into one inseparable system. It shows that life existed before we were; it indicates that life may exist after mankind has ceased to be. Evade and resent as we may the idea of a genetic connection with the lower animals, there is no gainsaying the fact that with them we constitute part and parcel of a great vital plan. They are our life-comrades; they suffer hunger and thirst as we do; they are happy under pleasure, and miserable under pain. Exalted above them by a higher intellect and the gift of moral perception, we are bound to extend to them the humanity of our position; and we err against the Creator's scheme the moment we deal with them otherwise than is indicated by the great law of interdependence which palæontology reveals. And if we are thus led by cosmical considerations to extend mercy to our fellow-creatures, much more are we called upon to exercise it towards our fellow-men. It were a sorry account of our knowledge of the material and vital worlds, and the laws by which they are governed, did we fail to apply it to the material and moral welfare of our race. Vanity and vexation of spirit, did the tree of knowledge ripen no fairer fruit than the pride and boast of knowing! In this way the philosophy of our science ascends above the mere materialities of the earth, and becomes portion of the higher philosophy of the heart and soul.

And now, and in the last place, a word on the spirit in which we should inquire. Geology is at best but a recent science, and its task (as yet but imperfectly performed) is a very wide and difficult one: wide, as embracing a vast field of co-relative science; and difficult, as the objects of research can only be obtained by great labour, are often obscure, and, for the most part, far removed from their producing causes. In this case, though the history of the past be ever attractive, its elimination requires extensive travel and careful research. Guided solely by a desire to

arrive at Truth, our observations must be made with great caution; and even with the utmost care we must often remain contented with mere description-confessing, and not ashamed to confess, that the facts observed are beyond our explanation. To observe without being biased by preconceived theory-to describe accurately so that others may reap the legitimate fruits of our observation-to advance our opinions with humility, where there is so much liability to error-and to deal charitably towards the opinions of others—are duties, without the exercise of which no man can be said to be imbued with the right spirit of geology. It has been nobly said, that "to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly," are the chief requirements of moral duty would the same spirit were ever reverently carried into matters of scientific investigation! It was for the want of these qualities that the early course of geology was so much obstructed; it is still for the neglect of their exercise that so much contention prevails, and that humble honest truth is so often over-ridden by bold-faced ignorance and dogmatism.

Guided by this spirit, and exercising it within her own proper field, a glorious future lies before geology—that future being nothing short of a perfect history of our planet. We say, exercising it within her own proper field; for it cannot be denied that many, assuming to themselves the character of geologists, indulge in speculations for which the science is not fairly accountable. "Theories of the Earth," "Vestiges of Creation," "Untieings of the Geological Knot," "Pre-Adamite Sketches," and "Scriptural Reconciliations," are ever crowding thick upon us— enough to destroy the reputation of any science not founded on the sure and ample bases of Truth and Philosophy. The day for a veritable theory of the World is yet far distant; let us content ourselves in the mean time by labour

ing diligently in the way. The vestiges of vital development are yet but faintly discernible; we shall never trace them to their source and origin under the guidance of a materialistic hypothesis. To attempt, on the other hand, reconciliations of geology with Scripture is to mistake the functions of both-to confound the philosophically ascertainable with what needed to be revealed-the physical with the spiritual, and reason with faith. It has been replied, no doubt, that the Words and the Works of God cannot possibly be at variance. This, however, is a mere dignified nothingism. No rational man ever supposed they could, but men may differ in their interpretation of either, and this makes all the difference. Geology loses by such well-meant but ignorant attempts-theology cannot be a gainer.

Let us then, as geologists, restrict ourselves to our own proper field-the physical evidences of God's working in creation, labouring to comprehend his plan, and from a comprehension of that plan to rise to the higher conception of his will as regards our own place and function in the scheme of vitality. To combine our knowledge of the earth's history as an intellectual attainment with the practical application of its treasures to our material necessities, is a high and important aim; to ascend from this aim to the conception of the whole as an orderly Cosmos, with whose ordainings, physical and vital, our thoughts and actions are inseparably interwoven, is the loftiest attainment —the true philosophy of geology. As yet this height has lain far and dimly before us; and the path of the earlier travellers has been often uncertain and obscure. Light, however, is beginning to crest the mountain-tops, and objects to cast their shadows across the valley below. Yet a little longer, and the sun will attain its meridian, and bathe

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in the light of knowledge all that is permissible and possible to be known. Let us take care, lest by presumptuous generalisation, by illiberality to the opinions of others, by the want of moral courage to avow the truth as it appears to us, or by giving way to unworthy prejudices, we should do aught to retard such a devoutly-to-be-wished-for consummation.

INDEX.