vi PREFACE. 



general speculations, and tlieoretical enquiries as may be suggested by 

 the examination of the districts visited, will be published, (as in the 

 present volume, Mr. Blanford's note on Laterite,) and also such 

 researches on the practical application of the geological results, and such 

 statistical information as to quantity and character of the economical 

 products, as may be desirable. 



In a new country, the mineral wealth of which is only now becom- 

 ing known, the natural and inevitable tendency of such geological 

 enquiries is more practical and economical than they would be, where 

 civilization had longer held her sway, and where the energies and skill 

 of many, interested in such pursuits, had been for generations brought 

 to bear upon them. And yet this very condition, which renders such 

 practical enquiries more important and needful, renders them at the 

 same time more difficult, and in some cases even impracticable. Where 

 no mines have been opened, from the character of which we might 

 reason M'ith some safety as regards others in the same country, it is 

 difficult to form any sound opinion as to the abundance or nature of the 

 mineral wealth of which surface indications may be found in a new 

 country; where no quarries are worked, the nature and the contents 

 of the rocks are not easily ascertained ; where no roads exist, it is not 

 an easy task even to gain access to many points of interest. In all such 

 cases our reasoning must be on the broad scale ; niceties of distinction, 

 either in structure or position, or in- contents, cannot be looked for. 

 But when, in addition to these drawbacks, there are dangers of climate 

 and season to contend with ; when, for a very large portion of the 

 country no maps whatever exist, and for other parts, such as are avail- 

 able, are but rude approximations even in the position of important 

 points, and are altogether wanting in detail, the task of a geologist be- 

 comes one of no small labour, of no little risk. In former years moreover 

 the want of any efficient libraries of reference, or collections for com- 

 parison, entirely impeded any sound progress. Happily, under the 



