Skip to main content

Geology History in Caricatures "Preconceived Opinions vs. Facts"

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


"Scientists should take the science seriously, but they should not take themselves too seriously."

Philippe Blanchard, physicist

Caricatures show a person or behaviour in a simplified, exaggerated or distorted manner. However good caricatures are more than simple drawings, in fact they contain deep and complex insight in our culture and society. This consideration is also true for scientific caricatures, dealing with subjects or persons involved in science and research.


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


The most famous caricatures dealing with geology and palaeontology were produced by the English geologist Henry De la Beche (1796-1855) to lampoon the theories of Charles Lyell and other contemporaries.

But not only Lyell had to deal with the satiric comments of cartoonists, De la Beche himself experienced harsh critics of some of his theories regarding stratigraphy - another part of geology that during the 19th century experienced profound changes.

In 1834 geologist Roderick Impey Murchison affirmed that certain geologic formations predated the appearance of terrestrial plants; however De La Beche found just in these formations some fossils, proving Murchison wrong. Murchison gathered support in the Geological Society and questioned in public De la Beche's ability to identify rock formations, without even bother to look at the fossil plants or the outcrops described by De La Beche.

De La Beche in response produced a cartoon showing him engaged in a debate with his many opponents - to characterize them he added the symbols of prejudices he already used for "Professor Ichthyosaurus", the glasses of theory and the dress of the lawyer, who claims knowledge without experience.

It is interesting to note that De la Beche overlooked the detail that he himself wore glasses (appropriately not shown) - also his hair at the time was already a bit thinner than the picture shows.

Fig.1. The caricature drawn by De la Beche to lampoon his opponents (wearing yet again the spectacles of theory) in the ongoing discussion of the appearance of fossil plants in older geological formations, entitled "Preconceived Opinions vs. Facts" (image in public domain).

De la Beche: "This, Gentlemen, is my Nose."

Critics: "My dear Fellow! - your account of yourself generally may be very well, but as we have classed you, before we saw you, among men without noses, you cannot possibly have a nose."

Bibliography:

LEEDER, M.R: (1998): Lyell's Principles of Geology: foundations of sedimentology. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 143: 95-110

RUDWlCK, M. S. (1975): Caricature as Source for the History of Science: DE LA BECHE'S Anti-Lyellian Sketches of 1831. Isis, Vol. 66 (234): 534-560

RUDWICK, M.J.S. (2008): Worlds before Adam - The Reconstruction of Geohistory in the Age of Reform. The University of Chicago Press: 614

My name is David Bressan and I'm a freelance geologist working mainly in the Austroalpine crystalline rocks and the South Alpine Palaeozoic and Mesozoic cover-sediments in the Eastern Alps. I graduated with a project on Rock Glaciers dynamics and hydrology, this phase left a special interest for quaternary deposits and modern glacial environments. During my research on glaciers, studying old maps, photography and reports on the former extent of these features, I became interested in history, especially the development of geomorphologic and geological concepts by naturalists and geologists. Living in one of the key area for the history of geology, I combine field trips with the historic research done in these regions, accompanied by historic maps and depictions. I discuss broadly also general geological concepts, especially in glaciology, seismology, volcanology, palaeontology and the relationship of society and geology.

More by David Bressan