12 OU'M IM s 01 i ii LD-GEOLO 



featureless country obtain a sei ctt \\liih \\iil 



enable him t<> reason as to the history of the region, 

 and to decide whether the plain i. formed by the 



11, or on the floor of some ancient lake, or perchance 

 on the bed of the 



Where, however, numerous openings, either natural or 

 artificial, expose the strata underneath, the observer 

 be at no loss for abundant material for profitable 

 work. Should some of these strata be eminently fossil i 

 ferous, that is, crowded with the remains of OIK e living 

 plants or animals, they will almost certainly attract his 

 earliest attention. 1'robably most people are led to the 

 study of geology by first becoming interested in the 

 organic remains which they can collect for t! 

 carry home as " specimens," and afterwards thoughtfully 

 question as to their structure and history. No doubt 

 the mere gathering of fossils is the first and final 

 achievement of a very large proportion of enthu 

 beginners. Even, however, if the pursuit has had no 

 other advantage than that of affording ample exerc 

 the open air, it is perhaps not less beneficial than many 

 of the time-honoured forms of out-of-door recreation. 



But a man may gain much more than healthful am 

 ment from fossil-hunting. He begins, let us suppose, by 

 trying to get hold of as many varieties, and as perfect 

 specimens as he can find by the most patient sear* h. 

 Hut the mere pleasure of the pursuit soon begets a desire 

 to know more about the fossils. If they are plants, the 

 collector strives to ascertain their names, and may be 

 content perhaps if he can write upon them their proper 

 Latin or Greek appellations. Possessed, however, of a 



