JOO 
NATURE 
[ Oct. 22, 1885 
useful undertaking of the Congress. It is an eminently 
practical piece of work, with an attainable aim which 
unites the geologists of all European States in a common 
definite labour. The engraving and colouring of the 
map are carried on in Berlin. Judging from the present 
state of the engraving and from the scheme of colours 
adopted, we may confidently anticipate that the com- 
pleted map will be a singularly clear and beautiful speci- 
men of cartography, and will form a noble monument of 
international co-operation. 
The second subject, to which the Congress devoted 
most of its time, was the unification of geological nomen- 
clature. Reports had been received from different 
countries as to the names and classification of the various 
subdivisions of the geological record. But the wide differ- 
ences of opinion expressed in these reports showed how 
little prospect there was that anything approaching to 
unanimity on such a subject would be reached by the 
Congress. It is to be feared, indeed, that the endeavour 
to unify stratigraphical nomenclature all over the world is 
more Utopian than practical. Nature is not everywhere 
uniform, and it seems almost puerile to strive after a 
uniformity of classification and terminology which has no 
counterpart among the rocks themselves. 
itself appeared to realise this, for it wisely postponed the 
consideration of all questions about which there could be 
any serious differences of opinion, and adopted only those 
propositions which nobody would controvert, and which 
hardly required an international congress to settle. Thus 
it was agreed that the Archzean rocks should be divided 
into sections according merely to petrographical cha- 
racters and without expressing any opinion as to their 
relative age. The vexed question of the Cambrian and 
Silurian classification was postponed until the next Con- 
gress three years hence. A day was spent in discussing 
the position of the Permian system, with the result of 
leaving it for the present where it is usually placed. The 
subdivisions of the Mesozoic and Tertiary rocks were 
rapidly enumerated, but no discussion of them was pos- 
sible in the time. In truth, it is difficult to see how any 
real effective discussion of these subjects can be attempted 
at the ordinary meetings of the Congress. The assembly 
is so large that probably only a fraction of the audience 
is really competent to express an opinion on the particular 
subject under debate. Some of the members who might 
contribute most valuable suggestions are deterred from 
so doing by their timidity in the use of the French 
language. To count the heads of so miscellaneous an 
audience and say that such and such are the decisions 
which it has voted can really carry little weight with the 
geologists of the world at large. Such at least was the 
opinion freely expressed among the members at Berlin. 
There was a very general feeling that the less the Con- 
gress attempts in the way of authoritative decision or 
legislation the more likely is it to carry on effectively 
other functions which are of far more general importance 
and usefulness. 
Thirdly, the reading of communications on geological 
questions of general interest. Several good papers were 
read, but the thinned audience showed that this part of 
the programme was not very popular. There seemed to 
be no careful selection of papers, for some of those that 
were read hardly deserved a hearing before an inter- 
national gathering of geologists. If this section of the 
proceedings is retained, it might be well to invite before- 
hand a few men of acknowledged reputation to give dis- 
courses, each on his own subject. There would be a strong 
desire to hear the masters of the science, and if three or 
four of them of different nationalities could be induced to 
accede to this proposal, there would be no need for 
catering among the rank and file of the assembly for 
papers to fill up the time. 
Fourthly, an exhibition of geological maps, sections, 
specimens, and models. This collection was arranged in 
The Congress | 
the room of the Bergakademie, and proved a source of 
much interest and instruction. The series of national 
geological surveys represented on the walls embraced a 
large part of Europe, and included some admirable ex- 
amples of cartography. Among the specimens special 
attention was given to those exhibited by Mr. Reusch, show- 
ing Silurian fossils in the crystalline schists of Norway, 
those of Dr. Lehmann illustrating his work on meta- 
morphism, the wonderful group of amphibian remains 
shown by Prof. Credner, the series of fossils brought by 
Dr. Torell from the Primordial and Lower Silurian rocks 
of Sweden, various collections from different localities 
among the Cretaceous rocks of Germany, and a remark- 
able assernblage of specimens of northern rocks and fossils 
from the drift of North Germany, exhibited by Dr. A. 
Remelé. 
Fifthly, excursions to places of geological interest. At 
the close of the Congress a large number of the members 
proceeded in a special train to Potsdam, and spent a day 
seeing the sights of that royal demesne. Next morning 
they started for Thale in the Harz, whence, under the 
able guidance of Prof. Lossen, they were enabled to see 
some of the more interesting features connected with the 
protrusion of the granite and the metamorphism of the 
surrounding rocks, likewise the succession of stratified 
rocks up to the Chalk, thrown against the flanks of the 
Harz. From Thale the party travelled to Stassfurt, and 
descended into the salt mines, which were illuminated in 
its honour ; thence to Leipzig, where Prof. Credner acted 
the part of host and guide, and from which an interesting 
excursion was made into the Saxon granulite region. 
But it is not by its formal and ostensible proceedings 
that the usefulness of the Congress is to be measured. 
There was a widespread feeling which constantly found 
audible expression, that the opportunities it afforded for 
personal intercourse and exchange of views were amply 
sufficient to justify its existence and to give assurance 
that it would long continue. The discussions among the 
animated groups in the corridors and ante-rooms were 
much more vivacious and probably quite as conclusive 
as those held in the large room. But most useful and 
enjoyable of all was the nightly A7ezfe held in some beer- 
saloon. There in a thick and pungent atmosphere of 
tobacco-smoke, amid the clattering of beer-jugs and 
shoutings for the Ae//zev, many of the foremost geologists 
of the Congress gathered together — stratigraphists, 
petrographers, paleontologists, mineralogists— full of 
scientific enthusiasm and good fellowship. Loud and 
long were the debates in these dim retreats. Tongues 
that had been shackled by French articulation now shook 
themselves free in the unrestrained vernacular of the 
country. There were no reporters of course, and no 
record remains of the discussions. But the recollection 
of these evenings will not soon pass away from the 
memory of those who took part in them. Men from 
distant parts of the world who had only known each 
other’s writings, or at most had exchanged letters, were 
here brought face to face, and the foundations of many a 
pleasant and profitable friendship were doubtless laid. 
Great praise is due to the organising Committee at 
Berlin, and especially to its indefatigable General Secre- 
tary, Herr Hauchcorne, for the arrangements made for 
the business of the Congress and the comfort of the 
visitors. Every detail seemed to have been carefully 
planned, and the result was evident in the smooth working 
of the whole machine. It was a great gratification to see 
the venerable Dr. Von Dechen presiding over such an 
assembly of geologists, and to hear his reminiscences of 
the early days of European geology. The éonhommie of 
the President, Prof. Beyrich, put everybody in good 
humour, and the active guidance of the former President, 
Prof. Capellini, contributed largely to the success of the 
Congress. 
The next session of the Congress is to meet in London 
