10 Notice of the Wonders of Geology. 



As a work peculiarly adapted to accompany a course of geolog- 

 ical instruction, Dr. Maniell's Wonders of Geology holds a high 

 rank. Its lucid method, with its unit}'', condensation and perspi- 

 cuity, renders it a fit text-book equally for class-recitation, or for 

 private reading, or to illustrate a course of lectures on geology. 

 For its extent, no work, we believe, contains a better summary 

 of geological facts and of geological philosophy. It is not to be 

 regarded, however, as (what some might infer from its title) a 

 mere book of wonders. The most sober account of geology must 

 indeed be replete with wonders ; Dr. Mantell has himself been em- 

 inently successful in setting forth the most remarkable, (and there 

 are none more so than those which he has brought to light,) but his 

 book is to be regarded in a higher view; it is indeed, a very ex- 

 act and comprehensive map of his subject — like other maps, omit- 

 ting details inconsistent with his scale of dimensions, but remark- 

 ably complete for the purpose of the general student, who v/ishes 

 to give to this science the attention which, in proportion to the en- 

 cyclopedia of universal knowledge, it richly merits. It is easy, from 

 such a book of Institutes, to follow the different members of the 

 subject in full detail, and for this purpose there are ample aids in 

 periodical works, reports of geological societies, and in treatises 

 on particular subjects, as well as the general philosophy of the 

 science. 



Mr. Lyell's great work, his Principles of Geology, replete as it 

 is with the most interesting and instructive discussions, would 

 form a good sequel to such a work as Dr. Mantell's, or to Mr. 

 Lyell's own Elements of Geology, an admirable summary for 

 an adept in the science. On both of these works we have ex- 

 pressed our opinions in former volumes of this journal, as well as 

 regarding Mr. Bakewell's now venerable treatise, which, in a fifth 

 edition, still maintains its sway at a period more than a quarter of 

 a century from its first appearance, when geology itself was young. 

 May the respected author, also venerable in years, survive to give 

 a sixth edition of this manly and vigorous work, and as many more 

 as life and power may suffice for preparing. The Manual of Ge- 

 ology of Mr. De La Beche affords excellent details of the com- 

 parative geology of different countries, connected by sound phi- 

 losophical views, which are still further illustrated in his Research- 

 es on Theoretical Geology, not to mention his more recent geo- 

 logical survey of the counties of Devon and Cornwall. The Si- 

 lurian System of Mr. Murchison is a vast store-house of the most 

 valuable and interesting facts, and of the most just deductions. 



