TO
D A V I E S G I L B E R T , ESQ.
D .C . L . (BY DIPLOMA), F .R .S . , HON. M. R .S .E . , HON. M. II. I . A .,
F .S .A . , F . L .S ., F .G .S . , F .R .A .S ., ETC. ETC.
MY D EA R S IR ,
I o n l y fulfil a gratifying duty in dedicating
to you the present Essay, which owes its
existence principally to your favourable opinion
of my ability to discharge the trust
confided to me.
To have been thus selected for such a service,
is a distinction which I prize, as one of
the most honourable results of my devotion
of many years to the study of the mineral
structure of the Earth. I fear, however, that
your estimate of my qualifications has been
raised above my deserts, by your affectionate
regard for the University, with which it has
been our common happiness to be so long
connected.
G. b
