ABSTRACT
This chapter considers John Phillips' chief and characteristic efforts in polite geology via his research on slaty cleavage, belemnites, glaciation, volcanoes and earthquakes, and regional geology. It examines his contribution to economic geology as a consultant and provides an analysis of his research in archaeology, astronomy, and terrestrial physics, all of which he regarded as cognate with geology. The excursions of 1855 and 1868 allowed Phillips to pursue field work at continental sites famous for their igneous phenomena and culminated in his book on Vesuvius. Phillips was also familiar with the experimental approach to vulcanology adopted by Robert Mallet, an expert on earthquakes who thought that too much attention had been given to chemical analysis of volcanic products. As a geological consultant Phillips acted as an expert witness before government commissions and more frequently as a paid expert employed by individuals, institutions, and firms.
