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 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. Adiantites, gigantic fern from Irish Old Red, figured, 93 Ananchytes, characteristic chalk sea-urchin, figured, 145 147 48 Animals, systematic classification of, 57 Annelid burrows, or tracks of marine worms (?), 94 156 Antholites, fossil flowers of the Carboniferous, 105 107 110 18 Cainozoic or "Recent Life" systems of strata, 151 104 94 82 100 102 105 Caulopteris, tree-fern stem of the coal-measures, Centres of creation, for human species, Cephalaspis, characteristic fish of Lower Old Red, Cephalopods of the Oolitic era, various, figured, Cereals, their first appearance, 104 33 216 97 Cephalopods of the chalk, curious configurations of, 147 135 89 152 Coccosteus, characteristic fish of Lower Middle Old Red, Creation, apparent course of, as indicated by Geology, 221 Creation still in progress, 226 Creations, new, how and by what means effected, 194 Cretaceous era, physical and vital features of, 142 Crioceras, characteristic cephalopod of chalk, 147 Crust of the earth, its composition and structure, Ctenoptychius, palatal tooth of carboniferous fish, 111 168 Cuttle-fishes, or naked cephalopods of oolite, 135 |