

PREFACE. 



IMPELLED by that eager curiosity, which a view of the remains of 

 a former world must excite in every inquisitive mind, the writer 

 of the following sheets, long and earnestly, sought for information, 

 respecting these wonderful substances, from every source to which 

 he could obtain access. But considerable impediments to his 

 inquiries arose from his being able to derive so little aid, speaking 

 comparatively, from such works as have been published in this 

 country : since although these subjects have engaged the attention 

 of several gentlemen, well qualified for their investigation ; yet the 

 publications with which they have favoured the world, have chiefly 

 been detached essays, on some particular fossils only. He, therefore, 

 found himself under the necessity of having continual recourse to 

 the more general observations, which are to be found in the writings 

 of the learned of Italy, France, and Germany ; the valuable col- 

 lection of which, in the British Museum, he was happy in being 

 enabled to consult, with all the advantages which the kindness of 

 the officers of that noble institution could yield. 



Considering that, as similar difficulties must occur to others, a 

 publication would be acceptable, which should comprise, in the 

 general history of these bodies, the more important observations. 



