PREFACE. 



tlieir tingling fingers throngli their woollen mits. Cliristmas again 

 is coming ; and a merry, hearty, jovial, happy time may it be to all 

 and every of my friends and readers — aye, and to my enemies, too, if 

 I have any ; — on that one day, at least, God bless them. 



My thanks are again due to my good and sincere friend, Thos. 

 Davidson, Esq., for his excellent contributions on the Scottish 

 Brachiopoda, and to my other excellent friends, H. C. Salmon, Esq., 

 F. E. Edwards, Esq., Dr. Gibb, T. Rupert Jones, Esq , G. V. Du 

 Noyer, Esq., C. Moore, Esq., Major Austin, and my other contributors. 



I ought also to return my best thanks to my very numerous kind 

 querists for the many gratifications they have given me in the 

 pleasures I have had in replying to their interesting questions. 

 Nothing seems to make my editorial labours so light as these kindly 

 communications ; they seem a homely family link between us that 

 binds us together in the great brotherhood of geologists. 



On the 1st of January, 1861, I shall again hoist the old colours, 

 when our ship will appear with fresh decorations, handsome to look 

 at, and in thorough repair. Some new and agreeable passengers will 

 be on board amongst the old sailors, and we shall start vigorously 

 on our fourth voyage. 



S. J. MACKIE, 



TJecemher, 1860. 



