Geological Society. 53 



Society must, from its brevity, be chiefly devoted to the review of the 

 discoveries and proceedings of the English school ; for so numerous are 

 the European observers, that a volume would scarcely suffice to eluci- 

 date their annual productions. In this place, therefore, I can simply 

 allude to a few of those writings which, from their comprehensive 

 nature, will best acquaint you with the recent pursuits of our coad- 

 jutors in various parts of the continent. 



M. Bou£, in his " Considerations generates sur la Nature et V Ori- 

 gine des Terrains de I? Europe," brings into discussion every great 

 general and theoretical question, with reference to the origin of each 

 formation, in the tone which peculiarly marks the present develop- 

 ment of the science. To the enlightened Reports of the Geological 

 Society of France, by the same learned author, I have made honour- 

 able allusion on a former occasion ; and I have now to notice the 

 last Report upon the progress of geology in France, by M.Desnoyers, 

 where the subjects that have occupied geologists are treated of under 

 distinct heads, in each of which the various matters are synthetically 

 grouped, their connexion clearly pointed out, and their cumulative 

 bearing on the science admirably stated. In short, this Report of 

 M. Desnoyers is conclusive evidence of the advantages which have 

 already flowed from the establishment of the Geological Society of 

 France, in giving a full view of the practical labours of all the geolo- 

 gists of that country, whose works without such an organ of commu- 

 nication would not have been understood or duly appreciated by the 

 scientific world. 



The unabated vigour of research which animates the geologists of 

 Prussia, is the natural effect of the examples of Humboldt and Von 

 Buch. Although your attention has already been drawn to several 

 individuals of this nation, whose discoveries had reference to the 

 topics contained in this address, a work of deep utility still remains 

 unnoticed, in the German translation of the Manual of Mr.De la Beche, 

 by M. Von Dechen, who in thus communicating to his countrymen 

 the essence of the practical geology of England, with which he is so 

 thoroughly acquainted, has further transfused through this volume all 

 the spirit and knowledge of the modern school of Germany. 



It is deeply to be regretted, that England is so ill supplied with 

 information of the proceedings of the geologists of Italy. In announ- 

 cing that we may soon look for the appearance of a map of the southern 

 flanks of the Alps, embracing all the sub-alpine regions, delineated 

 by three such competent geologists as the Marquis Pareto of Genoa, 

 M. Cristoforis of Milan, and M. Pasini of Schio, I may briefly remind 

 you, that the land which was the cradle of geology, still contains within 

 it men endowed with the intelligence and enterprise requisite to com- 

 plete those illustrations, which are essential accompaniments of the 

 present condition of the science*. 



* I have abstained, on this occasion, from noticing a recent Memoir of 

 M. Pasini, in which, supporting the theory of the Count Marzari Pencati, 

 and opposing the views of Von Buch, Bone, De Beaumont, and others, who 

 contend for the elevation of the secondary limestone of the Alps, he contro- 

 verts a sketch of my own upon the" Relations of the Tertiary to the Sc- 



