16 INTRODUCTION. 



without some previous knowledge of the objects to be examined, our curiosity would be only 

 excited, not gratified ; and I resolved to defer our visit to Oxford, until we had obtained the 

 information necessary to insure us both pleasure and profit in the investigation of the relics of 

 interest it contained. 



" Thus, my dear friend, at the very outset of my long anticipated holidays, I have experienced 

 considerable disappointment, and I confidently appeal to you to aflFord me the information 

 I require; for I know that you have successfully cultivated the science which teaches the 

 nature of these figured stones, or petrifactions, and possess a valuable collection of these most 

 extraordinary objects. You now, therefore, have it in your power to add greatly to the delight 

 and instruction I am anticipating from my travels, by giving me an insight into the origin and 

 nature of the petrified remains which, I am told, are every where to be met with in the districts 

 we are about to visit." 



Of Mr. Artis's "Work, I need only mention that it was intended, as its title expresses, to 

 illustrate " The Fossil Bemains of Plants peculiar to the Coal Formations of Great Britain ; selected 

 for their novelty and interest from upwards of a Thousand Specimens in the possession of the Author ; 

 by Edmund Tyrell Artis, Esq. F.S.A. F.G.S." It was published by Nichols & Son, 1838. 

 The plates are well executed, and faithfully portray the original specimens. 



Gallery of Organic Bemains in the British Museum. 



The collection of fossils in our national museum is now so varied and extensive, and so 

 admirably arranged by its eminent Curator, Charles Konig, Esq., F.R.S., and his able 

 assistants, Mr. Waterhouse and Mr. Woodward, that the intelligent reader whose interest 

 may be awakened by the beautiful and curious objects figured and described in this volume, 

 cannot fail to be highly gratified by inspecting leisurely the various organic remains from all 

 parts of the world, that are there displayed. 



I gladly avail myself of this opportunity gratefully to acknowledge the liberality and kindness 

 I have at all times experienced from the Officers of the several departments of Natural History 

 in the British Museum, in promoting my scientific researches, by affording me every facility to 

 examine the vast stores of Information placed under their guardianship. 



