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PREFACE. 



THE importance of the sciences of Astronomy and Geology, 

 is acknowledged by every one. Few, however, find sufficient 

 leisure to bestow upon these subjects much attention. They look 

 upon the ponderous tomes which men of science have from time 

 to time prepared, with a sort of indifference, as too learned for 

 them. And yet, show any of these, a curious star in the 

 heavens ; tell them of the wonders revealed by the telescope; ex- 

 hibit to them, the impression of a fish in sandstone, or chalk; or 

 show them through a microscope, the curious and distinctive 

 structure of fossil teeth, or the infusoria in a fragment of flint ; 

 and they will give willing attention. Since, then^ the subjects 

 themselves are so interesting, so profitable, and withal harmless, 

 we have endeavored with what success will hereafter appear 

 to supply a desideratum long felt. The object of the present 

 volume is to present in a popular manner, so much of Astrono- 

 my, Meteorology, and Geology, as seemed desirable for everyone 

 to know. While no pretensions are made to scientific accuracy, 

 yet it is believed that the book will be found worthy of an atten- 

 tive perusal. There is little to be gained by merely glancing here 

 and there at a page; the knowledge thus obtained, if any, will be 

 small, and soon lost. The attentive reader will, if the book be 

 worth perusing at all, find sufficient to amply repay for the time 

 thus spent. It should hardly be necessary for any one at this late 

 day, to offer an apology in behalf of Geological studies, because 

 of the fancied contradictions to the Mosaic chronology. Writers on 

 this subject heretofore, have spent no little pains, in what we may 

 well term, endeavoring to "make darkness visible." So apolo- 

 gies were once offered fof Astronomy, when that noble science 

 taught the diurnal and annual motions of the earth. We have 

 felt called upon to make no such apology, but simply to state the 



