cxiv. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



scientific works in embossed type for the blind, to some of 

 whom they would doubtless be a boon. The Institute of Mining 

 and Metallurgy desires, amongst others, to adopt a weight of a 

 ton containing 2,ooolb., instead of, as at present, 2,240. It 

 seems to me that, putting aside the question of a complete 

 revolution in our weights and measures by adopting the decimal 

 system generally, nothing but confusion can result from these 

 scattered alterations, without a corresponding benefit. 



GEOGRAPHY. 



The address of the President of the Geographical Section of the 

 British Association consisted of an explanation of a dynamical 

 theory of the earth with regard to the distribution of continents 

 and oceans. The theory chiefly rests on the supposition that the 

 centre of gravity of the earth does not coincide with the 

 geometrical centre owing to irregularities of compression or 

 density ; it also considers modifications of form due to the earth's 

 rotation and former effects of the attraction of the moon. By 

 abstruse mathematical calculations, it produces a figure which 

 indicates in a somewhat vague manner the general lie of the 

 land, and thus gives to itself some locus stand i ; but so many 

 minor causes must have operated on the distribution of land and 

 water (even if we leave out the sensational theory that Australia 

 was a huge meteorite which fell into the sea and formed a new 

 continent !) that it would be impossible for any theory of their 

 origin to determine their present arrangement accurately. To 

 come to facts in this country there are several societies which aim 

 at the preservation of tracts of land containing special features 

 of interest, such as special plants and animals or ancient build- 

 ings ; one of the societies which has been brought more than 

 others into contact with our Club, and whose secretary is one of 

 our members, is the " National Trust for the Preservation of 

 Places of Historic Interest and Natural Beauty." I have already 

 alluded to this work in Germany, which is there carried out by 



