56 Geological Society. 



countries where the coal measures are wanting, it is difficult to arrive 

 at safe conclusions. We now begin to perceive, that even in England 

 strata of similar red colours reappear at intervals throughout the 

 descending order, from the base of the lias to vast depths within the 

 grauwacke series. Still less is a red sandstone to be identified with 

 the new red sandstone by the presence of salt j since it is now demon- 

 strated that this substance occurs in formations of all ages, from the 

 youngest tertiary to the oldest transition rocks. 



British Association for the Advancement of Science. — We 

 may now revert to the consideration of the general state of our native 

 geology. Connected, as our progress must be, with the advancement 

 of other branches of science, I am sure you will unite with me in re- 

 joicing that so much success attended the second assembly of the 

 British Association, held last year at Oxford. The cordial reception 

 its Members met with from that distinguished University, has been 

 the means of making known its objects, and advancing its interests -, 

 and its continued success is secured by the invitation of the sister 

 University to hold the ensuing meeting at Cambridge. 



A volume about to appear, containing the original Reports read at 

 Oxford, will sustain the high reputation of their respective authors j 

 and the cultivators of our science will gladly see that the recent pro- 

 gress and present state of geology found an able and eloquent expo- 

 sitor in our Vice-President Mr. Conybeare. 



I would further request your attention to the numerous important 

 queries, suggested by the Geological Committee of this body, which 

 will explain how intimately its objects are connected with our own. 

 If, indeed, it be essential to our progress to secure the zealous co- 

 operation of our friends in other departments of science, where can we 

 so well make known our wants, where can we better gather data for 

 the extension of our inquiries, or where find so good a solution of 

 our difficulties, as in a general Congress, which embodies men of 

 distinction from all parts of the British Isles ? 



But to you, Gentlemen, it is needless to expatiate on such obvious 

 advantages ; for already by your hearty cooperation you have striven 

 to uphold the merits of the British Association for the Advancement 

 of Science. So highly indeed have these efforts been valued, that 

 this great Institution has done honour to us, in selecting for their 

 last and their succeeding Presidents the geological leader of each 

 University, — men already enshrined in the hearts of all whom I now 

 address. 



Geological Desiderata. — The amount of geological labours per- 

 formed in Great Britain within the past year, indicates, I hope, a 

 continuance of exertion as vigorous as that of any former year; but 

 notwithstanding the good ends which have been realized, I feel that 

 there still remains a duty for me to perform before I quit this chair, by 

 placing before you a few of the essential desiderata at home, which 

 must be supplied before we shall have completed the sketch of the 

 geological structure of the whole kingdom. 



Much as has been written upon parts of Scotland, no comprehensive 

 work has yet appeared in the English language descriptive of the 



