Sir Charles Lyell, the distinguished geologist, was born at Kinnordy, Forfarshire, Scotland, Nov. 14, 1797. It was at Oxford that his scientific interest was first aroused, and after taking an M.A. degree in 1821 he continued his scientific studies, becoming an active member of the Geological and Linnaean Societies of London. In 1826 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and two years later went with Sir Roderick Murchison on a tour of Europe, and gathered evidence for the theory of geological uniformity which he afterwards promulgated. In 1830 he published his great work, "Principles of Geology: Being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface by References to Causes now in Action," which converted almost the whole geological world to the doctrine of uniformitarianism, and may be considered the foundation of modern geology. Lyell died in London on February 22, 1875. Besides his great work, he also published "The Elements of Geology," "The Antiquity of Man," "Travels in North America," and "The Student's Elements of Geology." _I.--Uniformity in Geological Development_ According to the speculations of some writers, there have been in the past history of the planet alternate periods of tranquillity and convulsion, the former enduring for ages, and resembling the state of things now experienced by man; the other brief, transient, and paroxysmal, giving rise to new mountains, seas, and valleys, annihilating one set of organic beings, and ushering in the creation of another. These theories, however, are not borne out by a fair interpretation of geological monuments; but, on the contrary, nature indicates no such cataclysms, but rather progressive uniformity. Igneous rocks have been supposed to afford evidence of ancient paroxysms of nature, but we cannot consider igneous rocks proof of any exceptional paroxysms. Rather, we find ourselves compelled to regard igneous rocks as an aggregate effect of innumerable eruptions, of various degrees of violence, at various times, and to consider mountain chains as the accumulative results of these eruptions. The incumbent crust of the earth is never allowed to attain that strength and coherence which would be necessary in order to allow the volcanic force to accumulate and form an explosive charge capable of producing a grand paroxysmal eruption. The subterranean power, on the contrary, displays, even in its most energetic efforts, an intermittent and mitigated intensity. There are no proofs that the igneous rocks were produced more abundantly at remote periods. Nor can we find proof of catastrophic discontinuity when we examine fossil plants and fossil animals. On the contrary, we find a progressive development of organic life at successive geological periods.