A SERIES OF AUTOBIOGRAPHIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. BY J. E. TAYLOR, F.L.S., F.G.S., &c. AUTHOR OF 66 HALF-HOURS AT THE SEASIDE," HALF-HOURS IN THE HARVARD 5621 LONDON: WYMAN AND SONS, PRINTERS, GREAT QUEEN STREET, PREFACE. THE "Stories" whose collection make up this little volume originally appeared in 'Science Gossip' and other magazines. They are now arranged in their geological order, so that it has been attempted to give as simple and picturesque a view of the past history of the globe as possible. The favourable reception given to the "Stories" during their separate publication was an encouragement to their issue in the present form. The illustrations which now appear are an addition, and, it is hoped, they will assist in rendering that part of the text which may be confused more intelligible. The author feels sure that scientific men are too anxious to have their audiences increased, to quarrel with any honest means by which that desired end may be brought about. In the publication of these "Stories," no other object has been in view than that of trying to make the number of people who were prejudiced against, or careless about, the grand deductions of Geology interested in a science which is now influencing almost every department of modern thought. |