PREFACE 



TO THE 



FIFTH EDITION. 



GEOLOGY, now deservedly one of the most 

 popular and attractive of the physical 

 sciences, was, not many years ago, held in 

 little estimation ; and even at present, there 

 are not wanting some who do not hesitate 

 to maintain, that it is a mere tissue of ill ob- 

 served phenomena, and of hypotheses of 

 boundless extravagance. The work of Cu- 

 VIER now laid before the public, contains in 

 itself not only a complete answer to these ig- 

 norant imputations, but also demonstrates 

 the accuracy, extent, and importance of 

 many of the facts and reasonings of this de- 



