commenced at a very early age, as soon, that 

 is, as a boy begins to display an interest in out-of-door phenomena. This sort 

 of geology may provide an interesting variation to birds'-nesting and butterfly- 

 collecting. In any case, it is better for the boy than to be compelled to take 

 part in games which he detests. 



