  We consider the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmologies of theories of gravity
that generalise the Einstein-Hilbert action by replacing the Ricci scalar, R,
with some function, f(R). The general asymptotic behaviour of these cosmologies
is found, at both early and late times, and the effects of adding higher and
lower powers of R to the Einstein-Hilbert action is investigated. The
assumption that the highest powers of R should dominate the Universe's early
history, and that the lowest powers should dominate its future is found to be
inaccurate. The behaviour of the general solution is complicated, and while it
can be the case that single powers of R dominate the dynamics at late times, it
can be either the higher or lower powers that do so. It is also shown that it
is often the lowest powers of R that dominate at early times, when approach to
a bounce or a Tolman solution are generic possibilities. Various examples are
considered, and both vacuum and perfect fluid solutions investigated.
