10 Notice of the Wonders of Geology. 
As a work peculiarly adapted to accompany a course of geolog- 
ical instruction, Dr. Mantell’s Wonders of Geology holds a high 
rank. Its lucid method, with its unity, condensation and perspi- 
cuity, renders it a fit text-book equally for class-recitation, or for 
private reading, or to illustrate a course of lectures on geology. 
For its extent, no work, we believe, contains a better summary 
of geological facts and of geological philosophy. It is not to be 
regarded, however, as (what some might infer from its title) @ 
mere book of wonders. The most sober account of geology must 
indeed be replete with wonders; Dr. Mantell has himself been em- 
inently successful in setting forth the most remarkable, (and there 
are none more so than those which he has brought to light, ) but his 
book is to be regarded in a higher view ; it is indeed, a very ex- 
act and comprehensive map of his subject—like other maps, omit- 
ting details inconsistent with his scale of dimensions, but remark- 
ably complete for the purpose of the general student, who wishes 
to give to this science the attention which, in proportion to the en- 
cyclopedia of universal knowledge, it richly merits. Itis easy, from 
such a book of Institutes, to follow the different members of the 
subject in full detail, and for this purpose there are ample aids in 
periodical works, reports of geological societies, and in treatises 
on particular subjects, as well as the ew philosophy of the 
science. 
Mr. Lyell’s great work, his Principles of Gocloes: replete as it 
is with the most interesting and instructive discussions, would 
form a good sequel to such a work as Dr. Mantell’s, or.to Mr. 
Lyell’s own Elements of Geology, an admirable summary for 
an adept in the science. On both of these works we have ex- 
pressed our opinions in former volumes of this journal, as well as_ 
regarding Mr. Bakewell’s now venerable treatise, which, in a fifth 
edition, still maintains its sway at a period more than a quarter of 
acentury from its first appearance, when geology itself was young. 
May the respected author, also venerable in years, survive to give 
a sixth edition of this manly and vigorous work, and as many more 
as life and power may suffice for preparing. The Manual of Ge- 
ology of Mr. De La Beche affords excellent details of the com- 
parative geology of different countries, connected by sound phi- 
‘ical views, which are still further illustrated in his Research- 
es on Theoretical Geology, not to mention his more recent geo- 
logical survey of the counties of Devon and Cornwall. The Si- 
lurian System of Mr. Murchison is a vast store-ho f the most 
valuable and interesting = and of the most just uctions. 
