PREFACE. vii 



their observations, and to place these collections of facts in a repo- 

 sitory, easily accessible to themselves and to others, the progress of 

 Geology would be materially accelerated. In offering to be contri- 

 butors to and guardians of so valuable a deposit, the Members of 

 the Society, v^rithout any partiality towards their own claims to the 

 notice and encouragement of their countrymen, felt satisfied, that 

 there was a peculiar propriety in making the metropolis of the 

 empire the centre of such an institution, on account of the many 

 mineralogical cabinets that it contains, as well as of the superior 

 opportunities for mutual intercourse, which it presents to persons 

 engaged in geological pursuits; and they have experienced sincere 

 gratification in observing, that even their most sanguine expectations 

 have been greatly exceeded by the early and progressive advance- 

 ment of the Institution, towards the accomplishment of the objects 

 which it had in view. 



By the liberality of different Individuals a considerable collection 

 has already been formed, which comprises not only many of the 

 mineral productions of the British islands, but likewise several 

 series of foreign rocks ; and arrangements have fortunately been 

 made, by which the Society's cabinet will receive still more im- 

 portant additions. There is therefore reason to think, that it will 

 at no distant period be sufficiently extensive to illustrate the mineral 

 history of this country, and at the same time to afford great facilities 

 to persons desirous of becoming acquainted with the elements of 

 geological science. 



The attention of the Society has likewise been directed to the 

 highly useful Instruction, which mineralogical maps, plans, and 



