THIRD EDITION. XV 



is a whole system of animals in a fossil 

 state different from the present. Even the 

 physiologist, in the various forms, connec- 

 tions, and relations of the parts of those 

 animals, obtains new facts for his descrip- 

 tions and reasonings. Such, then, being the 

 nature of this branch of Natural History, it 

 is not surprising that, when once understood, 

 it should have many and zealous cultivators, 

 and occupy the talents of men of learn- 

 ing and sagacity. In our time, Cuvier, the 

 celebrated Professor of Natural History in 

 Paris, has eminently distinguished himself 

 by his numerous discoveries, accurate de- 

 scriptions, and rational views, on this sub- 

 ject. His great work on Fossil Organic Re- 

 mains, of which a new edition is now in pro- 

 gress, is the most splendid contribution to 

 Natural History furnished by any individual 

 of this age. 



The Essay on the Theory of the Earth, 

 now translated, is the introductory part of 



