Geology

Transcriber's Notes
The only minor correction that was noted in converting this document from a printed version into an electronic version was an unpaired parenthesis on the first line of the Title Page.
CHAMBERS'S ELEMENTARY SCIENCE MANUALS.
GEOLOGY
JAMES GEIKIE, LL.D., F.R.S.
OF H.M. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY; AUTHOR OF 'THE GREAT ICE AGE.'
W. & R. CHAMBERS LONDON AND EDINBURGH 1883
Edinburgh: Printed by W. and R. Chambers.

PREFACE.
The vital importance of diffusing some knowledge of the leading principles of Science among all classes of society, is becoming daily more widely and deeply felt; and to meet and promote this important movement, W. & R. Chambers have resolved on issuing the present Series of Elementary Science Manuals. The Editors believe that they enjoy special facilities for the successful execution of such an undertaking, owing to their long experience—now extending over a period of forty years—in the work of popular education, as well as to their having the co-operation of writers specially qualified to treat the several subjects. In particular, they are happy in having the editorial assistance of Andrew Findlater, LL.D., to whose labours they were so much indebted in the work of editing and preparing Chamber's Encyclopædia .
The Manuals of this series are intended to serve two somewhat different purposes: