Progress of Science in 1870

Abstract

THE year which has just come to a close has neither been characterised by many new and striking scientific discoveries, nor have any novel applications of Science to ordinary industry and manufacture attracted special attention. The work done has been more a strengthening of that of past years, and a confirming or a disproving of theories and experiments, than the inventing of new ones. In one branch of Science only has any great advance been made, and that, as we shall presently show, we believe to have taken place in Geology. But this advance is one somewhat overlooked at present; but still of so important a character that, when once fully recognised in all its bearings, it may tend to disprove much of the geological teaching of the present day.