_ Nov. 10, 1881] 
discussion of the names to be employed in describing 
the various groups of beds, on which subject a prelimi- 
nary report had been prepared by M. Dewalque. English 
geologists have always used the term “formation” to denote 
a group of beds, sometimes large, sometimes small ; thus 
we should speak of the Silurian formation or of the 
Liassic formation. The word is rarely used in this sense 
by Continental geologists; they use it only as descriptive 
of the mode of origin or mode of formation, or as descrip- 
tive of the nature of the material composing the rock. Thus 
they might speak of the “chalk formation,’’ but never of 
the ‘‘cretaceous formation.’’ It was necessary for the 
English to make some concession on this point, which 
should satisfy the representatives of other countries with- 
out unduly committing English geologists. Prof. Hughes 
proposed a resolution recommending the use of the word 
“formation” as far as possible in the Continental sense. 
A long ‘discussion followed respecting the value to be 
attached to certain words in descriptive geology, and 
ultimately it was resolved to employ them in the following 
order, the most comprehensive term being placed first :— 
Tivisions of sedimentary formations. | Corresponding chronological term. 
.Groupe Cycle 
Systeme Période 
Ss eat Epoque 
Etage Age 
With regard to the term Sé7ze a difficulty occurred, in 
consequence of there being no precisely similar equivalent 
in the German or Russian languages. This question was 
referred to the Council, who recommended the use of the 
terms Série, Section, or Abtheilung as equivalent, terms. 
Also as regards the term Asszse (subdivision of Z¢age) a 
reservation was carried leaving each nation to choose the 
word which most nearly expresses the same meaning 
(deds, couches). 
There was much more down for discussion, especially 
with reference to proposed uniformity of language, ter- 
minations of words, &c. ; but it was resolved to postpone 
these questions till the next meeting of the Congress, by 
which time it might be possible to arrive at some common 
terminology for eruptive rocks, &c. 
The second part of the work of the Congress related to 
the colours and signs employed in geological maps. On 
this subject a general report had been drawn up by Prof. 
Renevier, based upon the reports of various national 
committees. Much has been said about the solar spec- 
trum and its order of colours, and Prof. Renevier’s reso- 
lution, as originally drawn up, proposed a system of 
colour based on this natural order; but so many and im- 
portant deviations from this natural order were recom- 
mended by different nations, that it was thought better to 
omit all reference to the solar spectrum. Resolutions 
were passed recommending the adoption of a common 
scale of colours for all nations, especially in view of 
general maps. (¢ravawx a’ensemble) ; but without reference 
to maps now in course of publication. The following 
colours were adopted :— 
For crystalline schists of Pre-Cambrian age—bright rose-carmine, 
45 6) a unknown age—pale rose-carmine. 
2, Palozoic rocks (question reserved for Map Committee). 
3, Jrias—Violet. 
5, Lias—Dark blue. 
3, Jurassic—Blue, 
3, Cretaceous—Green. 
Tertiary group—Shades of yellow; the newer divisions to 
be the lighter tints. 
The subdivisions to be shown by shades of the colour 
adopted, or by coloured lines ; the darker shades denoting 
the older subdivisions. Sedimentary formations to be 
denoted by the initial Roman capital of the name of the 
formation; subdivision of formations to be shown, in 
addition to this, by the initial small letter of the name of 
NATURE 
35 
the subdivision. Still smaller subdivisions to be shown 
by figures added to the other signs; the figures to be 
taken in chronological order—1r denoting the oldest sub- 
division. Eruptive rocks to be denoted by the initial 
Greek capital of the name of the rock. 
The Congress resolved to prepare and publish a geo- 
logical map of Europe, and for this purpose a committee 
was appointed. Any committee having representatives 
of all the countries of Europe would be too large ; it was 
therefore necessary to limit the number of nations to be 
directly represented; at first this was fixed at five, but 
afterwards the committee was increased to eight. Great 
Britain received the largest number of votes, France 
coming second, Germany third. The committee was 
finally elected as follows :—Beyrich (for Germany, and 
also as director of the map); Daubrée (France); De 
Moeller (Russia) ; Giordano (Italy); Hauchecorne (as 
assistant director) ; Mojsisovics(Austro-Hungary); Rene- 
vier (Switzerland, and also as secretary) ; Topley (Great 
Britain). The map will be published at Berlin ; the scale 
was fixed at I : 1,500,000; the cost is estimated at about 
2500/.; and application will be made to the various 
Governments of Europe for monetary aid. 
In most of the countries not directly represented, 
arrangements will subsequently be made by the com- 
mittee ; but it was settled that Austria should take charge 
of Turkey, France of Algeria, &c. (or of so much of that 
district as comes within the limit of ‘the map), Great 
Britain of Palestine, it being hoped that much geological 
information, which may be available for this purpose, is 
in possession of the Palestine Exploration Society. 
At a subsequent meeting it was arranged that a com- 
mittee, formed for the most part of vice-presidents, 
should be formed to co-operate with the Map Com- 
mittee with regard to questions of nomenclature, classi- 
fication, &c. Prof. Hughes represents England on this 
committee. 
One sitting of the Congress was devoted to adiscussion 
of the nomenclature of species. Upon this question only 
the French committee had sent a report, and no great 
amount of work was done. The Congress, however, 
recommended the use of a generic and a specific name, 
to be followed, when necessary, by that of the variety. 
The nomenclature to be Latin or Latinised. When the 
original name of the genus is not preserved, the name of 
the author of a new specific name is to be placed within 
brackets. 
At the close of the Congress an excursion was made to 
Florence, Pisa, and the marble quarries of Carrara. For 
this free tickets or a special train were provided for all 
members. At each place the municipality received the 
Congress and did its utmost to render the excursion a 
success. At Florence the new Museum of Natural His- 
tory was inspected, and then the Congress adjourned to 
the crypt of San Lorenzo to place a wreath on the tomb 
of Steno (who died in 1687), and to hear an oration by 
Prof. Smidt of Copenhagen. At Pisa the Natural History 
Museum was visited, this being very rich in geological 
and prehistoric remains from the district. 
An important result of the Congress has been the 
foundation of a Geological Society of Italy, of which 
Prof. Meneghini is president, Prof. G. Capellini vice- 
president, and M. Pantanelli secretary. So much good 
geological work is now being done in Italy that it is of 
great importance to collect the scattered workers into one 
central society. 
The next meeting of the Congress has been fixed for 
1884 at Berlin, with Dr. E. Beyrich as president; but 
preliminary meetings, with reference to the geological 
map of Europe, are to be held next year at Foix, in the 
Pyrenees (at the annual meeting of the Geological Society 
of France), and in 1883 in Switzerland. It was generally 
understood that the fourth meeting of the Congress would 
be held in England. 
