3 1 6 Geological Society. 



Mr. Bakewell observed, that much yet remained to be 

 done to improve the processes oF metallurgy, and, what 

 was of more imjjortance, to provide for the health and 

 safety of the persons who labour in mines and the reduc- 

 tion of ores. The immense annual sacrifice of lives in the 

 iTiines of Pern is a melancholy instance of the baneful ef- 

 fects resulting from ignorance, tyranny, and avarice. In 

 Mexico, according to late observation, the condition of the 

 miners is much improved. Science, Mr. B. observed, had 

 ever been found the friend of man ; and when she shall 

 dawn on those regions, her beneficent effects will soon be 

 felt: she will teach him to supply subterranean works with 

 salutary currents of air, and extend liis researches with safety 

 to far greater depths than have yet been explored. Scien- 

 tific pursuits are not, as some may imagine, unprofitable 

 speculations: they have always a tendency to enlarge the 

 sphere of human power, to add lo our comforts^ and lessen 

 the evils of suffering humanity. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 



j4priJ 3. — Two new members were admitted. Two com- 

 munications were announced, and the receipt of variou3 

 presents of books and specimens was reported by the Se- 

 cretary. 



A notice relative to the geology of the coast of Labra- 

 dor, by the Rev. Mr. Steinhauer, was read. 



The only, accounts that have been hitherto published 

 concerning this [)art of the British dominions are the Me- 

 moir of Mr. (afterwards Sir Roger) Curtis, inserted in the 

 Philosopliical Transactions, and Mr. Cartwright's Journal. 



The Moravian Missionaries in 1772 established in this 

 'country their first settlement, called Nain, in lat. bQ'' 38'; 

 and subsequently Okkak in lat. SS*^ 43' ; and Hopedale 

 in lat. 55" 3f/. In ihq course of the last year they doubled 

 Cape Chudleigh in lat. 60"^ 20', and descended on the west.- 

 ern side of the same promontory as far as lat. 58'^ 36'. 



The leisin^e of the Missionaries, when opportunities oc- 

 cur, is employed in collecting materials for a n'ltural his- 

 tory of the country; they have kept tal)Ies of the thermo- 

 metrical and barometrical variations, have procured speci- 

 mens of most of the native vegetable productions, and have 

 irom time to time sent over specimens of such minerals as 

 attracted their notice. 



The general aspect of this dreary region is that of bare 

 and barren rock towering in craggy eminences, and of sandy 



marshes^ 



