INTRODUCTION. 7 
facts, and to establish his conchisions on the 
firm basis of philosophical induction. We now 
approach the study of the natural history of the 
globe, aided not only by the higher branches 
of Physics, but by still more essential recent 
discoveries, in Mineralogy, and Chemistry, in 
Botany, Zoology, and Comparative Anatomy. 
By the help of these sciences, we are en- 
abled to extract from the archives of the 
interior of the earth, intelligible records of for- 
mer conditions of our planet, and to decipher 
documents, which were a sealed book to all 
our predecessors in the attempt to illustrate 
subterranean history. Thus enlarged in its 
views, and provided with fit means of pursuing 
them. Geology extends its researches into re- 
gions more vast and remote, than come within 
the scope of any other physical science except 
Astronomy. It not only comprehends the en- 
tire range of the mineral kingdom, but in- 
cludes also the history of innumerable extinct 
races of animals and vegetables ; in each of 
which it exhibits evidences of design and con- 
trivance, and of adaptations to the varying con- 
dition of the lands and waters on which they 
were placed ; and besides all these, it discloses 
an ulterior prospective accommodation of the 
mineral elements, to existing tribes of plants and 
animals, and more especially to the uses of man. 
Evidences like these make up a history of a high 
