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friend Mr. F. Rutley, F.G.S., has examined specimens from near 
Wrington, Weston-super-Mare, and Stoke Lane; his observations 
will shortly be published. . The syenitic dyke near Hestercombe 
and the volcanic ash at Adscombe near Nether Stowey, would 
lead to the supposition that other exposures of igneous rock in 
West Somerset will be determined, when that part of the county 
has been thoroughly explored. 
Moreover microscopic examination might very well be brought 
to bear upon the method of formation of many of the stratified 
rocks. 
In Mineralogy it would be interesting to learn something more 
about the occurrence of Mendipite, and also of the Lead-and- 
Zinc-ores in the Mendip Hills. The formation of Potato-stones 
too is a puzzle not yet explained. 
Apart from the solution of the questions just recorded, some of 
which would require extendéd researches, there yet remains 
constant work for the local geologist in examining and noting all 
sections exposed in the neighbourhood ; work which can only as a 
tule be done by one resident near the spots, because there are so 
many sections opened but for a short time ; such are the founda- 
tions of buildings, excavations for drainage, and many pits and 
quarries which are opened for a limited time. Railway-sections 
too require to be looked after when first made, for most of the 
cuttings soon become more or less obscured. The accounts of 
well-sections and trial pits are always of great importance, and 
are sometimes only retained in the memory of the sinker. More- 
. over, the organic remains, unless looked after, are generally 
neglected by the workmen. 
It is the recording of local facts, however trivial they may seem 
in themselves, that is the most valuable, although perhaps least 
appreciated, branch of geological inquiry. Upon the collection of 
such facts depends the grand deductions of the science. 
I may be pardoned, perhaps, if I allude briefly to the work of 
the Geological Survey, whose object is to map out the superficial 
