302 Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. 
this—the grand object of the institution. It is impossible for a 
few members to undertake the investigation of the whole county. 
It is therefore hoped, that, with the view of enabling the Society 
to complete its long-promised but still very defective Geological 
Map, members will, in their respective districts, endeavour to 
ascertain the nature and relations of the rocks, and transmit their 
observations made, and specimens collected, from time to time, 
to the Secretary, who will be very ready to assist their inquiries 
by any advice or information in his power. Any person, even 
although unacquainted with the principles of geological science, 
can, it is obvious, collect specimens of the various rocks in his 
vicinity: and members are requested to bear this in mind, with 
the assurance that collections of this kind, with the various éo- 
calities of the specimens affixed, will very materially promote the 
important object in view. One grand desideratum, and which 
might be very easily supplied by members resident in the different 
parts of the county,—is, to ascertain the exact limits of the dif- 
Serent granite and killas districts —The farmers and miners, in 
any part of Cornwall, could give this information to any gentle- 
man that would take the trouble to record it, or to trace the 
boundary lines on any of the county maps. 
«¢ Owing to the great expenses necessarily incurred by the esta- 
blishment of a new Museum, &c. the funds of the Society can- 
not be said to be in the most flourishing state :—It is however 
true, that, chiefly through the liberal donations of some distin- 
guished members, they are so far in a state of progressive im- 
provement as to permit the Council to promise that, before the 
next annual meeting, all incumbrances will be cleared, and a 
balance left for promoting the various objects of the Institution. 
‘¢ By order, 
“ Oct. 6, 1818. “¢ JoHN FoRBEs, Secretary.” 
ane following papers were then presented and read : 
. The first paper was by the Secretary, Dr. Forbes, and was 
a a of ** Eloge on Natural History.’ In deseanting on the 
various advantages arising from this study, the author took notice 
of its effects in augmenting our relish for the works of nature, 
by superadding the higher intellectual pleasures to the delights 
afforded by the mere contemplation of beautiful or sublime ob- 
jects; its power in preventing the evils flowing from an excessive 
and vague admiration of the works of nature; its ready and un- 
cumbersome association with other pursuits; its tendency to 
promote health and cheerfulness ; its power in averting and re- 
lieving unhappiness; its beneficial influence in leading to reli- 
gion; its conferring a relish for simple pleasures ; its influence 
in improving the taste and judgement, and in quickening our 
habits 
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