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Art. ILII.—Outlmes of a Geological Comparative view of the 
South-west and North of France , and the South of Germany . 
By Ami Boue', M.D., Member of the Wernerian Natural 
History Society, &c. * 
Dear Sir, 
I HAVE prepared a very full account of my late geological 
observations, which I hope to publish on my return from Tran- 
sylvania. In the mean time, as many of the facts are of import- 
ance, and do not agree with the statements of Mr Buckland, and 
other English geologists, I send the following outline for your 
information, &c. &c. I remain your affectionate pupil, 
Vienna, QMh Feb. 1823. Ami Boue'. 
To Professor Jameson, Edinburgh. 
Since the comparatively recent period at which Geology be- 
gan to assume the form of a science, it has been cultivated with 
assiduity and success, insomuch that at the present day we may 
be said to possess a general knowledge of almost every portion 
of Europe ; but in order to render this knowledge complete and 
satisfactory, it is necessary to review the facts adduced, to com- 
pare the phenomena exhibited in different countries, and to state 
the result with accuracy and precision. For this purpose the 
travelling geologist must perform his journeys after a determinate 
plan, and not run about at random, as it were, from one district 
to another. Those, in the mean time, who are stationary in par- 
ticular places, must give us minute details of their neighbour- 
hood, endeavour to make their observations coincide with the 
general results obtained by the other class of geologists, and not 
be foolish enough to imagine, that they themselves individually 
are surrounded by a world entirely different from the rest of the 
surface of the earth, or to regulate, according to the supposed struc- 
ture of their small comer, all the other parts of the crust of our 
planet. Such are the ideas which have directed me in my travels : 
* Read before the Wernerian Society, April 15. 1823. 
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