334 Analysis of Scientific Books and Memoirs. 



and equal to the finest flint-glass we have seen. We have also exa- 

 mined with the microscope the sand itself when washed, and are satisfied 

 that it is entirely free of all foreign matter. 



This discovery is of great importance to the glass manufacturers of Scot- 

 land, and we trust that this respectable body will evince their gratitude 

 to Mr Bald for the great benefit which he has conferred upon them. 



Art. XXXI.— ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC BOOKS AND 



MEMOIRS. 



I. Considerations on Volcanos, — the Probable Causes of their Phenomena, — 



the Laius which Determine their March, — the Disposition of their Pro- 

 ■ ducts, — and their Connection with the present State and past History of 



the Globe ; Leading to the Establishment of a New Theory of the Earth. 



By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq. Secretary to the Geological Society. 



London> 1825. 



Although geology has of late years been cultivated by men of genuine 

 talents, and has now begun to assume the form of a science, yet it has 

 not been entirely wrested from the dominion of the Charlatans. This 

 numerous and thriving race, after being driven from the domains of natu- 

 ral philosophy, and, more recently, from those of chemistry, found a hos- 

 pitable shelter among the strongholds and obscurities of geological specula- 

 tion. No sooner was the barbarous vocabulary acquired from a few 

 lectures, than every valley came under the surveillance of a philosophical 

 surveyor. Its strata, both visible and invisible, were speedily pourtrayed 

 in all the prismatic tints ; the process by which the Almighty made it 

 was soon discovered, and our young geologist appeared before the pub- 

 lic with this magna charta of his claims to be enrolled among the sages of 

 his country. The transactions of our scientific bodies, and all the nume- 

 rous records of wisdom, were filled with these precious compositions ; and 

 the republic of letters was threatened with a second deluge from the 

 aqueous vapour which was thus suddenly precipitated upon her territory. 



From the recollection of such things, it is refreshing to contemplate 

 geology and mineralogy under their new aspect. Men of genius and science 

 have entered upon these delightful studies ; men of fortune have journeyed 

 into distant lands to explore their mysteries ; and the various attainments 

 of modern research have been called into requisition to illustrate the struc- 

 ture and formation of our globe. 



The work of which we propose at present to give a copious analysis, is one 

 of those excellent productions which appear at very distant intervals, and give 

 a new tone to scientific inquiry. Mr Poulett Scrope has not only enjoyed 

 numerous opportunities of studying many of the grand operations which 

 he describes, but he has exercised unusual diligence in making himself 

 acquainted with the facts and reasonings of our most eminent geological 

 travellers. When wc say, that this work was written after visiting the 



