1822-1824 ] 
BUCKLANDS BLUE BAG. 
85 
met in animated debate. On these occasions Buckland 
would draw from his never absent blue bag specimen 
after specimen to enforce his arguments ; while his quaint 
descriptions would gradually overcome the reserve of his 
learned associates and inspire the circle with the geniality 
of his temper. One of this select band,—which Sir R. 
Murchison loved to call the “ Old Guard of Geology/'—the 
late Rev. Gilbert Heathcote, Subwarden of Winchester, told 
the writer that he well remembered being present on one 
of those evenings and hearing Sir Charles Lyell shatter one 
of Dr. Buckland’s theories. “ The veteran laughed heartily 
at the demolition of his own theory ” by his illustrious 
pupil. This is only one of the many instances of 
Buckland’s large-mindedness and of the heartiness with 
which he always welcomed any opinion which seemed a 
nearer approach to the truth than he had himself (as a 
pioneer) been able to form. Jealousy of those who were 
labouring in the same field with himself was entirely foreign 
to his nature; he placed his stores of learning at the 
service of others, and writers like Murchison and Agassiz 
were indebted to him for the most constant and generous 
aid. It was, it may be mentioned, through Buckland’s 
influence that Murchison adopted the title of “ Siluria ” 
for his book. 
The blue bag was an inseparable companion of Buck¬ 
land’s, and it figures largely in all caricatures of the 
Professor. “ The greatest honour,” he used himself to 
more than educate a Lyell, a Daubeny, and an Egerton, he would 
justly have been placed among the most successful instructors of our 
contemporaries.” 
