ADAM SEDGWICK A^'D WILLIAM BUCKLAND. 
149 
substance and foundations of the everlasting hills, the camivora in 
each period of the world's history fulfilling their destined office to 
check excess in the progress of life and maintain the balance of crea- 
tion," a truly wonderful generalisation to be derived from so humble 
an origin ! Tliirteen years after the publication of the memoir on 
Kirkdale Cave, Dr. Buckland was requested to undertake, and con- 
tributed, one of the Bridgewater Treatises, viz., that on Mineralogy 
and Geology. 
Dr. Buckland died in 1856. He was one of those gi-eat intel- 
lectual organisers of the early history of geological science who are 
long since dead. He took no small part in laying a just and true 
foundation of the science, and whilst always earnestly in search of 
the truth, perhaps no man more strongly expressed the opinions that 
he from time to time held, or was more ready when he discovered 
errors to accept a new and more trutliful theory. He frankly 
acknowledged any original misconception, and assiduously endea- 
voured to advocate more correct opinions derived from greater 
knowledge, however opposed they may have been to those he had 
previously held. His views of diluvial action, insisted upon with all 
the natural fervour of his energetic character, were quickly modified 
when Agassiz made his appearance in this country, and propounded 
his glacial theories. No one welcomed him more zealously, or aided him 
more energetically in working out those theories than Dr. Buckland. 
He was of a very cheerful disposition, and cultivated the humor- 
ous side in all things. He possessed gTeat bodily strength, which 
made him equal to any amount of exertion, and many stories are 
told of his geological escapades. 
