neral application of his result, or
connected their former boundaries with any great change in the climatic
conditions of the whole continent. His explanation of the phenomena
rested upon the assumption that the Alps formerly rose far beyond their
present height; their greater altitude, he thought, would account for
the existence of immense glaciers extending from the Alps across the
plain of Switzerland to the Jura. Inexperienced as I then was, and
ignorant of the modes by which new views, if founded on truth, commend
themselves gradually to general acceptation, I was often deeply
depressed by the skepticism of men whose scientific position gave them a
right to condemn the views of younger and less experienced students. I
can smile now at the difficulties which then beset my path, but at the
time they seemed serious enough. It is but lately, that, in turning over
the leaves of a journal, published some twelve or fifteen years ago, to
look for a forgotten date, I was amused to find a formal announcement,
under the signature of the greatest geologist of Europe, of the demise
of the glacial theory. Since then it has risen, phoenix-like, from its
own funeral pile.

Even when I arrived in England, many of my friends would fain have
dissuaded me from my expedition, urging me to devote myself to special
zooelogical studies, and not to meddle with general geological problems
of so speculative a character. "Punch" himself did not disdain to give
me a gentle hint as to the folly of my undertaking, terming my journey
into Scotland in search of moraines a sporting-expedition after
"moor-hens." Only one of my older scientific friends in England, a man
who in earlier years had weathered a similar storm himself, shared my
confidence in the investigations looked upon by others as so visionary,
and offered to accompany me in my excursion to the North of England,
Scotland, and Wales. I cannot recur to that delightful journey without a
few words of grateful and affectionate tribute to the friend who
sustained me by his sympathy and guided me by his knowledge and
experience.

For many years I had enjoyed the privilege of personal acquaintance with
Dr. Buckland, and in 1834, when engaged in the investigation of fossil
fishes, I had travelled with him through parts of England and Scotland,
and had derived invaluable assistance from his friendly advice and
direction. To him I was indebted for an introduction to all the
geologists and palae