X.T JO O 
PREFACE. 
The present work is not intended to form a text 
book for the scientific student. Such a manual is 
much needed in the present state of our knowledge 
of fossil botany. It is hoped that the task of prepa¬ 
ring it will be undertaken by some person possessing 
(in addition to other attainments) the leisure and 
facilities for reference to geological collections and 
publications, which a busy life and provincial residence 
do not allow to the author of the present treatise. 
1 Meanwhile a discursive exhibition of general views 
^ on the subject, may serve to induce a more widely 
spread inquiry into the facts of this modern science, 
' and thus aid its onward progress. 
The subject lies at present in a condition to de- 
mand and repay investigation. The pleasure of dis- 
^ CO very may be added to the charms of pursuit. 
LauncestoHy 
^ September, 1849. 
