PREFACE. 



This volume requires a few words of explanation 

 and apology. It is now some years since its 

 Publisher proposed to issue a series of volumes on 

 the " Outlines of the Natural History of Europe." 

 Prof. Henfrey undertook the subject of "The Vege- 

 tation of Europe," Prof. Ed. Forbes that of " The 

 Natural History of the European Seas," and he 

 proposed to me that I should write the " Geological 

 History of the European Area." 



Prof. Henfrey's volume appeared in 1852, and it 

 was then announced that the second volume of the 

 series would be by Prof. Ed. Forbes, and would ap- 

 pear in 1853. The volume, however, did not make 

 its appearance, nor (by those who were acquainted 



