P E E F A C E. 
Once more all the world is preparing for that most jovial of all 
jovial seasons, when the workman lays down his tools, the clerk for- 
sakes his desk, the merchant his counting-house ; and authors and 
editors rejoice, like other people. Poor, indeed, must he be both in 
pocket and heart who cannot afford a day's holiday and a good 
dinner on "Merry Christmas." For the second time we, too, 
abandon our monthly labours. We have prepared our Index, made 
up our Volume, bound it in its cover of purple and gold, despatched 
it far and near over the British isles and abroad, even to the confines 
of America and India ; and now, for the second time, in all sincerity 
and earnestness, we wish our Friends and Readers a " Merry Christ- 
mas, and a happy New Tear." 
Again we have brought the good ship " Geologist" safely into 
port. Onwards we have steered our steady course, encouraged 
throughout by the kind words and appreciation of almost numberless 
friends. If the expressions of goodwill and laudation which have 
reached us from so many quarters could make us vain, we might 
print pages of authorities for our title to give loose to an easily- 
developed passion ; but every word of praise will only make us more 
chary of an acquired reputation — more careful in what we do — more 
anxious to be ever and ever more worthy of patronage and support. 
To my friend Mr. Davidson I have been indebted for a valuable 
paper on the Strophomenidae and Productidae, and the beautiful 
plates which accompany it. And in the closing pages of this volume 
we have commenced another extremely valuable contribution by the 
same hand on the Cai-boniferous Brachiopoda of Scotland, which will 
be accompanied by many equally beautiful plates. 
