TNTRODUCTION. 17 



blish theories respecting the formation of the earth; these 

 have in great part failed, in consequence of the then 

 imperfect state of those subsidiary sciences, which, within 

 the last half century, have enabled the geologist to return 

 from the region of fancy to that of facts, and to establish his 

 conclusions on the firm basis of philosophical induction. We, 

 now approach the study of the natural history of the globe, 

 aided not only by the higher branches of physics, but bv 

 still more essential recent discoveries, in Mineralogy, and 

 Chemistry, in Botany, Zoology, and comparative Anatomy, 

 By the help of these sciences we are enabled to extract from 

 the archives of the interior of the earth, intelligible records 

 of former conditions of our planet, and to decipher docu- 

 ments, which were a sealed book to our predecessors in the 

 attempt to illustrate subterranean history. Thus enlarged 

 in its views, and provided with fit means of pursuing them 

 Geology extends its researches into regions more vast and 

 remote, than come within the scope of any other physical 

 science except Astronomy. It not only comprehends the 

 entire range of the mineral kingdom, but includes also the 

 history of innumerable extinct races of animals and vegeta- 

 bles ; in each of which it exhibits evidences of design and 

 contrivance, and of adaptations to the varying condition of 

 the lands and waters on which they were placed ; and be- 

 sides all these, it discloses an ulterior prospective accommo- 

 dation of the mineral elements, to existing tribes of plants 

 and animals, and more especially to the uses of man. Evi- 

 dences like these make up a history of a high and ancient 

 order, unfolding records of the operations of the Almighty 

 Author of the Universe, written by the finger of God him- 

 self, upon the foundations of the everlasting hills. 



2* 



