THE GEOLOGIST. 
JANUARY 1, 1858. 
THE GEOLOGIST, which this clay makes its appearance as the 
popular organ of a Science which has of late years advanced with 
gigantic strides, and which is daUy attracting an increasing share 
of attention from all classes of society, enters ujion an unoccupied 
field. Its object 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 brmg them out think they arc not 
" wanted," it would b'e sheer folly to jwoduce 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 theii' gratification at the 
announcement of a magazine, based upon the plan we have 
projected. We therefore ventiu"e to launch our first number with 
tlie full conviction that we are about to supply a work which will 
prove to be in a high degree useful. 
In entermg u2)on this undertaking, we desu'e 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 m their power to further this effort to promote their favourite 
Science. We have gi'eat confidence that in course of time, our 
magazine will flourish lilce a strong tree, but in its infancy it 
requnes to be propped. We therefore ask all who wish to have 
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