V 
PREFACE. 
Impelled by that eager curiosity, which a view of the remains of 
a former world must excite in every inquisitive mind, the writer 
of the following sheets long and earnestly sought for information 
respecting these wonderful substances, from every source to which 
he could obtain access. But considerable impediments to his 
inquiries arose from his being able to derive so little aid, speaking 
comparatively, from such works as have been published in this 
country ; since, although these subjects have engaged the attention 
of several gentlemen well qualified for their investigation, yet the 
publications with which they have favoured the world, have chiefly 
been detached essays on some particular fossils only. He, therefore, 
found himself under the necessity of having continual recourse to 
the more general observations which are to be found in the writings 
of the learned of Italy, France, and Germany ; the valuable col- 
lection of which, in the British Museum, he was happy in being 
enabled to consult, with all the advantages which the kindness of 
the officers of that noble institution could yield. 
Considering that, as similar difficulties must occur to others, a 
publication would be acceptable, which should comprise, in the 
general history of these bodies, the more important observations. 
A 
