VUl PREFACE TO THE FORMER EDITION. 



sacrifice, to accomplish what appeared to me so desirable 

 an object, yet after the death of my noble and lamented 

 friend, the late Earl of Egremont, the munificent 

 patron of the Institution, — and of the Earl of Munster, 

 who was an ardent supporter of the measure, — the plan 

 was abandoned, in consequence of the lukewarmness, 

 and even opposition, of some of those who had engaged 

 to carry out the object. I therefore, in compliance 

 with the suggestions of my scientific friends, disposed 

 of the entire collection to the Trustees of the British 

 Museum. 



But although the main object of my labours was 

 thus frustrated, and the collection, — which would have 

 been of tenfold importance if located in the district 

 whence it was derived, and whose geological structure 

 it was designed to illustrate, — is now broken up, and 

 dispersed through the cabinets of our National Institu- 

 tion, yet many of the most interesting organic remains 

 are so unique, and so strikingly distinct from any 

 other specimens hitherto obtained, that they may be 

 referred to with facility, when the gallery of Organic 

 Remains in the British Museum shall be finally 

 arranged.* 



I avail myself of this opportunity to record the deep 

 sense of obligation I feel to many excellent friends, for 



* As, for example, the remains of the Wealden reptiles, the Iguano- 

 don, Hylaeosaurus, CetiosauruSj Swanage Crocodile, &c. ; the Fishes 



from the Chalk, &c. 



