THE GEOLOGIST. 



JANUARY 1, 1858. 



THE GEOLOGIST, which this day makes its appearance as the 

 popular organ of a Science which has of late years advanced with 

 gigantic strides, and which is daily attractmg an increasing share 

 of attention from all classes of society, enters upon an unoccupied 

 field. Its ohject is to supply a deficiency in scientific periodical 

 literature. We say this in spite of the sneer which has often 

 been uttered to the effect that no new periodical was ever issued 

 which did not profess "to supply a long felt want." Of course 

 new periodicals profess " to supply a want ;" they are got up for 

 that purpose ; should those who bring them out think they are not 

 " wanted," it would be sheer folly to produce them. With regard to 

 The Geologist, there is abundant evidence that such a periodical 

 is needed; evidence which rests not on our own judgment alone, 

 but on the concurrent testimony of many eminently able and 

 practical men, who have expressed their gratification at the 

 announcement of a magazine, based upon the plan we have 

 projected. We therefore venture to launch our first number with 

 the full conviction that we are about to supply a work which will 

 prove to be in a high degree useful. 



In entering upon this undertaking, we desire to enlist the 

 sympathy and aid of all lovers of Geology. We need their 

 assistance, and we here appeal to them to render it, and to do 

 all in their power to further this effort to promote their favourite 

 Science. We have great confidence that in course of time, our 

 magazine will flourish like a strong tree, but in its infancy it 

 requhes to be propped. We therefore ask all who wish to have 

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