REVIEWS. 



Transactions of the Geological Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I., Part 2. 

 Philadelphia : James Kay and Brother. 



Our brethren across the Atlantic, with that shrewdness and foresight which 

 enters largely into their national character, are wisely anticipating the advantages 

 which, as a flourishing commercial people, they will derive from an intimate 

 acquaintance with the geological history of their own country. In many of the 

 United States, geological surveys are going forward, encouraged by the immediate 

 sanction, or even active co-operation of the legislature ; and judging from what 

 has already been effected, the completion of these important undertakings will not 

 be retarded by any lack of spirit and energy on the part of the government, or 

 from a want of competency among those who have volunteered their services in 

 the cause. Three or four years hence, and a considerable portion of the new world 

 will be before us with its geological relations familiarly laid down in colours, or as 

 minutely detailed in black and white, as are now (thanks to the industry and per- 

 severance of British geologists) those of our own island. 



There is something at first almost startling to the imagination, in contemplat- 

 ing a task so arduous as that of working out the geological features of the vast 

 continent of North America. Difficult, however, as the attempt may appear, the 

 undertaking is not one beset with insurmountable obstacles. The ground, it is 

 true, may be untrodden, but he who ventures to explore it is not without a beacon 

 to direct his steps. The American geologist has a course of investigation before 

 him, in which the modus operandi is already determined. On entering the field of 

 inquiry, a track that has been beaten elsewhere points out to him the line of 

 research which he must adopt. The rocks in this country will be, as it were, the 

 stepping-stones to the mountain-ranges in his own ; and while traversing the deep 

 ravines and boundless plains of that extensive region, he will not be unmindful of 

 the benefits conferred on science through the patient industry and unflinching 

 zeal which animated Smith, or fail to appreciate the true spirit of philosophy 

 which prompted the labours of Coneybeare or Greenhough. 



The work now before us is the second part of the first volume of transactions, 

 published by the Geological Society of Pennsylvania : a Society established in 

 1832, at that time consisting of only seven individuals, but which now enrolls on 

 its list of supporters more than 200 resident or corresponding members. 



It is with feelings of the most lively interest that we observe the name of 

 our countryman, Richard Cowling Taylor, as one of the leading contributors to 

 the present volume. Six years have now elapsed since this enterprising geologist 



