PREFACE. XV 



prove this objection to be groundless. I have, as 

 far as the extent of this design would admit, fully 

 endeavoured to point out the connection,, which sub- 

 sists between the objects of our present investigation 

 and those, which lawfully come within the province 

 of the Geologist and Mineralogist. And, indeed, I 

 wish forcibly to impress it on the mind of the stu- 

 dent, that, however extensive or well-arranged his 

 cabinet, the knowledge acquired there of extraneous 

 fossils must ever be defective, unless joined to the 

 study of these bodies in their native repositories. At 

 the same time, it has been my aim to draw a deter- 

 minable line between the direct and collateral parts 

 of the science ; or ( in other words ) between those 

 circumstances which are essential to the arrange- 

 ment and specific discrimination of reliquia, and 

 those wfcich form their mineralogical and geological 

 distinctions. 



In the division of this work, I have given the 

 facts and inferences, forming the basis of the study, 

 in distinct propositions : to these are added such 

 observations, as were thought immediately necessary 

 for illustration : the more extraneous remarks, with 

 references to authors, lists of zoological terms, &c. 

 will be found at the bottom of the page, in the form 

 of notes. 



