PREFACE. 



THIS WORK was written in 1.S21, and it has therefore slept even beyond 

 the Horatian period. I have waited ten years, in the announced hope 

 that some better man would stand forward in the breach, the' repre- 

 sentative of Geological science as it now is: endeavouring also to tempt 

 others to this perilous honour, by the occasional publication of certain 

 portions. I do not see that it has been superseded ; nor that there are 

 any hopes from a longer delay. I did also expect that time would have 

 brought material improvements, through the efforts of the present multi- 

 tude of labourers. I grieve to say that it has scarcely received a 

 valuable addition from this source, and not a single fundamental one. 

 The evidences of Geology have indeed been multiplied ; yet through 

 identical facts only: since I do not perceive that a new one has been 

 added to the Science. This ought not to have been. 



Having already published every thing, derived from my own obser- 

 vation, on which the present attempt is built, these have long been as 

 much the common property as what I have borrowed. "Whether those 

 to whom I have so long left this task, have thought that it could not be 

 executed, or should not be attempted, or whether there be any other 

 reason, it is not for me to conjecture. But he who says that System is a 

 presumptuous title, does not know the meaning of that word ; since it 

 neither implies perfection, nor the pretence to it. It is a view of the 

 actual condition of any Science at the time; and all have had their 

 tentative systems or approximations. Every science now possesses 

 one: yet riot even Astronomy is perfect. 



Systems approach perfection by degrees: and he who produces one, 

 facilitates the production of a better. He also who makes the first 

 attempt is not to be envied: since all are as ready to censure its defects 

 as they are able to see what the author himself points out: choosing to 

 forget that he has done so, while ignorant or neglectful of what has 

 been done and what overcome. The traveller over a solid road knows 



