GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE. the geologist is destined to pursue his investigations and extend his discoveries, by the consideration of analogies, and by inferences from limited observa tions ; by a combination of the operations of analysis and synthesis, according to the rigid rules of philoso phical induction. Geology thus necessarily assumes a high rank among the sciences ; and if it has not yet obtained to such an eminence as to claim a place among those which are esteemed accurate, its cultiva tors have the greater stimulus to observe rightly and reason truly; that they may place it on that proud elevation in the honours of which they must them selves participate. To illustrate these remarks by a reference to the actual state of geological knowledge, to the facts and analogies already ascertained, to those by which a mere observer may be misled, and to those modes of proceeding by which the truth may be established, would be abundantly easy. But, to the student, it would now recpiire the anticipation of many details ; and hereafter, when he shall have been put into pos session of them, it will no longer be necessary. Disgusted with visionary theories, actuated by a spirit of opposition, or influenced by narrow views, many geologists have wished to stop short in this ca reer; surrounding themselves with a circumscribed boundary, and refusing to inquire into those revolu tions, of which the earth every where presents the most impressive traces, to attempt an explanation of their causes, or to connect, by a just theory, all those marks of change which are the proper objects of a philosophical system of Geology. Others, have op posed the progress of rational geology, by confound ing primary and secondary causes. Because tbe poe tical imagination of Bufl'on has created worlds, they