HISTORY OF EDINBURGH LITHOLOGY-Bulmer and Atkinson-Sibbald ---Sinclair-Hutton-Play fair - Hall-Allan — Greenock-Walker- Origin of the Picturesque Sceneryaround Edinburgh-Valleys, Ridges, Bays, and Nesses-Valleys of Abrasion and their Bifurcation-Rivers, Remains of Abrasion-Effects of Floods-Examples of Rubbed and Scratched Surfaces--Deceptive Appearances-Crumpled Surfaces- Reluctance of Observers to study the recent Deposits-Classification of the matter resting on the Dressed Surfaces-The Staple of Walker —Diluvium and Alluvium of Phillips and Conybeare-Diluvial, Anti- diluvial, and Post-diluvial of Buckland, Eocene, Miocene, Older Plio- cene, and Newer Pliocene of Lyell-Superficial deposits of Mr Home, Divisions of the Strata of the Modern Epoch-Taragmite series- Akumite series-Silt-Drift-peat, Sand, and Gravel-Organic Re- mains of Plants and Animals-Chalk Flints-Marine or Lacustrine MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. 1785 TO 1810. Birth and Parentage-Mother's Wish-Natural History-College Days-Edinburgh in 1802-Revival of Science-Chemistry and Mineralogy— Flora of Linlithgowshire-Wernerian Society-Bressay-Sir John Sinclair-Mineralogy of Orkney and Zetland-Ministerial work and Science -The Narwal-Sir Joseph Banks-Contributions to British Fauna. THE chief events in the life of the scholar and the man of science are found in the publication of works, through which they either guide the thinkers of their age to fresh objects of knowledge, or explain to the world discoveries by which the manifold wisdom of God in creation is set in new lights, and the social comfort of mankind increased. In the following outline-sketch of Dr FLEMING'S life, I wish mainly to indicate the character and value of his labours in the several departments of natural science to which the energies of his best years were devoted. As these were closely associated with the events of his domestic circle, and with the friendships of social life—as they were influenced by these, and, in their turn, influenced them at one point and another-it has seemed expedient to look at them together. Such incidents will thus serve as links by which to connect his various and influential labours as a student, as an author, and as a teacher of science. JOHN FLEMING was born in 1785 at Kirkroads, a small farm near Bathgate, Linlithgowshire. He was the son of Mr a Alexander Fleming and of Catherine Nimmo. Both parents were noted in the neighbourhood for industry, intelligence, and Christian worth. The elder Fleming was one of a class not so numerous now in Scotland as it was forty years ago. The gradual introduction of the large farm system has greatly altered the social condition of rural districts. In the house of a working farmer, like that in which Professor Fleming passed his youth, there was much to call forth the energies of the younger members of the household. Master and servant stood much nearer each other in kindly sympathies than they do now. They sat by the same hearth, partook together of the same fare, and in field labour worked earnestly together for the common good. While this sphere had its drawbacks to a child smitten with a love of learning, it was yet well fitted to develop energy and self-reliance. Young Fleming's disposition was marked by the outstanding moral features of both parents. Like his father he was active, painstaking, persevering, industrious, and, it must be added, a good deal given to sarcastic remark in his intercourse with his fellows. Like his mother he had strong religious sentiments, much decision of character, and a faithfulness to religious convictions which, as shall be seen, circumstances could not even modify. Mrs Fleming had early desired that John should be led to look forward to the Christian ministry as a profession; and as he grew up she carefully sought to give direction to his young mind. With this view he was sent to College. But even after he had spent several years in academical studies, his strong love for natural history seemed about to blight the hopes of his earnest-hearted mother. He was offered work, believed to be more in harmony than the Christian ministry with his love for science. Straitened circumstances also, brought about by his father's loss of means from the failure of a local private bank, made him anxious to engage at once in remunerative labour. His mother interfered. When alone with him one day, she handed to him her pocket bible, told him to go out to the hill side and read the verses she had marked. The Word which was her counsellor and guide became his. The passages pointed out to him had answered his thoughts, and their careful perusal decided his choice of a profession. But her joy was not unmixed, for in choosing, he resolved to leave the Dissenting denomination to which she was zealously attached, and to enter the Divinity Hall of the Established Church. She accepted the choice, however, but long continued to hope that John might be won back again to "The Testifying Body," as the Old Light Dissenters loved to be characterised. At the age of seventeen, Mr Fleming attended, as an enthusiastic student, the class of chemistry and pharmacy in the Edinburgh University. At that time Professor Hope was in the prime of life. Gracefully, yet vigorously, as a lecturer able to keep alive that intense interest with which his greatly distinguished and original-minded predecessor, Dr Black, had invested his favourite science. A year before, Dr Chalmers had attended the same class, for the gratification of those strong scientific tastes which attracted him to Fleming in after years, and led to a life-long friendship. To a mind like Mr Fleming's, Edinburgh at that time presented peculiar attractions. Black's discoveries and his methods of chemical research were fresh in the minds of students. Robison taught with profound ability and with great success the class of natural philosophy. The two Thomsons were throwing into their lectures on chemistry the fascinations of the new method. Hope was attracting hundreds of young men to his class-room. Hutton's 'Theory of the Earth "* had been seventeen years before the public, and was becoming more fruitful than it had yet been in interesting the minds of geologists, and in leading to discussions, every one of which forwarded physical truth. And Stewart, who was very much to moral philosophy what Hope was to chemistry, both being the graceful interpreters of the profound systems of their great masters, was with easy grace beguiling many thoughtful young minds over to a thorough affection for the Scottish philosophy. 66 *The first part of the "Theory" was read to the Royal Society by Dr Black, on the year of Fleming's birth, 1785; and from F. it received its earliest and hardest hits in "The Wernerian." |