PREFACE. 
XIX 
frequently, as probably to have excited surprise in those ac- 
customed to consult the more modern of the British Faunas. 
He was led to adopt this course, not for the purpose of fill- 
ing up the chasms in the fancied laws of continuity, but that 
the attention of zoologists may he directed to an examina- 
tion of the extinct races, and that the geologist may connect 
with his studies a knowledge of the character . and distribution 
of existing species. The evils which have arisen from the want 
of this union between zoology and geology, are too obvious to 
require any comment. The neglect of the fossil species first 
appeared in the writings of Mr Pennant, who took no notice 
of the numerous fossil species of shells and ecJiinodermata^ 
which, before the commencement of his labours, had been satis- 
factorily established. Lister (to whom we owe the discovery 
that organic remains are distributed according to a plan, and 
that certain rocks may be characterised by their imbedded fos- 
sils, or that the distribution of organic remains, like the order 
of superposition of the strata, is regulated by fixed laws) per- 
ceived the importance of connecting a knowledge of the charac- 
ters of the existing and fossil species, and exhibited the union 
in his Historia Animalium Anglise. Under the protection of 
such authority, the author of this treatise is fearless of censure. 
He even confidently believes, that if the example of Lister 
had been followed by succeeding contributors to the British 
Fauna, geology would have presented at this day an aspect of 
far greater maturity and interest. Even the characters of the 
fossil species of plants attracted the attention of the early ob- 
servers, and led Da Costa to recommend to the curious in 
botany, to take notice of them as an Appendix Plantarwn ad- 
hue incognitarum,'' (Phil. Trans. 50, 231.) But this advice 
has not been followed ; for the student may search in vain the 
published Introductions to Botany, or the various Floras which 
have appeared, and fail to meet with even a hint to inform 
him that the various strata afford remains of extinct species of 
plants. 
In reference to Fossil Shells, the author has chiefly quoted 
the specific characters given in the Mineral Conchology of Mr 
SowERBY. This work is of great value in the facilities which 
4 
