Vlll " PREFACE. 



for, I have tried to preserve the strictest impartiality; in the 

 case of controversial matters which have already arrived at a 

 solution, I have limited myself to the objective attitude of the 

 historian. 



The original works of reference are cited at the conclusion 

 of each chapter, and will prove useful to the more special 

 student of the subject. 



Whether I have succeeded in the difficult task of writing 

 a History of Geology and Palaeontology that will satisfy the 

 specialist and also commend itself to every man of culture, 

 must be left for my readers to decide. 



KARL A. VON ZITTEL. 



MUNICH, June 1899. 



