INTRODUCTION. 



THE spirited disposition repeatedly manifested by the 

 publishers, has induced me to furnish an article for their 

 New- York impression of Professor Jameson's edition of 

 the Chevalier Cuvier's Theory of the Earth. A work 

 composed under peculiar advantages by a happy genius 

 in France, comes to us, recommended and improved by 

 the talents of a leading naturalist in Scotland. I should 

 be proud to accompany those illustrious men on a tour 

 through the United States. 



For myself, it becomes to state some of the opportuni- 

 ties, which have prepared me for so serious an under- 

 taking. 



While I resided in Paris, I endeavoured to acquire as 

 much information as possible from the admirable institu- 

 tions there. But, the present constellation of science, 

 had not then risen. 



During several visits to London I became an industri- 

 ous visiter to the museums, libraries, galleries, and even 



41 



