TO 
SIR RODERICK IMPEY MURCHISON, G.G.SS., 
F.R.S., MEM. IMP, ACAD. SCI. ST. PETERSBURGH, We., We. 
PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE 
ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, 
Dear Sir Ropvericx, 
T avail myself with much pleasure of the permission 
to dedicate this work to You, as President of the British 
Association, because it owes its origin to a course of 
enquiry suggested by the Geological Section, in which your 
own labours have been so exemplary; and, also, as an 
acknowledgment of the kind interest you have manifested 
in its progress. 
I am, yours most sincerely, 
RicHarp Owen. 
February, 1846. 
