THE 



AMERICAN 

 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 



Art. I. — 'Notice of the Wonders of Geology, hy Gideon Alger- 

 non Mantell, LL. D. F. R. S., author of the Geology of the 

 South East of England, &c. &c. ; in two vols, large 12mo., 

 pp. 858. First American from the third London edition. 



The rapid progress of geology is evinced, in no way so strik- 

 ingly, as in the great increase, within the present century, of val- 

 uable works upon this noble science. Travellers of high qualifi- 

 cations now give us the results of their geological observations in 

 many countries, and their researches being amply illustrated in 

 many instances by maps and drawings, their works are thus ren- 

 dered intelligible, both to the learned and those who have not 

 been trained in science. 



Even in popular travels, it is not uncommon to find important 

 geological descriptions more or less extended — in paragraphs, in 

 sections or chapters. In consequence of the habit of observation 

 now so generally established, a rich reward is thus presented to 

 the traveller, especially in regions, where man has done little, and 

 nature much. 



The same remark is applicable to other branches of Natural 

 History, and it is obvious, that he who is acquainted with all of 

 them need never be without sources of rational enjoyment, while 

 he is amassing treasures for the advancement of science. In geol- 

 ogy, many excellent local descriptions have, within a £ew years 

 appeared. Vast magazines of knowledge are garnered in the 

 Transactions of the Geological Societies of London, of Paris and 

 of other countries. 



Many of the scientific Journals abound with geological facts ; 

 and numerous elementary treatises, of great value, now place di- 



Vol. XXXIX, No. 1.— April-June, 1840. 1 



