250 Answers to Mr. JFhicIi's Geological Queries. 



ful conduct must, and has already injured the cause of science: 

 for to my own knowledge many excellent experimenters have 

 retired from their labours in disgust, I have the same feeling ; 

 hut from my situation as professor to one of the first institutions 

 in Europe, I must continue to fight my vvay; not for myself so 

 much as for the cause of science, for I have already established 

 my original claim. 



I have many to oppose, hut with justice at my back I feel 

 myself equal to them all. Perfect security of every species of 

 property, whether it be scientific or otherwise, is thegreat spur to 

 industry; and this sacred security once removed, farewell to all 

 human efforts ! 



I am, sir. 



Your very humble servant, 

 Dublin Society, Martli 22, 18 i7. Wm. HlGGINS. 



LXIIT. Answers to the Geological Queries ly N. J.Winch, Esq. 

 rviili some Remarks, and further Queries proposed to that 

 Gentleman, and to oilier practical Investigators of the Strata 

 if the North of England. By A CoRRESPOiNDENT. 



To Mr. Tilloch. 



Sir, — i BEG to tender my best thanks to M/-. Winch for the 

 new facts regarding the interesti'.ig Stratification of Northumber- 

 land, Durham, Yorkshire, and Cumberland, which he has fur- 

 nished pp. 21)7 and 208 of your last Number ; being willing and- 

 anxious to consider these, as preludes to much more numerous 

 and precise loi al facts, in answer to my several Queries in p. 1 22 

 &;c. ; part of which, Mr. W. might now, perhaps, f\irnish from 

 his Notes, or will ere long, from inquiry or inspection of the 

 spots, be able, it is hoped, to furnish, and which I will still rely 

 on his kindness to do, and hasten to return the best answers in 

 my power, to his two queries in p. 208. 



Ist. I certainly consider, as I have understood Mr. Smith, 

 Mr. Farcy (P. M. xxxix. p. 256, and xliii. p. 256 &c.) ;uid many 

 others to do, the Alum-shale series and irregularly thin Coal- 

 series on it, in the north-east of Yorkshire, to he included in 

 the assemblagp of Strata, of an argillaceous character principally, 

 which Mr. Smith, its discoverer, found it convenient, and without 

 aiiv theoretic views to designate the " Clunch Clay •" — T decline 

 for obvious reasons entering into the discussion of " distinct 

 formations;" where "Doctors disagree," practical Men, in 

 search of facts and useful truths only, had better keep aloof. 



I will 



