T 



Notices respecting New Books. 439 



differ only in structure, — but which sometimes bear a less ob- 

 vious resemblance to the trap ; and, from exhibiting transi- 

 tions from that rock to those which compose the regular strata, 

 are probably the latter, more or less changed by contiguity 

 with the trap. 



LXXV. Notices respecting New Books. 



Illustrations of the Geology of Sussex: containing a General View of 

 the Geological Relations of the South-Eastern Part of England p 

 with Figures and Descriptions of the Fossils of Tilgate Forest. By 

 Gideon Mantell, F.R.S., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons,. 

 «rc. &;c. London, 1827. 4to. pp. 92. Plates XXII. and a Map. 

 HE author of this work has set an example to men of a scientific 

 turn of mind resident in districts of the country of particular in - 

 terest in a geological point of view, which we hope to see extensively an d 

 zealously followed. We allude to his careful and minute investigaticm 

 of the strata and organic remains occurring in his vicinity in Sussex, 

 which he has communicated to the public in his former work on the 

 Geology of Sussex, as well as through the medium of some other pub- 

 lications, and now also in the volume before us. Anticipating gri^at 

 improvements in geological science from the detailed examination ot 

 formations by those who, living on the spot, can devote much m-ore 

 time and attention to them than other geologists who may visit th.em 

 are able ordinarily to bestow, we should wish that every important 

 assemblage of strata in our island had its respective local inquirer ; 

 who, bringing the general ascertained facts of the science to bear upon 

 the peculiar phaenomena of his own district, might obtain results re- 

 ciprocally illustrating those general facts, with the same success that 

 has attended the active labours of Mr. Mantell. 



In the preface to this work it is stated, that although but four years 

 have elapsed since the publication of the author's former volume , yet 

 the new and important facts that have subsequently been established, 

 render a different classification of tiie strata indispensible ; and the 

 adoption also, in some instances, of a new nomenclature. He has 

 therefore found it necessary to take a general view of the geological 

 relations of the whole county ; and although a repetition of som(3 por- 

 tions of the first volume has thereby been rendered unavoidable, yet 

 the whole subject is placed before the reader in a more interesting and 

 intelligible point of view, than could possibly have been obtained by 

 any other arrangement. The interest of Mr. Mantell's formei; work, 

 however, is not by this means diminished ; for that contains, he states, 

 a more extended description of the Fossils of the Chalk Formation than 

 any other publication ; and it is also a record of numerous facts re- 

 lating to the geologv of the South of England. The present work 

 consists of two parts,'the first of which contains a comprehensive view 

 of the geological relations of the county of Sussex, and the adjoining 

 parts of Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent ; the second part is occupied by 

 descriptions of the organic remains in the strata of Tilgate Forest. 



The following tabular arrangement of the strata of Sussex, with 

 which the first division of the work commences, will convey a correct 

 idea of tlie subject, and at the same time evince the precision of 

 Mr. Mantell's investigations. " j'^/'c 



