PREFACE. 



OxCE more all tlie world is preparing for tliat most jovial of all 

 jovial seasons, wlien the workman lays down his tools, the clerk for- 

 sakes his desk, the merchant his coimting-honse ; and authors and 

 editors rejoice, like other people. Poor, indeed, must he be both in 

 pocket and heart who cannot afford a day's holiday and a good 

 dinner on "Merry Christmas." For the second time we, too, 

 abandon our monthly labours. We have prepared our Index, made 

 up our Volume, bound it in its cover of pui'ple and gold, despatched 

 it far and near over the British isles and abroad, even to the confines 

 of America and India ; and now, for the second time, in all sincerity 

 and earnestness, we wish our Friends and Readers a " Merry Christ- 

 mas, and a happy New Year." 



Again we have brought the good ship " GtEOLOGISt" safely into 

 port. Onwards we have steered our steady course, encouraged 

 throughout by the kind words and appreciation of almost numberless 

 friends. If the expressions of goodwill and laudation which have 

 reached us from so many quarters could make us vain, we might 

 print pages of authorities for our title to give loose to an easily- 

 developed passion ; but every word of praise will only make us more 

 chary of an acquired reputation — more careful in what we do — more 

 anxious to be ever and ever more worthy of patronage and suppoii;. 



To my friend Mr. Davidson I have been indebted for a valuable 

 paper on the Strophomenidae and Productid^, and the beautiful 

 plates which accompany it. And in the closing pages of this volume 

 we have commenced another extremely valuable contribution by the 

 same hand on the Carboniferous Brachiopoda of Scotland, which will 

 be accompanied by many equally beautiful plates. 



