tity of the age of the beJs containing fishes in Herfordshirc and the north of Scot- 

 land, and the limestones containing corals and other remains in Devonshire. But 

 these questions had been settled by the discoveries in Russia. New formations 

 in the various seas are in the constant progress of creation, and these must contain 

 distinct organic remains, according to the localities; and thus the old theory of 

 universal formations is exploded. From the almost perfect horizontality of the Rus- 

 sian strata, it is evident that they now e-tist as when they were first deposited, undis- 

 turbed by the igneous rocks ; exhibiting evidences of a general rising of the land — or, 

 if not a general rising, it could be proved that there had been an oscillation, as in 

 some places there had been depression. He then referred to his own similar dis- 

 coveries in Scandinavia ; also to his discovery of Arctic sea shells at Udda valla, 

 two hundred feet above the level of the .sea; and, in Sweden, at six hundred feet. 

 This theory 4»f continuous formations, you are aware, originated with Mr. Lyell. 



I understood Mr. De la Beche not to agree entirely with the views of these gen- 

 tlemen, and especially to dissent from Mr. Murchison's proposition in reference to 

 characteristic fossils. He regarded them as good evidence, but inferior to the 

 proof of superposition, by which latter evidence he would be guided generally 

 when the two conflicted ; but he believed that fossil fish were the best fossil char- 

 acteristics. 



It does not, however, enter into the plan of this letter to analyze the difYcrent 

 lectures which were delivered, or the discussions on them, which almost invariably 

 ensued. I have attempted it only in this case because the subject was regard- 

 ed as peculiarly important. If I had the leisure, I might endeavor to present a 

 condensed view of some of the most interesting of the papers; but this is not very 

 necessary, as, in the course of the winter, the volume of Transactions at the re- 

 cent session will be published, and I will take measures to procure a copy for the 

 National Institution. I would particularly recommend to your notice Agassiz on 

 the Glaciers, Williamson the Combustion of Coal and the Prevention of the Gen- 

 eration of Smoke in Furnaces, Sir David Brewster's Papers, Dr. Chalmers on 

 Statistics, and Espy's on the Law of Storms; which last paper attracted much at- 

 tention, and was ably sustained by Professor Phillips.* 



The following programme will convey some idea of the distribution of time and 

 the organization of the Association : 



British Askociation foh thk Advascemkst or Scxksck. 

 Mceiinf^s, lujccursions, <?c., in September. 

 Wednesday, 16ih, I p. ni. General Committee, (Faculty Hall College.) a 



Thursday, I7ih, 10 a. m. Committees of Sections. 



I I a. n). Sectional Meetings. 



8 p. ni. General Mieiing, (Theatre.) 

 Friday, 18lh, 10 a.m. Conimittci-f. of Sections. 



I I a. m. Sectional .Meetings. 



S p. m. Promenade, (Exchange.) 



* Tho AltutiMDum cuniains a general account nf ihrao iranwctioiis, nml where my uolet were 

 deferilvr I h«vp giippltetl Oii> Jfficif nry fmm that snurrr in my nniice uf Miirchin.n'g mnrr i ii 

 Kiuaia ' ' 



