PREFACE. 



more genial to the beginner, than the scientific 

 treatises of more able authors. I shall be satisfied 

 if this little work is soon laid aside for those of 

 higher pretension and greater merit ; and I refer 

 the advanced student to the volumes by Ehren- 

 berg, Pritchard, and Mantell. 



To give an idea of the wonders to be found 

 in this new world, to which I wish to lead 

 the reader, I shall describe one scene amongst 

 the many to be witnessed. My readers must 

 fancy themselves spirits, capable of living in a 

 medium different from our atmosphere, and 

 so pass with me through a wonderful brazen 

 tunnel, with crystal doors at the entrance. 



