Neio Edition by Prof. H. G. Seelei/. 569 



appeared in 1855, just 30 years ago, it is manifest that in so yonng, 

 vigorous, and ever-growing a science as geology, nearly all that had 

 been written previously to that date would need modification in a 

 greater or less degree : in fact, that the clothes which sufficed it then 

 are all too small to cover the strong limbs of the rising young 

 science of 1885.^ 



The name of Professor Seeley, F.E.S., on the title-page, is an 

 excellent guarantee that Part I. has been carefully prepared ; whilst 

 Part II. (Stratigraphical Geology), by Mr. Etheridge, F.R.S. (now 

 in the press), will no doubt amply maintain the credit of this section 

 of the work, which in its completed form will probably be more 

 than twice as large as the original by Phillips. 



In preparing, as the authors have done, a new edition of Phillips's 

 Geology, in two volumes, the subject-matter has been somewhat 

 differently arranged, and the whole re-cast, but little of the original 

 remaining, as would naturally be expected under the circumstances. 

 Commencing with the definition and origin of the science. Professor 

 Seeley points out the various lines of inquiry which the geologist 

 may follow, and briefly records the names of some of the early fathers 

 of geology and their views, ending with the discoveries made by 

 William Smith '^ (1790—1830) and the birth of palaeontology in 

 England. We have next to consider the mineral constituents of the 

 aqueous and igneous rocks, and their characteristic structure, then 

 the mode of formation of each, and all the subsequent changes 

 they have undergone from agents of denudation and by upheaval, 

 faulting, dislocation, etc. This naturally leads us to the consideration 

 of the origin of Earth-sculpture into Islands and Continents, diversi- 

 fied by Mountains, Valleys, Table-lands and Plains, producing local 

 variations in climate and all the modifications in the scenery of this 

 and other lands. 



Then follow chapters on Volcanic Energy and its manifestation 

 in active Volcanoes, on the nature and origin of Igneous Rocks, their 

 History and the concomitants and results of volcanic energy. To 

 this succeed chapters on Metamorphism, Mineral veins, and on the 

 chief mineral deposits in Britain. 



The final chapters deal with the Biological aspect of Palae- 

 ontology. Here we find discussed the origin, the extinction, suc- 

 cession, migration, pex'sistence, distribution, relation and variation 

 of species, — with other considerations, such as the identification of 

 strata by Fossils ; Homotaxis, Local Faunas, Natural History pro- 

 vinces and the relation of living to extinct forms. The last Chapter 

 is on the Succession of Animal Life ; from this we take the following 

 summary : — 



"If we endeavour to summarize the conclusions which the suc- 

 cession of life on the earth indicates, the most important generaliza- 



1 The date on the title-page. 



2 Better known as "Strata Smith ; " and by the name given him hy Professor 

 Sedgwick "the Father of English Geology"— the uncle of Professor Phillips and his 

 teacher in the science and practice of geology (see the Life of Phillips, Geol. Mag. 

 Vol, VII. 1870, pp 301-306). 



