XIV 
PREFACE. 
it has not merely shown a close agreement of the older palaeozoic or pro- 
tozoic strata of Norway and Sweden with the contemporaneous group 
iu England and Wales, hut by its actual superposition to still older 
crystalline rocks void of all traces of organic life, has given the authors 
a clear base line wherewith to connect and from whence to trace their 
whole ascending series of Russian sedimentary deposits. 
This excursion to Norway and Sweden (where through the friendly 
aid of Baron Berzelius and Professors Keilhau and Loven Mr. Murchison 
obtained access to every collection) has not only been advantageous to 
pakeozoic classification, but has also been highly serviceable in develop- 
ing some prominent features of the great Scandinavian drift that covers 
such large portions of the surface of Russia and Germany, and the con- 
sideration of which naturally occupies many of the subsequent pages 1 . 
Revisiting afterwards St. Petersburgh, Mr. Murchison personally com- 
municated with Count Keyserling on the subject of the Petchora and 
Timan country, and at the same time examined some newly-discovered 
natural relations of the strata not distant from the capital 2 . He also 
derived some important additional knowledge from M. Pander, M. Worth, 
Colonel Helmersen, M. Khanikoff and other friends. 
In presenting to the public geological maps of Russia in Europe and 
the Ural Mountains, and in attempting to classify upon what they con- 
ceive to be a sound general basis, the various deposits of so vast a ter- 
ritory, the authors bespeak the indulgence of their brother geologists, 
1 The complete examination of these most interesting countries was incompatible with the publication 
of a work on Russia ; but having been graciously honoured with an invitation from the King of Sweden 
and Norway to revisit them, Mr. Murchison has the full intention of doing so, with the prospect of being 
once more accompanied by M. de Verneuil. 
a On this occasion Mr. Murchison was the bearer of a medal struck in England, in honour of the re- 
cent visit of the Emperor Nicholas to the Queen of England. This medal is executed by Mr. Leonard 
Wyon of the Royal Mint, and is represented in the medallion which accompanies the dedication to His 
Imperial Majesty. The inscription on the reverse will, it is hoped, be equally gratifying to all loyal 
persons in both countries. During this, as in former visits, Mr. Murchison had strong reasons to be 
grateful to the Count A. von Orloff for the kindest support, and he has recently been informed by His 
Excellency that the Emperor had cordially accepted the medal. 
