Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 1.djvu/8

 viii sections, are calculated to convey. In recording the donations, which have been made to this department of the Society's collection, the Editors of this volume feel no hesitation in expressing, on the part of the Members, a hope that it may continue to increase; both on account of the intrinsic value of such information, as laying the foundation of a general geological map of the British territory, and on account of the material assistance which it may afford to future inquirers. For, they are persuaded, nothing is more consonant to the wishes of the Society, than that every mineralogist, purposing to visit any part of the kingdom, should have free access to all documents which may happen to be in its possession.

The Editors also take occasion, on behalf of the Society, to acknowledge the valuable presents, which have been made to its library.

It would be superfluous to enumerate the many advantages which may be derived from Geology: it is sufficient to observe, that it offers to scientific research a field of inquiry, rich in the beautiful and sublime productions of nature; and that, practically considered, its results admit of direct application to purposes of the highest utility. It may also be remarked, that the means of acquiring such information are peculiarly great throughout every part of the British islands. No country contains, within an equal space, a greater variety of mineral substances; while our long and broken line of coast, and our numerous mines, furnish the most ample opportunities of making geological observations.

In the present imperfect state of this science, it cannot be supposed that the Society should attempt to decide upon the merits