92 
WILLIAM SMITH ! HIS MAPS AND MEMOIRS 
MARTIN LISTER, 1683. 
In Volume II. of the Yorkshire Archaeological and Topographical 
Journal, 1873, is a '-'Memoir of Martin Lister, M.D., F.R.S., 1638-1712," 
by Robert Davies, F.S.A. Referring to Dr. Lister's contributions to 
the Philosophical Transactions, and printed by the Royal Society, 
Mr. Davies states : " The earliest of the communications, which he 
read to the Society in person, was probably that delivered at a meeting 
held on the 12th of March, 1683-4. This paper is extremely curious, 
and gave an impetus to the study of geology. It is entitled, ' An 
Ingenious proposal for a new sort of Maps of Countrys, together with 
Tables of Sands and Clays, such chiefly as are found in the north of 
England.' The author commences : ' We shall be better able to 
judge of the make of the earth, and of many phenomena belonging 
thereto, when we have well and duly examined it, as far as human art 
can possibly reach, beginning from the outside downwards. As for the 
most inward and central parts thereof, I think we shall never be able 
to confute Gilbert's opinion, who will, not without reason, have it 
altogether iron. 
" And for this purpose it were adviseable that a soile or mineral 
map, as I may call it, were devised. The same map of England may, 
for want of a better at present serve the turn . It might be distinguished 
into countries, with the rivers and some of the noted towns put in. 
The soile might either be coloured, or otherwise distinguished by 
variety of lines or etchings ; but the great care must be, very exactly 
to note on the map, where such and such soiles are bounded. As for 
example, in Yorkshire, 1. The Woolds : chaulk, flint and pyrites, etc. 
2. Blachnoor : moores, sandstone, etc. 3. H older ness : boggy, turf, 
clay, sand, etc. 4. Western Mountains : moores, sandstone, coal, 
ironstone, lead-ore, sand, clay, etc. Nottinghamshire : mostly gravel 
pebbles, clay, sand-stone, hall-playster or gypsum, etc. Now, if it 
were noted how far these [soils] extended, and the limits of each soil 
appeared upon a map, something more might he comprehended f rom the 
whole and from every part than I can possibly foresee, which would make 
such a labour well worth the pains. For, I am of opinion, such upper 
soils, if natural, infallibly produce such under minerals, and for the most 
part, in such order. But I leave this to the industry of future times." 
The annexed extract of a letter from Mr. Aston to Dr. Plot, at 
