152 
PRESENT STATE OF GEOLOGY IN INDIA. 
Dr. McClelland opens his work by com- 
menting on the present state of Geology 
in India, and affirming that he has laboured 
unassisted in this interesting field during the 
greater portion of his residence in the 
country, and therefore claims some knowledge 
of the causes which retard the cultivation of 
this science. Such knowledge is of importance 
to the scientific world ; and consequently it 
becomes our duty to lay it before our 
readers, especially those in Europe who are 
deeply interested in the physical and 
geological character of India. Dr. Mc- 
Clelland says that it is painful to re- 
flect that we are as ignorant of the physical 
structure of the immense empire of Hin- 
dustan as we are of that of China and 
Africa. But there has been sufficient cause for 
neglecting such important researches. The 
British Government in India, we lament to 
say, has never once to our knowledge afford- 
ed the least encouragement to men of science 
and learning to obtain information as to 
the physical structure of the country. We 
look to the labours of a Moorcroft, a Gerard, 
and a Burns as sanctioned more for political 
purposes than those of science, although, 
their exertions, it is to behoped,were directed 
to this purpose, and there may be still some- 
thing recorded of them which can be consi- 
dered worthy of being placed by the side of 
similar information obtained in Britain 
France, and America. We have some curious 
instances of this indifference towards 
science, which we have no doubt, will excite 
the surprise of scientific men in Britain and 
France. Dr. McClelland states on the au- 
thority of Dr Buchanan, that when the natural 
and artificial productions of Mysore were re- 
quired to be known, he was directed to make 
esculent vegetables, cattle, farms, cotton, 
pepper, sandle-wood cardamums, mines, 
quarries, minerals, mineral springs, manu- 
factures, climates, seasons and inhabitants, 
the chief objects of his researches. Now 
we are sure it will be conceded even by the 
Honorable Company themselves in the 
nineteenth century, that the list savours 
more of import and export than the love and 
glory of science. But Dr. McClelland 
states that a few years afterwards three 
gentlemen were selected to survey the then 
unexplored source of the Ganges, the only 
instruction they received was to determine 
the Geographical question. 
There is no spot in the world which 
affords such materials for rich mineral and 
organic treasures as British India. The 
strata and sections of the surface of all 
Asia are upon such a grand scale that 
Geology might be studied with infinite 
advantage and without entailing expense 
upon the Government. We would therefore 
strongly urge upon their attention the 
vast importance of giving encouragement 
to individuals who devote their time and 
attention to it. The man who is enthusi- 
astic in its pursuit necessarily makes great 
sacrifices ; he foregoes all comforts ; has to 
contend in a tropical climate with oppres- 
sive heat ; indeed, he devotes his means, 
labor, and time exclusively to such 
research. 
We have often thought that if France had 
been in possession of India, how science 
would have triumphed. Even under her pre- 
sent relation, we will venture to say, with- 
out the fear of contradiction, that her scien- 
tific institutions have attained greater per- 
fection in Indian Geological discovery than 
any of those in Britain. She has sent forth 
repeatedly men of superior attainments with 
this single object. This is so notorious that it 
is scarcely necessary to advert to the circum- 
stance beyond the bare allusion to the fact. 
But we must pass on, not however 
without the expression of deep regret at the 
existence of such heartlessness on the j 
part of the ruling power as has been hitherto 
displayed in the cause of science. Of 
which we shall afford ample proof imme- 
diately. But notwithstanding we altogether 
oppose the following proposition. Our author 
observes that the first great step in improve- 
ment would be the organization of Geologi- 
cal Societies in different parts of India. 
In order to give them practical effect, and 
to deprive them of the character of mere 
amateur societies, their expense should be 
borne by the state, and members thus freed 
from subscribing aught but their labours to 
their support. Libraries, consisting of all 
