A comparison of British geological publications over the last century and a half reveals not simply an increasing emphasis on the primacy of research, but also a changing definition of what constitutes an acceptable research paper. Thus, in the nineteenth century, local geological studies represented worthwhile research in their own right; but, in the twentieth century, local studies have increasingly become acceptable to professionals only if they incorporate, and reflect on, the wider geological picture.

　　参考译文

　　把英国最近一个半世纪的地质学刊物作一比较，人们发现，不仅研究的重要性越来越受到强调，而且学术论文的出版标准也在不断地发生变化。因此，在19世纪，局部的地质学研究本身就代表了一种有价值的科研;而到了20世纪，只有在包含或考虑到更广阔的地质面貌时，局部的研究才越来越为专业人员所接受。

　　【小作业】

　　翻译：只有在绝望中寻找希望，人生才能辉煌。