an 



E E V I E W S. 



MantelVs " Wonders of Geology.'''' Edited by T. Rupert Jones, F.G.S. London : 

 Bohn. 



When a book passes through six editions, and the public buy eagerly of the 

 seventh, it must be a work of real merit. But when this demand happens long 

 after the death of its first author, when the revision of his labours has fallen into 

 other and younger hands, there must be as much credit due to the skill and 

 talent of the succeeding editor as to the original inditer ; especially Avhen, as 

 in the present case, the work appears brought up to the last point of information 

 and existing knowledge, and stands confessedly a better book than ever. 



The best popular books of a science must be few, but Mr. Rupert Jones' Edition 

 of the " Wonders of Geology " stands in the first rank. 



The two most known and widely circulated of Dr. Mantell's works were the 

 "Wonders of Geology" and the "Medals of Creation," the former taking the 

 strata in succession, with their characteristic fossils, and the latter constructed 

 in accordance with the relations of the fossil organic remains, or in natural 

 history series. 



The "Wonders" was the first really popular book on Geology printed in 

 England. Some more or less successful attempts had been made by Mr. Bakewell 

 and others — but Mantell's " Wonders " stood pre-eminently the book of its 

 day. How well it has held its own in the powerful rivalry of the splendid labovirs 

 of Sir Chas. Lyell, and of those other excellent books of Phillips, xlnstcd, &c., is 

 evidenced by that meritorious badge of honour contained on the title-page — " 7th 

 edition." 



To the new matter added by Mr. Rupert Jones we have already alluded, but 

 it would be vinjust not to make more special mention of some of these additions , 

 so important as to give almost a new character to the work. 



Not only have the scientific terms and words in the glossary received more correct 

 definition, but throughout there is manifested a material improvement in this respect 

 ■ — and this is not a slight one. We have placed before us the new Tertiary nomen- 

 clature of Prestwich and the late Edw. Forbes, with the most recent determi- 

 nations of the English Tertiary strata in their relations to each other and to foreign 

 types, and more philosophical views of their history and formation, especially in 

 respect to the Woolwich and Isle of Wight deposits. Again, a much more compre- 

 hensive view is taken of the Wealden beds in this than in any other of the former 

 editions which issued under the direct supei-vision of Dr. Mantell himself, who, it 

 is well known, dwelt rather too strongly and too exclusively on the fluviatile con- 

 ditions of that group ; while now, the semi-marine characters of some of the 

 members of this group are very properly brought forward, and their due 

 importance assigned to them. 



Much in regard to the Purbeck beds was accomplished by the late Professor E. 

 Forbes ; and more recently the extensive excavations of Mr. S. H. Beckles have 

 added many new animals to our previous lists. The essence of these labours is 

 concisely added in the pages before us. 



Then, throughout the work, the nomenclature of the fossils is vastly improved, 

 and far more attention paid to the actual value of the natural groups or organisms 

 in their classification. Terms are restricted to their j roper meaning; and thus, 



