(!b0 iljc IpemnrD nf 

 SIR WILLIAM EDMOND LOaAN, 



LL.D., F.R.S., F.G.S., 



THIS WORK IS DEDICATED, 



l^J'ot merely as a fitting acknowledgment of his long 

 and successful labours in the geology of those most 

 ancient rocks, first named by him Laurentian, and 

 which have afforded the earliest known traces of the 

 beginning o£ life, but also as a tribute of sincere 

 personal esteem and regard to the memory of one 

 who, while he attained to the highest eminence as a 

 student of nature, was also distinguished by his 

 patriotism and public spirit, by the simplicity and 

 earnestness of his character, and by the warmth of 

 his friendships. 



