The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-25
FASCINATING GEOLOGY.
A Study That stirs the Imagination and
the Wonder of Man.

Some idea of the fascination of the study
of geology is conveyed by a London Times
leading article apropos of the centenary OF
the Geological Society, which was recently
celebrated in London.
perhaps the greatest era in the history
Of geology" writes the Times, was that
in which the cataclysmic conception of
terrestrial changes gave place to a belief
that such changes had, in large part at
least. been gradual and continuous, and
produced by the slow operation of causes
still in activity in all parts of the globe.
The cataclysmic conception had its origi-
nal source, no doubt, in the Biblical mar
rative of the deluge, and in the extent to
which the highly figurative language of
that narrative had been impressed upon
the minds of many generations of men. 1t
would naturally be supported by the phe-
nomena of earthquakes and of volcanic
eruptions; phenomena visibly and even
startlingly productive of great local
changes. and seeming to afford at least
possible or conceivable explanations of all
other changes which had preceded Them.
1T gradually came to be perceived that
these great and startling events were
really Insignificant, both In their character
and in their extent, when they were COM
pared with those wrought by the simple
Influence of weather, by the splintering
of rock surfaces by the freezing of water
within c~revices, by the de~nudation occa-
| stoned by rainfall and to be noted, by
those who are observant, in the turbidity
of every streamlet after a shower, by the
Il RIaQudl conveyance VI liver Hluu 10 IuC
| bed of the ocean, and by the alterations
of land and water shown by fossil re-
mains to have occurred, not once only but
frequently, in many parts of the globe.
The fascination exercised by the pursuit
of thus tracing back the lines of natures
h~andiwork has been strongly felt by many
of the greatest intellects of the century,
and hence 1t has followed that geology has
been studied with an ardor which, in spite
of the comparative newness Of the pursuit,
has already placed 1t in the front ranks
of contemporary science.
t"Those WHO are insensible to its fasci-
! Nat esss,s or who are Ignorant Of the truths
which 1t has revealed, have often been
disposed to deny or to dispute its utility,
and to think that the time devoted to 1t
might have been better employed. 1t
might be sufficient to say that geology
furnishes thesknowledge which is essential
to the economical and successful extrac-
ton Of the mineral treasures Of the earth,
of the coal and iron which have done so
much to create and foster the prosperity of
England, or, as Professor w. J. Sollas of
oxford put it in his address. that 1t has
conducted water to our thirsty cities, has
commerce. and has discovered diamonds to
aGorn the fair.
but these things. he declared, were sub
ordinate to the ~endeavors of the society to
foster right thinking on the mysterious
problems presented by the planet on which
we dwell, and in this great conception OF
It's work he will command the assent of all
who recognize what has been in past time
the effect of right thinking upon human
history. and it's influence in raising man
kind to the leve. which its most civilized
representatives have now attained, and
from which they look forward to still fur
have seldom heen stimulated by mere utili-
tarianism. but, as a matter of fact, utility
has followed in their footsteps wherever
these have been directed