INTRODUCTION, 5 
Dismissing from his mind all preconceived opinions, the 
student must be prepared to learn that the earth’s surface 
has been, and still is, subject to perpetual mutation,—that 
the sea and land are continually changing place,—that what 
is now dry land was cnce the bottom of the deep, and that 
the bed of the present ocean will, in its turn, be elevated 
above the water and become land,—that all the solid mate- 
rials of the globe have been in a softened, fluid, or gaseous 
state,—that the relics of countless myriads of animals and 
plants are entombed in the rocks and strata,—and that 
vast mountain-chains, and extensive regions, are wholly 
composed of the petrified remains of beings that lived and 
died in periods long antecedent to the creation of the human 
‘race. Astounding as are these propositions, they rest upon 
evidence so clear and incontrovertible, that they cannot fail 
to be admitted by every intelligent and unprejudiced reader, 
who will bestow but a moderate share of attention to the 
examination of the phenomena, of which the following pages 
present a familiar exposition. 
I cannot conclude these introductory observations, with- 
out adverting to the incalculable benefits which result from 
scientific pursuits in general, and of Geology in particular. 
An able modern writer has justly remarked :—“ It is fear- 
fully true, that nine-tenths of the immorality which pervades 
the better classes of society, originate from the want of an 
interesting occupation to fill up the vacant time; and as 
the study of the natural sciences is as attractive as it is 
beneficial, it must necessarily exert a moral and even 
religious influence upon the young and inquiring mind. 
The youth who is fond of scientific pursuits will not enter 
into revelry, for frivolous or vicious excitements will have 
no fascination for him. The overflowing cup, the unmeaning 
or dishonest game, will not entice him. If any one doubts 
the beneficial influence of these studies on the morals and 
character, | would ask him to point out the immoral young 
