In Search of Russian Soil: The Geology of Russia in Europe and the Ural Mountains

Sadly, one book that will not be found on Boris's shelves - nor that of our local library in England - is a copy of "The Geology of Russia in Europe and the Ural Mountains" by Roderick Impey Murchison (main author), Edouard de Verneuil and Count Alexander von Keyserling, published in London and Paris, 1845. For although Murschison presented a copy to the Worcestershire Natural History Society, this was recently sold by the County Council ; along with a first edition of Malthus's Essay on Population, which fetched £52 000. A memorial stone to Murchison in the Russian city of Perm is shown above.

The themes of soil and population in the present day contexts of Russia and England do, however, make for some interesting reflection. For whilst it is questionable whether England's present population is sustainable, that of Russia has declined significantly in recent years. Could a modern Rouble - or perhaps Euro - equivalent of the "Ten Pound Pom" therefore be a possibility in the light of projected increases in the English population. I'm sure our nineteenth century intellectual ancestors would have something more sensible to say on this subject, having both a spiritual and practical outlook, than the supposed cultural and environmental custodions of the present age.