vill ^ PREFACE* 



sections, are calculated to convey. In recording the donations, 

 which have been made to this department of the Society's col- 

 lection, the Editors of this volume feel no hesitation in expressing, 

 on the part of the Members, a hope that it may continue to increase ; 

 both on account of the intrinsic value of such information, as 

 Laying the foundation of a general geological map of the British 

 territory, and on account of the material assistance which it may 

 afford to future inquirers. For, they are persuaded, nothing is more 

 consonant to the wishes of the Society, than that every mineralogist, 

 purposing to visit any part of the kingdom, should have free access 

 to all documents which may happen to be in its possession. 



The Editors also take occasion, on behalf of the Society, to 

 acknowledge the valuable presents, which have been made to its 

 library. 



It would be superfluous to enumerate the many advantages which 

 may be derived from Geology : it is sufficient to observe, that it 

 offers to scientific research a field of inquiry, rich in the beautiful 

 and sublime productions of nature ; and that, practically considered, 

 its results admit of direct application to purposes of the highest 

 utility. It may also be remarked, that the means of acquiring 

 such information are peculiarly great throughout every part of the 

 British islands. No country contains, within an equal space, a 

 greater variety of mineral substances ; while our long and broken 

 line of coast, and our numerous mines, furnish the most ample 

 opportunities of making geological observations. 

 , In the present imperfect state of this science, it cannot be sup- 

 posed that the Society should attempt to decide upon the merits 



