Chapter II: Preface: To the First Edition

In the first edition of the Wonders of Geology, an intention was expressed of immediately publishing, as a sequel to those volumes, "First Lessons," or an Introduction to the Study of Petrifactions, for persons wholly unacquainted with the nature of Fossil Remains; but the completion of the contemplated work was unavoidably postponed, from year to year, by the long and severe indisposition of the Author.

In the meanwhile several works professing the same object have issued from the press; and an enlarged edition of Sir C. Lyell's "Elements" has also appeared, in which the elementary principles of physical Geology are fully illustrated, and numerous figures given of the characteristic fossils of the several formations, or groups of strata. But that department of the science which especially treats of Organic Remains is necessarily considered in a cursory manner; and a work upon the plan originally contemplated by the Author seems still to be required, to initiate the young and uninstructed in the study of those Medals of Creation--those electrotypes of nature--the mineralized remains of the plants and animals which successively flourished in the earlier ages of our planet, in periods incalculably remote, and long antecedent to all human history and tradition.

With this conviction the present volumes are offered, with such modifications of the original plan as circumstances have rendered necessary, as a guide for the Student and the Amateur Collector of fossil remains; for the intelligent Observer who may desire to possess a general knowledge of the subject, without intending to pursue Geology as a science; and for the Tourist who may wish, in the course of his travels, to employ profitably a leisure hour in quest of those interesting memorials of the ancient physical revolutions of our globe, which he will find everywhere presented to his observation.

Crescent Lodge, Clapham Common, _May_, 1844.

ADDRESS TO THE READER.

"Some books are to be tasted--others to be swallowed--and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some Books are to be read only in parts--others to be read, but not curiously--and some few to be read wholly and with diligence and attention."--Lord Bacon's Essays.

Anxious that the "Courteous Reader" should derive from this work all the information it is designed to impart, the Author presumes to offer a few words in explanation of the plan upon which it has been constructed, and some suggestions as to the best means of rendering its contents most available to the varied tastes and pursuits of different classes of readers.

In its arrangement, a three-fold object was had in view; namely, in the first place, to present such an epitome of Palæontology, the science which treats of the fossil remains of the ancient inhabitants of the Globe, as shall enable the intelligent Observer to comprehend the nature of the principal discoveries in modern Geology, and the method of investigation by which such highly interesting, and unexpected results, have been obtained..

Secondly, to assist the Collector in his search for Organic Remains,--directing attention to those objects which possess the highest interest, and are especially deserving of accurate examination--instructing him in the art of developing and preserving the specimens he may discover--and pointing out the means to be pursued, for ascertaining their nature, and their relation to existing plants or animals.

Thirdly, to place before the Student a familiar exposition of the elementary principles of Palæontology, based upon a general knowledge of the structure of vegetable and animal organization; to excite in his mind a desire for further information, and prepare him for the perusal and study of works of a higher order than these unpretending volumes; and to point out the sources from which the required instruction may be derived.

Although fully aware of the imperfect manner in which these intentions are fulfilled, the Author hopes that the indulgence claimed by one of the most able writers of our times may be extended to him; and that, "if the design be good upon the whole, the work will not be censured too severely for those faults, from which, in parts, its very nature would scarcely allow it to be free."[1]

[1] Sir E. B. Lytton--preface to the second edition of "The Disowned."

With regard to the best means of making use of these volumes, the advice of the great founder of Inductive Philosophy, on the Study of Books in general, expressed in the quotation prefixed to this address, is peculiarly applicable to the different classes of readers for whom the work is designed.

Thus, "_the Book may be tasted, that is, read only in parts_," by the intelligent reader, who requires but a general acquaintance with the subjects it embraces. The perusal of the introductory and concluding remarks of each chapter, of the general descriptions of fossil remains, and of the circumstances under which they occur,--omitting the scientific terms and descriptions,--and a cursory examination of the illustrations, will probably satisfy his curiosity; and the work may be transferred to the library for occasional reference, or taken as a travelling companion and guide to some interesting geological district.

But the Book "_must be swallowed, that is, read, but not curiously_," by the reader desirous of forming a collection of organic remains. A general acquaintance with its contents, and a careful investigation of the characters of the fossils, and comparison with the figures and descriptions, will be requisite to enable the amateur collector to determine the nature of the specimens he may discover.

By the Student the Book "_must be digested, that is, read wholly, and with diligence and attention_." He should fully comprehend one subject before he advances to the consideration of another, and should test the solidity of his knowledge by practical research. He should visit some of the localities described; collect specimens, and develope them with his own hands; examine their structure microscopically; nor rest satisfied until he has determined their general characters, and ascertained their generic and specific relations. Nor is this an arduous or irksome task; by a moderate degree of attention, a mind of average ability may quickly overcome the apparent difficulties, and will find in the knowledge thus acquired, and in the accession of mental vigour which such investigations never fail to impart, an ample reward for any expenditure of time and trouble.

It is, indeed, within the power of every intelligent reader, by assiduity and perseverance, to attain the high privilege of those who walk in the midst of wonders, in circumstances where the uninformed and uninquiring eye can perceive neither novelty nor beauty; and of being

"Even as one,
Who by some secret gift of soul or eye,
In every spot beneath the smiling sun.
_Sees where the Springs of living Waters lie!_"

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

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VOL. I.

Dedication, p. v.

Prefatory Note to the Second Edition, vii.

Preface to the First Edition, ix.

Address to the Reader, xi.

Table of Contents, xv.

Description of the Plates, xix.

List of Lignographs in Vol. I., xxxi.

Introduction, 1.

Preliminary Remarks:--On the Plan of the Work and the Arrangement and
Subdivision of the subjects it embraces, 8. Works of Reference, 8.
Explanation of Terms, 11. List of subjects, 12.

PART I.--Stratigraphy of the British Islands, and the Nature of
Fossils, 15.

Chapter I.--On the Nature and Arrangement of the British Strata and
their Fossils, 15.

Chapter II.--Synopsis of the British Strata, 23. Chronological
Arrangement of the British Formations; Modern or Human Epoch;
Post-Pliocene, 23. Tertiary Epochs, 24. Secondary Epochs, 25.
Palæozoic Epochs, 30. Hypogene Rocks, 34. Volcanic Rocks, 35.

Chapter III.--On the Nature of Fossils or Organic Remains, 37.
Incrustations, 38. Silicification, 40. Animal Remains, 43. Hints
for Collecting Fossil Bones, 45.

PART II.--Fossil Botany, 51.

Chapter IV.--Fossil Botany, 51. Fossil Vegetables, 51. On the
investigation of the Fossil Remains of Vegetables, 54. Endogenous
Stems, 56. Exogenous Stems, 56. Structure of Coniferæ, 57.
Botanical principles, 58. Exogens, 59. Endogens, 59. Investigation
of Fossil Stems, 61. Fossil Leaves, 64. On the Microscopical
Examination of Fossil Vegetables, 65. Mode of preparing slices of
Fossil Wood, 66.

Chapter V.--On Peat-wood, Lignite, and Coal, 69. Submerged Forests;
Peat, 70. Lignite, Brown-coal, Cannel-coal, 71. Bovey-coal,
72. Jet, 72. Wealden Coal, 73. Coal, 76. Stratification of a
Coal-field, 80. Origin and Nature of Coal, 82.