viii PREFACE. 



cited a spirit of inquiry which rapidly spread 

 throughout the Empire ; and now Great Bri- 

 tain presents to the scientific world a scene 

 of geological acuteness, activity, and enter- 

 prise, not surpassed in any other country. 



On the Continent the writings of CUVIER, 

 distinguished equally by purity and beauty 

 of style, and profound learning, have proved 

 eminently useful in aiding the progress of 

 Geology. In this country CUVIER was first 

 made known as a geologist by the publication 

 of the present essay, which, from its unexam- 

 pled popularity, has made his name as fami- 

 liar to us as that of the most distinguished 

 of our own writers. 



ROBERT JAMESON. 



COLLEGE MUSEUM, EDINBURGH, 

 25th November 1826. 



