Parkinson, James; Outlines of Oryctology. An Introduction to the Study of Fossil Organic Remains; Especially of those found in the British Strata: Intended to Aid the Student in his Enquiries Respecting the Nature of Fossils, and their Connection with the Formation of the Earth. London, 1822. Octavo, pp. vii, errata, 346, 10 plates.

The work is complete and in a 19th century tooled calf binding with gilt titles and panels, marbled text block edges and end sheets. The binding is tight and clean. The text is very clean with armorial book plate on paste down. In very good condition.
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Parkinson (1755-1824); an English chemist and geologist is best remembered for his work "Organic Remains of a Former World" which Gideon Mantell considered to be "a memorable event in British paleontology. Most historians now overlook the fact that Parkinson was also suspected and questioned in the failed attempt to kill George III with a poison dart. Besides being an attempt to reconcile geology with Biblical teachings and chronology, "Organic Remains" is an early attempt at an illustrated index and review of plant and animal fossils. During the course of Parkinson's career a transformation had been taking place in how the science of geology was viewed. This was due chiefly to the dissemination, orally and by correspondence, of the discoveries of such noted scientists as Parkinson. His Oryctology was intended as a text for those studying British fossils and stratigraphy and is an early example of an attempt to catalog British fossils.