46 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
Tlie development of ArcliaBology has been very similar to tliat 
of Geology. Not long ago we should have smiled at the idea of re- 
constructing the bygone days of our race previous to the beginning 
of history propci'ly so called. The void was partly filled up by re- 
presenting that ante-historical antiquity as having been only of short 
duration, and partly by exaggerating the value and the age of those 
vague and confused notions which constitute tradition. 
It seems to be with mankind at large as with single individuals. The 
recollections of our earliest childhood have entirely faded away up to 
some particular event which had struck us more forcibly, and which 
alone has left a lasting image amidst the surrounding darkness. 
Thus, excepting the idea of a deluge which exists among so many 
nations, and therefore appears to have originated before the emigra- 
tion of those same nations, the infancy of mankind, at least in 
Europe, has passed without leaving any reminiscences ; and history 
fails here entirely, for what is history but the memory of mankind. 
But before the beginning of histoiy there were Hfe and indus- 
try, of which various monuments still exist ; whde others lie buried 
in the soil, much as we find the organic remains of former creations 
entombed in the strata composing the crust of the globe. The anti- 
quities enact here a similar part to that of the fossils ; and if Cuvier 
calls the geologist an antiquarian of a neAV order, we can reverse 
that remarkable saying, and consider the antiquarian as a geologist, 
applying his method to reconstruct the first ages of mankind pre- 
vious to all recollection, and to work out what may be termed pre- 
historical history. This is Archteology pure and proper. But 
ArchiEology cannot be considered as coming to a full stop with the 
first beginning of history, for the further we go back in our historical 
researches the more incomplete they become, leaving gaps which the 
study of material remains helps to fill up. ArchsBology, therefore, 
pursues its course in a parallel line with that of history, and hence- 
forth the two sciences mutually enlighten each other. But with the 
progress of history the part taken by Archaeology goes on decreasing, 
until the invention of printing almost brings to a close the researches 
of the antiquarian. 
To pursue geological investigations, we must first examine the 
]>vesent state of our planet, and observe its changes — that is, we must 
