6 Introduction. 



object of existence, the study of the Creator through his works. 

 In the conduct of this periodical, we hope to give proofs that our 

 intention is to make ourselves understood: to treat our subjects 

 in an elementary and perspicuous manner. In short, we propose 

 being useful to our readers, and not to occupy ourselves with 

 making a specious parade of attainments, far short of what it 

 becomes us to possess. 



There is another, and a very numerous class of persons, that has 

 been deterred from entering upon the study of natural history, 

 by prejudices conceived against Geology, a science, which has 

 not at all times been fairly treated either by its friends or 

 enemies. Geology, in its most comprehensive sense, denotes the 

 history of nature ; for its various phenomena present themselves 

 to the consideration of the naturalist, in relation with all the 

 physical sciences. When geology, therefore, became obnoxious 

 to the suspicion, that it was hostile to revealed religion, the 

 study of its branches, to a certain extent, was looked upon with 

 distrust, as disposing the mind to scepticism, and to the belief, 

 that the parts of nature were independent of their Creator, be- 

 cause they partook of the perfection of all his works. The modern 

 leaders of geology, have, by their industry, learning, and pru- 

 dence, almost eradicated these groundless opinions. 



In the by-gone days of theological zeal, when the majority of 

 zealots almost amounted to unanimity, every writer on geology 

 was supposed bound to confront all the physical phenomena with 

 the construction given in a not very enlightened age, to that brief 

 account of the origin of the world, contained in a venerable re- 

 cord devoted to the moral instruction of men. The Theologian 

 said to the Naturalist, " You will find it recorded in the Bible, 

 that the world was created out of nothing, about six thousand 

 years ago, in the space of six days of our modern computed time ; 

 and that about four thousand years ago, it was overwhelmed by 

 a deluge of water, which destroyed all living things that did not 

 enter into the ark of Noah. The curious petrifactions you say 

 you find, are the remains of the animals and plants, which lived 

 from the creation to the deluge. This is what you must believe, 

 if you will not run the risk of being driven from society as irre- 

 ligious and anti-social." 



In using the terms *' brief account of the origin of the world," 

 in reference to the Mosaic account, it is the construction given to 



