330 Mr. D. Forbes* s Researches in 



The high scientific position occupied by British mineralogists 

 during the first third of this present century was one of which 

 the country might justly feel proud; and the names of Wollas- 

 ton, Hatchett, Jameson, Thomson, Phillips, Allan, Children, 

 and others took their place amongst those of the most able re- 

 presentatives of the science at that period. 



When, however, the actual state of mineralogical inquiry at 

 this present time is reviewed, it cannot but be confessed that 

 the many advances since made in the science have been almost 

 exclusively due to the labours of continental investigators, and 

 that British mineralogists have of late years neither done their 

 fair share of the work, nor even sustained the brilliant reputation 

 attained by their predecessors. 



The more novel attractions of palseontological research on the 

 one hand, and of organic chemistry on the other, appear to have 

 diverted the exertions of many of those who otherwise would 

 doubtless have done good service in the advancement of mine- 

 ralogy ; and it is to be feared that the British geologist of the 

 present day not only frequently underrates the importance of a 

 sound fundamental acquaintance with the elements of mineralogy, 

 but also is not sufficiently impressed with the fact that such 

 knowledge is absolutely essential to the proper and successful 

 prosecution of penological inquiry. 



To say the least, it may be regarded as a misuse of valuable 

 time, if not even termed presumption, when speculations alto- 

 gether hypothetical in their nature are brought forward to ex- 

 plain the chemical changes which are supposed to have caused 

 the appearance or changes of rock-masses in nature before 

 the authors are in possession of accurate data to prove the minera- 

 logical and chemical composition of the rocks themselves. And, 

 here in England, it will not be denied that it is only in some 

 very few instances (forming the exception to the rule) that at 

 present there are at hand data, either mineralogical or chemical, 

 sufficient to enable such generalizations to be attempted with 

 any pretensions to soundness ; for it is well known that only very 

 few chemical analyses of British rocks have been made, but also 

 that there is an equal want of either correct mineralogical deter- 

 minations or chemical analyses of the British mineral species 

 which combine to form the mass of even the most common rocks*. 



have already appeared in this and other scientific periodicals), his resi- 

 dence and many years' travels in foreign parts have hitherto caused his 

 attention to be more exclusively devoted to the mineralogy of such coun- 

 tries, and prevented him contributing his mite to British mineralogy. 



* It must be admitted that England in this respect stands far behind 

 the rest of Europe ; France, Germany, Russia, and even the small king- 

 doms of Norway and Denmark are far in advance with regard to the know- 

 ledge of the chemical and mineralogical composition of their rocks. 



