of the Mineral Kingdom.” 195 
full and explicit than can be found any where else. The pre- 
cepts upon shoading and hushing are the result of much practice : 
the observations and instructions concerning the appearances 
aud symptoms of mines will give satisfaction, and he a sure guide 
to all such as have occasion to consult them; and the local ex- 
amples of the appearances of some yaluable mines may, in the 
course of time, be of great use to society. 
Such historical facts have always been considered as valuable. 
communications. In short, all that is advanced in this imper- 
fect fragment is the fruit of my own observation and experience 3, 
and, therefore, it should be of some value, such productions being 
generally useful to society. 
These two essays upon coal and the metallic mines compose 
the first volume. 
In the second volume I proceed to take a view of the preyail- 
ing strata of Great Britain, and of many interesting phenomena 
of the superficies of our globe. 
The philosophy or natural history of the superficies of the 
globe is an interesting subject to all mankind in a social state. 
Many of the necessaries, and most of the conveniencies of 
life are found either upon or a little within the surface of the 
globe, being the productions of the mineral kingdom; and we 
are obliged to many of the strata for the plenty and excellence 
of our food. 
Lime is of great use to meliorate the soil, and to stimulate or 
excite vegetation ; and the gradual weathering and decomposi- 
tion of the superficies of many other strata, restore and increase 
the soil, which may be in part exhausted-or carried away by 
rains and currents; and if we look upon our houses, and within 
them, we may soon perceive how much we are indebted to the 
mineral kingdom. 
The most remarkable phenomena which present themselves 
to.us upon the surface, and as far as we.penetrate within the sur- 
face of the globe, are remarked and explained in this third part 
under several heads. 
Ist. Ishave taken a view of the prevailing rocks and strata of 
this island, to see which of them are stratified, and which of 
them are not. Qn this head ] haye examined the appearance, 
colours, quality, thickness, regularity, bearing, slope, and course 
of the several classes of strata: J \haye collected a great number 
of interesting facts and local examples ; and Ihave been at great 
pains to select, and to examine particularly such strata as are 
most useful to society. 
2d. J have treated of the stratification of the superficies.of our 
globe by the agency of water. In this disquisition the enlight- 
ened and. candid naturalist will find a considerable number of 
N 2 abstruse, 
