PREFACE. IX 



of Albany, N.Y.; and W. 0. Minor and Frank H. Bradley, 

 of New Haven. Mr. Bradley has given freely his constant as- 

 sistance during the progress of the work through the press. 



The author has endeavored to bring the volume into as small 

 a compass as is consistent with a proper exhibition of the 

 science ; and if some find its pages too numerous, he feels con- 

 fident that quite as many would prefer greater fulness. The 

 details introduced have seemed to be necessary in order that the 

 march of events might be appreciated. 



Geology is rapidly taking its place as an introduction to the 

 higher history of man. If the author has sought to exalt a 

 favorite science, it has been with the desire that man — in whom 

 geological history had its consummation, the prophecies of the 

 successive ages their fulfilment — might better comprehend his 

 own nobility and the true purpose of his existence. 



New Haven, Ct., November 1, 1862. 



PEEFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



The Manual has here received such alterations as seemed to 

 be required by the results of recent Geological research. The 

 general arrangement and paging of the volume remain, how- 

 ever, unchanged, excepting in the Appendix, where two sec- 

 tions are introduced — one on an Insect from the American Car- 

 boniferous formation, and the other on the long-tailed or rep- 

 tilian Bird of Solenhofen. Each of these sections is illustrated 

 by a wood-cut, the Insect having special interest from the re- 

 markable perfection of the specimen and its Geological age ; and 

 the Bird being an anomaly in its class, opening to science wholly 

 new views as to the nature of the ancient Birds of the world, 

 and the range of form under the Bird type. 



