2 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



retical questions, and stating it in such a manner as to pre- 

 clude the poss/biiity of our transgressing the line of distinc- 

 tion, which should mark our work as strictly practical. 



Mr. Greenough having recommended, among other sub- 

 jects, that we should devote our attention to geographic- 

 geology," by procuring, in the first instance, authentic lists 

 of ali descriptive works or charts of districts, hitherto pub- 

 lished either in this country or elsewhere, and by collating 

 from these, in the second place, such information as should 

 be considered essentially important or useful to the geologist 

 thereby to render these periodical essays on local geology 

 one of the most important features of our work — we feel 

 much pleasure in stating in this place our adoption of his 

 suggestion, and in acknowledging the service rendered us by 

 him, as also by other eminent geologists, as well in commu- 

 nicating their views, as offering us their valuable assistance 

 in their completion. 



We have premised thus much in the hope that we may 

 enlist the services of those persons who have opportunities 

 of acquiring information relative to the above, or any other 

 subject in accordance with our design. 



The difficulties with which we have had to contend, in 

 determining on any plan for our work were considerable, 

 for being of opinion that scientific periodicals should alwaj^s 

 contain the most elaborate reports on scientific subjects, 

 calculated to raise, and subsequently maintain their value 

 in the estimation of those persons thoroughly conversant 

 with the subjects, and that it is also necessary that they 

 should be conducted in vuch a manner that the student may 

 derive benefit from their perusal, it has been our anxious 

 wish to please both parties, and we hope to have succeeded. 



THE EDITOR. 



