PEEFACE. ix 



and is offered to the public at a reduction of two shillings 

 in price. 



The writer thinks it proper to mention that the whole of 

 the additional wood engravings were drawn, as well as 

 engraved, by Mr. G-. H. Nibbs, with the single exception of 

 the vignette, for which he is indebted to the pencil of Miss 

 Plowman. 



In submitting the volume to the public, the reader is again 

 respectfully reminded that the work is one of the most 

 elementary character, that it is designed merely as an 

 introduction to others of far superior merit, and that the 

 highest objects of the writer will be attained, if, by means 

 of its pages, the reader should become acquainted with the 

 admirable and judicious reasonings of a Buckland, the 

 philosophic speculations of a Lyell, the splendid oratory of 

 a Sedgwick, the fascinating eloquence of a Mantell, the 

 talented writings of a Phillips, the able and energetic 

 researches of a Murchison, the instructive publications of 

 a Pitton, a De la Beche, a Bakewell, and of many, many more, 

 of whom science and literature may be justly proud, and 

 who may be regarded as ornaments to letters and philosophy, 

 and benefactors to the whole family of man. 



