6 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
Geology considered with reference to its Utility and Practical 
Effects, by the Rev. S. B. Brodie, M.A. ; F.G.S. ; Vice-President of 
the Warwickshire Naturalists' Field Club. 
Fifty years ago Geology was in its infancy; there were but few 
who cultivated it as a Science. Museums were scarce and col- 
lections were only to be found here and there. If an unfortunate 
loTer of nature was seen hammering in a stone quarry, he was 
generally supposed to be slightly demented. So rapid, however, has 
been the advance in general knowledge since that time, that the 
Geologist in these days pursues his researches unmolested ; the fre- 
quent visits to his favourite haunts cease to excite astonishment ; 
indeed are rather regarded with favour and respect. It may now be 
safely affirmed, that most towns of any note have a well arranged 
Museum and there are usually a few scientific people in the 
neighbourhood. Colleges and schools have lectures on natural 
science ; and the universities are at last fully alive to the increasing 
demand for scientific knowledge, which may be turned to some 
practical account. The establishment of the Geological Survey, 
with its staff" of able officers and an admirable Museum of Practical 
Geology ; and the spread of Field Clubs of natural history, in various 
counties, are undeniably important steps in the pursuit of science 
and form a bright era in its history. The student, therefore, has 
not the insuperable difficulties and drawbacks to contend with, in the 
present day, which he had to imdergo formerly. It is certainly a step 
in the right direction, and a matter for congratulation, that Geology 
is more favourably regarded than it used to be, and we hope to see the 
day when it may be made a branch of education generally through- 
out the country. Still it is not to be denied that there are numbers 
of well meaning and estimable people, who not only underrate its 
utility and importance, but who reject most of its well-established 
facts, looking upon many of them as dangerous and visionaiy. 
This is not simply confined to the religious question respecting the 
original creation of the world and the periods of time of greater 
or less extent which aU Geologists believe it to have occupied. But 
we have often heard asked " Of what use is Geology, and whet are 
