100 PROF. J. LOGAN LOBLEY, F.G.S., ETC., ON 



of the subject, will be sufficient, I hope, to clearly show that 

 present terrestrial conditions are the result of innumerable 

 links in a chain of events extending throughout a vast 

 period of time, and that every one of those links was 

 necessary for its successor; and that therefore all have 

 been concerned in the preparation of man's abode. 



Even the vastness of the time has been a most important 

 factor in producing phenomena of every-day observation. 

 For to it is due the great range of the character of the 

 rocks, the extreme hardness of some and the softness of 

 others, Avhich give to us now our mountains and our vales. 



The composition of the original rocks has been the source 

 cf all we find of value to mankind in the present crust, and 

 the various geological changes that have taken place have 

 given variety to the rocks now at the surface, furnishing the 

 soils suited to the production of all that the varied wants of 

 ijian require. Regions we have for mining minerals, regions 

 for forest growths, areas for the growth of the plants that 

 give us food and all the many valuable products of the 

 vegetable kingdom. 



These plants, too, and the animals useful to man, have been 

 the ends of series contemporaneous with the geological 

 changes, and therefore part of the preparation of an earth 

 suitable for the habitation of man by the Creator. 



Still further may we say that the means of communica- 

 tion by water, the seas and rivers of the globe, by which 

 mankind can intermingle, spread the products of the land, 

 learn and progress, and subdue the earth, have also been the 

 result of the changes of the past. Nay more, beauty and 

 variety of landscape, beauty of field and flower, and even 

 the charm of the music of the birds, have all been the 

 outcome of this wonderful preparation extending throughout 

 geological time. 



Discussion. 



The Chairman. — I think you have already anticipated what I 

 was going to propose, viz., a cordial vote of thanks to Professor 

 Lobley for his interesting and instructive paper, dealing with so 

 many products of the past and present woidd, showing us the links 

 between the two and the successively higher forms of organic 



