PREFACE. 



With the new year I shall begin a new book, in the strong 

 hope that more readers and more correspondents will join in aiding me 

 in my earnest desire to popularize and to extend the noble science of 

 geology without sacrificing, in any way, its proper dignity. The 

 responsibility, to a conscientious mind, of a popular Magazine is not 

 slight. I^othing once printed is innocuous or inert. There is a corre- 

 lation of human passions and intellect, as of physical force, and the 

 effects of the printed sentence may be felt in eternity. The newspaper, 

 with all its learning, its daily interest, the labour, skill, and cost of its 

 production, passes with the day which gave it birth, but the magazine 

 is bound into a volume, and may be read again months or years after- 

 wards, and become, as it often does, the first course of instruction to 

 younger minds. To make, then, this Magazine something more than a 

 mere mirror of passing events, has been my aim and object ; and the 

 reward of all my anxiety and care to which I have hopefully looked 

 forward, has been to see it not only a welcome monthly visitor, but a 

 cherished friend. 



To my many friends I take this opportunity of offering my warmest 

 thanks, but to none am I so much indebted as I am to my true and 

 valued friend, Mr. T. Rupert Jones. Por the communications of my 

 numerous correspondents I would also return special thanks, and I 

 desire again to express a hope that the humblest geologist in this 

 or any other land will never hesitate to communicate anything that he 

 thinks a new fact or a discovery. Ko one at my hands will ever meet 

 with a rebuff for his want of knowledge or skill, and it will ever be to 

 those only who deserve it that I shall apply or sanction the sharp 

 words of censure. 



In the interval before our monthly intercourse is resumed, the most 

 genial season, and warmest of all the year in friendship and spirit — if 

 the coldest in temperature — will have passed over, with the celebration 

 of those cherished festivities in which few, indeed, willingly fail to 

 participate. 



In the expressions of good wishes at this convivial season, none will 

 be more sincere than those which I now offer to the many friends and 

 acquaintances which my literary labours of the past year have gathered 

 round me. 



S. J. MACKIE. 



Tachbrook-street, Pimlico, Dec. 1858. 



