PREFACE. XI. 
distinction in which other counties and spots however 
celebrated for the profusion and importance of their 
products, participate much less. The larger the number 
of productions coming simultaneously and connectedly 
under the eye of an observer, and the greater the range of 
associations and relative conditions under which each 
separate object and circumstance is viewed, the more 
considerable must be the amount of philosophic knowledge 
he acquires. On this account therefore the attention of 
scientific men is for ever directed to this county for the 
advancement of those interests they cultivate. 
As for myself, as a student in this very field, the public, 
ever justly jealous of intrusions on its liberal feelings, are 
about to judge of me. Those who estimate temperately 
will no doubt give me as much credit for the labour I have 
gone through as I can rationally expect, whilst those who 
would judge me harshly may require to have one hint here 
given them ;—that the discoveries made, and points of 
doctrine cleared up might be reasonably allowed to weigh 
favorably against other parts of the book where deficiency 
or error may no doubt be obvious. From the supercilious 
critic, who is well pleased with no one but himself, I of 
course expect no quarter, though here I comfort myself 
with the persuasion that zeal cannot be denied me, and 
with the assurance that it is amost wise maxim which says 
“‘ Happy are they who expect little, for they shall not be 
disappointed.” May I also be permitted to observe, since 
the errors and deficiencies of this book will be the first and 
the easiest detected by the competent portion of readers, 
that there is somewhat to be allowed in extenuation as a 
balance in the other scale :—I have bestowed very con- 
siderable attention in collating and reducing the vast bulk 
b 2 
