410 Geological Society. 



every Stroke therefore of the polishing ?tone we crush to pieces se- 

 veral thousands if not myriads of perfect fossils. 



Gentlemen, — Although I have already extended this Address be- 

 yond the usual limits, I cannot conclude without congratulating you 

 on the appearance of Dr. Buckland's Bridgewater Treatise, a work 

 in the execution of which the author has most skilfully combined 

 several distinct objects. He has briefly explained the manner in 

 which the materials of the earth's crust are arranged, and the evi- 

 dence which that arrangement affords of contrivance, wisdom, and 

 foresight. He has also given us a general view of the principal facts 

 brought to light by the study of organic remains ; thus contributing 

 towards the filling up one of the greatest blanks which existed in 

 the literature of our science, while at the same time he has pointed 

 out the bearing of these phaenomena on natural theology. 



He has shown that geology affords one kind of testimony perfectly 

 distinct from natural history of the adaptation of particular means 

 and forces to the accomplishment of certain ends for which the habit- 

 able globe has been framed. " These proofs are illustrated in the 

 author's chapters on the origin and mechanism of springs, on the 

 distribution of metallic and other minerals in the earth, and the 

 position of coal in stratified rocks. In reference to these points it 

 is demonstrated that some even of the most irregular forces have 

 produced highly beneficial results, in modifying the subterranean 

 economy of the globe. But I shall not dwell on this part of the 

 Treatise, but pass on at once to that which constitutes the body of 

 the work, and which relates to palaeontology. 



In considering this department, the number and variety of objects 

 which offer themselves to the naturalist are so great, that the choice 

 was truly embarrassing. Dr. Buckland has judiciously selected a 

 few of the most striking examples from each of the great classes of 

 organic remains, and when speaking of extinct animals, has ex- 

 plained the method by which the anatomist and physiologist have 

 been able to restore the organization of the entire individual, by 

 reasoning from the evidence afforded by a few bones or other relics 

 preserved in a fossil state. He has described the parts of the 

 living animal or plant most nearly analogous to those which are 

 found buried in the earth, usually illustrating by figures the di- 

 stinctness and at the same time the resemblance of the recent and 

 extinct species, showing that all are parts of one great scheme, and 

 that the lost species even supply links which are wanting in the 

 existing chain of animal and vegetable creation. 



It is impossible to read the account given of the Megatherium, 

 and to contrast it with that drawn up by Cuvier of the same species, 

 without being struck with the increased interest and instruction, and 

 the vast accession of power derived from viewing the whole mecha- 

 nism of the skeleton in constant relation to the final causes for 

 which the different organs were contrived. 



The chapter on saurian and other reptiles has afforded the Pro- 

 fessor another beautiful field for exemplifying the infinite variety of 



