THE 
AMERICAN 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 
Art. I.—WNotice of the gees of Geology, by Ginron Aterr- 
non Mayrett, LL. D. F. R.S., author of the Geology of the 
South East of England, &c. Ae: in two vols. large 12mo., 
pp. 858. First American from the third London edition, 
Tue rapid progress of geology is evinced, in no way so strik- 
ingly, as in the great increase, within the present century, of val- 
uable works upon this noble science. ‘Travellers of high qualifi- 
cations now give us the results of their geological observations in 
many countries, and their researches being amply illustrated in 
many instances by maps and drawings, their works are thus ren- 
dered intelligible, both to the learned and those who have not 
been trained in science. 
Even in popular travels, it is not uncommon to find important 
geological descriptions more or less extended—in paragraphs, in 
sections or chapters. In consequence of the habit of observation 
now so generally established, a rich reward is thus presented to 
the traveller, eet in Saige woe ® man a hale ree bana and 
nature much. — 
The same remark is apihioente? ‘to other rinihies of Natural 
History, and it is obvious, that he who is acquainted with alt of 
them need never be without sources of rational enjoyment, while 
he is amassing treasures for the advancement of science. In geol- 
ogy, many excellent local descriptions have, within a few years 
appeared. Vast magazines of knowledge are garnered in the 
Transactions of the Geological Societies of London, of Paris and 
of other countries. 
~ Many of the scientific Journals abound with geological facts ; 
and numerous elementary treatises, of = value, now place dis 
Vol. xxx1x, No. 1.—April-June, 1840. 
