354f BakexvelUs Introduction to Geology. 



system of the universe. With the Wernerian system were 

 mixed up various crude speculations, respecting the formation 

 of rocks, which were in direct opposition to all the known 

 properties of matter. Thus it was stated that the rocks and 

 strata which form the surface of the globe, though composed 

 of insoluble matter, were once all dissolved in the ancient 

 ocean, and that this ocean after it had deposited a small part 

 of its contents, was capable of supporting animal life. For 

 some years after the commencement of the present cen- 

 tury, the doctrine of Werner was (with a few exceptions) 

 generally maintained in this country, and those who dared to 

 dissent from it were considered as dangerous heretics. The 

 Wernerian system derived much of its strength from the 

 circumstance, that most geological writers went for their 

 illustrations to Germany or countries more remote, and the 

 reader had no opportunity of verifying or disproving their 

 accuracy. The distinguishing character of Mr. Bakewell's 

 Introduction to Geology, when it first appeared in 1813, was, 

 that the illustrations of the principles of the science were 

 chiefly taken from situations in our own island, which were 

 accessible to the readers ; he also openly attacked many of 

 the glaring errors of the Wernerian system. The second 

 edition contained a more ample account of English geolog}^, 

 and was favourably received both in this country and on the 

 Continent; it was translated into German, and published at 

 Friburg, the seat of Werner's labours and celebrity. The 

 distinguishing character of the present enlarged edition of the 

 Inty^oduction to Geology, consists in the particular illustrations 

 of geology, by comparisons of the rock formations in England 

 with those in France, Switzerland, and Savoy, which the 

 author has examined. It contains also a concise but clear 

 account of the numerous discoveries of the bones of new- 

 genera and species of quadrupeds, found in the secondary and 

 tertiary strata, which have recently given much additional 

 interest to the study of geology. 



The first chapter, which is introductory, treats chiefly on 

 what may be regarded as belonging to Physical Geography : 

 the form and density of the earth ; the proportion of the land 

 and water; and the great changes which the surface of the 

 globe appears to have undergone, as indicated by the fossil 

 remains of marine animals, imbedded in solid rocks at the 

 height of many thousand feet above the present level of the 

 sea. What the author particularly presses on the attention 

 of the student is, the order in which the fossil remains are 

 distributed, as proving that each stratum in which they are 

 contained was once the uppermost solid part of the globe, 



