2I 
GEOLOGICAL SECTION. 
Two Meetings of the Section have been held during the Session. At 
the first, on November 8th, 1900, the President (MR. J. D. SIDDALL) put 
before the audience some ‘‘Notes on the Geology of the North Coast of 
Anglesey,’’ quoting some of the foremost geologists of the day to shew how 
varied were the opinions as to the exact classification of the rocks of the 
district. (Consult Quarterly Journals, Geological Society, August 1899, 
and May 1900, for Papers on recent investigations). 
At the second Meeting, on March 28th, 1901, the Hon. Secretary of the 
Liverpool Geological Society (Mr. H. C. BEASLEY) read a Paper on the 
‘Conditions represented by the Lower Keuper,’’ dealing with the physical 
and biological aspects, and explaining the difficulties in the way of correlation 
of the sparse Fauna of the period, Mr. W. J. CLARKE, of Upton Park, 
afterwards read a Paper on the ‘‘ Permo-Carboniferous Boundary,” more 
especially touching on the light thrown upon the subject by recent borings 
at Sealand and elsewhere. The author concluded that, underneath the 
Wirral Peninsula and the Western portion of the Cheshire Plain, true 
Permian Rocks were absent ; but that the Upper unproductive Coalmeasures 
probably attained a thickness of 1,700 feet, and the Lower Division of the 
Bunter 800 feet. 
EGERTON GILBERT, Secretary. 
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY SECTION. 
During the Session the following Lectures have been delivered under the 
auspices of the above Section :— 
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th, 1900— “Ancient and Modern Theories of 
Matter ”—Mnr. H. J. Bax. First Theories lost in Antiquity — Probably 
originated in India—Egyptians believed in a primal substance—Hence 
sought to transmute the base metals into gold—Their Chemistry a 
sacred profession— Greek Philosophers—Influence of Egyptian thought 
on their theories—Different Philosophers differ as to original sub- 
stance —Dual development of Greek Theories—Ethically by one school; 
Physically by another—Rise of Alchemy—The Arabian Alchemy— 
Its invasion of Europe—The Philosophers’ Stone—The Elixir Vite— 
Decay of Alchemy—Rise of Medico-Chemistry—Curious theory of 
man’s body—Theory of Combustion or Phlogiston—Destroyed by 
Lavoisier’s researches—The beginning of scientific study of matter— 
Dalton’s Atomic Theory—Its development — Periodic Law—Elements— 
Nature and size of atoms—How grouped together into molecules — 
Liquefaction of gases—Discovery of new elements. 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14th, 1901 —“ The Eye as an Instrument of 
Vision ’— Mr. FostER SMITH, B.Sc. Value of the Sense of Sight— 
The Eye: its setting, and external organs—Motion of Eyeball, and 
controlling Muscles. Internal Structure—Coatings of the Eyeball— 
Retina—Crystalline Lens—Iris —Pupil—Cornea, Formation of Images 
by a Lens—Action of a Photographic Camera—Application to the Eye. 
Inversion of Image—Accommodation—Long and Short Sight— 
Spectacles. Binocular Vision—Corresponding points—Estimation of 
distance—Perception of relief—Stereoscope. Optical Illusions and 
their explanations. Colour Vision. 
THURSDAY, APRIL 18th, 1901 —‘‘ Electric Car Systems compared ’— 
Mr. J, A. McMICHAEL, B.A., B.Sc. Superiority of Mechanical 
over Horse Traction—Classification of Electric Traction Systems— 
Conduit—Accumulators—Overhead or Trolley. Their advantages and 
disadvantages from a financial, zsthetic, and ‘Safety of the Public ” 
point of view. Accidents explained and summarised. Fatal Accident 
Statistics—Electric Cars 1, Horse 2, Railways 6}. Leakage—its 
effect on water and gas mains—Steps to prevent it. 
J. BAIRSTOW, Secretary. 
