Geology of England and Wales,” &c. 237 
meet the eye of our divines ; since we know not any other 
work in which these points are exhibited more clearly and 
candidly. 
Upon the whole, we cannot but look upon the work 
whose analysis we have attempted, as among the ablest and 
most interesting the age has produced ; and as exhibiting 
much, which can no where else be found, in a connected 
form. It clears away much of the obscurity that hung over 
some parts of geology ; and brings forward the newer for- 
mations, from the caves of oblivion, where they have too 
long been suffered to lie. We rise from its perusal, with 
an impression, that we are much better qualified to exa- 
mine the rocks around us than before ; while we are more 
sensible, how vast is the field of American Geology, that 
yet remains unexplored. We cannot Aa ooo the accura- 
cy of the local details in this work rom the charac- 
ter of the writers; from their situation in the ‘midst of an 
host of able geologists, who will be jealous of misrepresen- 
tation; and from internal marks of verisimilitude, we place 
much reliance upon their faithfulness. Their freedom 
from doubtful theoretical views is not among the weakest 
of these internal evidences of fidelity. It is astonishing 
how attachment toa particular system will warp the Judg- 
ment ofa geologist in his observations. It has caused ma- 
hy “to see what was not’to be seen ;”’ to discover particu- 
lar strata, where no such strata existed ; to present us with 
maps, and sections, and profiles, that would apply to the 
moon, as well as to the district they were intended to illus- 
i ink by ee 
pressing a wish, that this part of the work, om not should 
‘ 
subject, from the following extract from the wr of 
Bacon ; which they, and the other members o the 
London Geological Scciety, have chosen for their esnips 
Quod si cui mortalium cordi et curae sit, non fantum 1n- 
ventis haerere, atque iis iti, sed ad ulteriora penetrare ; at- 
que non disputando adversarium, sed opere naturam bie 
cere; denique non belle et probabiliter opmart, etal: 
