360 Geological Survey. 
view of having it published in its present jute but m merely 
as materzals* contributed Maytals the ade pie of the 
great design. 4 Gy 
It is not our epjectit to i present an analysis or eviews 
Mr. Eaton’s Report, (especially as it is yet incomplete,) 
but merely to announce this part of it, in the respectful 
terms which it deserves. We confess we regret any unne- 
cessary innovations in geological nomenclature, or any de- 
viations from the present highly improved state of the sci- 
ence, on the eastern continent, unless where new facts and 
discoveries imperiously demand such a course. If we were, 
however, disposed to criticism, we should be restrained by 
the obvious propriety of waiting until the evidence can be 
examined by impartial judges, and we fully concede the 
right to be heard with candour, and to be judged with fair- 
ness, to the laborious and faithful geologist who has travel- 
led more than three thousand miles on foot, and seven 
thousand more in other modes, in order to acquire a knowl- 
edge of the facts which he describes, and the power of ob- 
serving and describing them; at the same time, we are al- 
ways gratified, and especially in the case of scientific works, 
when assertions and opinions are announced, not magiste- 
rially, but with reserve, and with a respectful deference to 
the views of others; this course is dictated equally by in- 
terest and duty, Aatih always conciliates more favour than it 
concedes. That author gains little to himself who treats 
lightly or contemptuously the opinions even of those whose 
opportunities of making original observations have been ne- 
cessarily less extensive than his own, and whose studies in 
the sciences of nature have been pursued less in the field 
than inthe cabinet. With respect to geologists, however, 
most of those of the present day do, in fact, combine both 
methods of study, and some of them have travelled exten- 
sively, and have traversed even oceans and continents, in 
pursuit of geological knowledge. 
Mr. Eaton’s survey bears every mark of the fidelity and 
vigorous effort which have marked his former geological re- 
ports, and if he is ready to manifest a preference for his 
own opinions, he has shewn himself equally candid in re- 
*For the more full explanation of which, he very properly, refers to his 
extensive communications in former numbers of this Journal. 
