REVIEWS. 



223 



cessively traced, the definition and connections of Geology? 

 its history and historians — its harmony — the bibhography 

 on the subject — mineralogy — physical geology — fossil con- 

 chology and botany — paleeontology and sketches of the 

 different groups of rocks — all of which are interspersed 

 with numerous well finished wood-cuts. 



In addition^ there is a feature which struck us as ex- 

 ceedingly concise and well adapted; — namely, the inser- 

 tion of " Exercises'^ for the student, after each chapter — 

 which in no way detract from the absolute value of the 

 work, whilst they essentially contribute to its utility, as 

 a guide book and manual. 



There is yet another marked peculiarity, which we 

 should not omit to mention ; referring to the best collec- 

 tions of fossils, and works relative to each group of rocks, 

 as those which are best calculated to afford a complete 

 study of the particular riches of each. 



Having thus enumerated the points upon which rest 

 the merits of Mr. Richardson's " Geology for Beginners,'' 

 we will proceed to notice the scientific character of the 

 work, and give such proofs of its qualities as we shall 

 consider necessary. For this purpose we will pass over 

 the introductory portions, and commence with that part 

 which relates to the means of identifying the strata by 

 their fossil contents. 



The lucid manner in which the comparative study of 

 the vegetable kingdom is discussed, will be duly appre- 

 ciated, we doubt not, both by the botanist and geologist. 

 The description of the natural system of arrangement of 

 exogenous and endogenous plants, their structure and 

 differences, with reference to the more especial study of 

 the fossil plants of the coal measures, is exceedingly clear 

 and accurate, and the characters of the different groups 



