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his known character, but also from the estimation in which he holds this department. “ The inferior stratified rocks,” he observes, “ may not at first sight be so attractive as the contemplation of the varied forms of organic life, and the probable conditions under which it may have existed; but it will, nevertheless, be found equally, if not more, delightful as the enquirer obtains more certain results, from the in vestigation being conducted through the medium of the exact sciences.” * Under the circumstance, therefore, of the returning at tention ot geologists to this long neglected branch of the science, my labours may now meet with a more favour able reception than they would have some years ago, when the study of the granitic formations was regarded as an un profitable pursuit, the riches of which had been exhausted. And it is hoped that the details here collected may prove instructive to the student, by conveying a more accurate idea of the nature of the primary rocks than he has, hitherto, been able to obtain: and they may not, perhaps, be altogether unacceptable even to the experienced geologist, as they may serve to call to his recollection, and to place in one point of view, many scattered and insulated facts, which can scarcely fail to appear more luminous by the concentration of their diverging and individually feeble rays into one narrow and well-defined focus. It has always been kept in view as an important object, to preserve these details as free as possible from all hypothesis: but the language of the science is, in many instances, so en grafted and founded on theoretical speculations that it could not be always accomplished; for, in some cases, the pub lished descriptions would not admit of translation into less exceptionable language without the risk of perverting the author’s meaning, or of incurring the imputation of mis representing facts. Geological Manual, 8vo. p. 432. B 3