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CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



A Collection of Geological Facts and Practical Observations, intended ta 

 elucidate the Formation of the Ashby Coal-field, in the parish of 

 Ashhy-de-la-Zouch, and the neighbouring districts j being the result 

 of forty years' experience and research, by Eldward Mammatt, 

 F. G. S., illustrated by a map and profiles, coloured sections of the 

 stratification, and one hundred and two plates of vegetable fossils 

 after drawings taken from nature. Royal 4to. Aahby-de-la- 

 Zouch and London, 1834. 



Mr. Mammatt's " collection,'' we foresee, will occupy a distinguished 

 position throughout all future ages, among the best contributions of 

 intellect and experience to the advancement of geology and its mineralo- 

 gical branches. The importance of his " Facts" is inestimable ; the 

 practical value of his "Observations" extraordinary; the lithographic 

 departments of his book are good ; the typography exquisite. Havin"^ 

 said this much in perfect sincerity, we proceed to furnish our readers 

 with an analytical view of Mr. M.'s volume, for the purpose of enabling 

 them to form an independent judgment of its excellences,- and, in 

 doing this, we propose to retrace the author's original arrangement into 

 twelve chapters, preceded by a section consisting of valuable introductory 

 observations. 



Introduction. — Mr. M. opens this with shewing how geological theories 

 have generally been of little use to practical miners, by evidences which 

 accord completely with reason and experience. He then demonstrates, 

 in a manner remarkable for its perspicuity and effect, the advantages of 

 keeping systematic records of every phenomenon observed in the 

 excavation of shafts and in mines. Next, the coal-field and its borders 

 are graphically delineated by him, and the ancient town of Ashby-de-la- 

 Zouch is pointed out as a central and comfortable situation, from which 

 the geology of its district may be conveniently investigated. We learn, 

 at p. 8, that this field includes an area of nearly forty thousand square 

 acres, the surface of which is exceedingly diversified with hill and 

 valley, giving rise to a particular salubrity of climate. It contains no 

 lime-stone, nor rocky formations, except those which usually accompany 

 the coal-measures. By calculation, Mr. M. affords us the cheering 

 assurance that the Ashby coal-field is capable of yielding ffty thousand 

 tons of coal annually (the present estimated consumption) for ten thousand 

 years. 



We pass, but recommend for perusal, our author's description of the 

 drainage of this singular field, and also his proofs of denudations having 

 taken place in its stratification, after its constituent strata themselves 

 were deposited. His theory of the generation of ** ground ice" is 

 original and surprisingly ingenious. It may excite astonishment or 

 incredulity in some naturalists ; but, its validity cannot possibly be 

 aflfected by mere woids or fancies engendered in the hot-bed of a vivid 

 or undisciplined imagination. Mr. M. concludes his preliminary state- 

 ments, with a train of eloquent reflections on the operation of a gradually 

 retiring deluge upon the dislocated structures of the globe ; and, with 

 the force of self-evident testimony, he wins our willing admission of the 

 fact — that Moses was a man endowed with the noblest intellect, and 

 possessed of a mind replete with the richest stores of useful and orna« 

 mental knowledge. 



