Notes and Comments. 28 
the mere geologist is very much beyond his depth. Let us 
return to our orderly studies, our patient hammerings, our 
rock-slices, our chiselling out of fossil shells. Behind it all 
is the earth itself, quiescent, it may be, but by no means in 
the sleep of death. As Termier puts it, ‘ La planécte n’est pas 
encore morte; elle ne fait que dormir.’ 
PROF. W. R. SCOTT’S ADDRESS. 
A strong note on current topics was sounded in Prof. W. R. 
Scott’s address to the Economic Science and Statistics Section. 
Not the least dominant phase of the present epoch-making 
struggle is the economic one; and it is inevitable that con- 
sideration should be given to some of the reactions of this 
great war upon industry, credit and finance. In many repsects 
the economic problems that will confront us after the war will 
be even more serious, and certainly not less difficult, than those 
of the present time. Still there can be no doubt that these 
will be faced with courage and patience. The period of stress 
through which we are passing has shown the unity of thought 
and purpose throughout the whole Empire. And this, in spite 
of many appearances to the contrary, will be a great asset in 
the future. The great national emergency has caused a closing 
of the nation’s ranks, and it rests with us to keep them firm 
and steadfast when peace returns. There are plain signs that 
it may not always be easy, since so many industrial and other 
difficulties have been carried forward as a suspense account 
which is to be dealt with when the war is over. National unity 
is enabling us to progress towards victory, and the same unity 
will be required to enable us to reap the full fruits of that 
victory at home. It would be a mad waste not to employ the 
qualities of heart and mind which have been aroused in this 
great struggle in the service of peace and social progress. The 
future may be difficult for some years to come, but difficulties 
are the opportunities of the strong and courageous. It has 
fallen to us to live in an heroic age; and, if we remain true to 
ourselves and to our high destiny, we shall have the strength 
and the fixity of purpose to achieve greatly in peace as well as 
in war. 
MR. R. H. REW’S ADDRESS. 
Similarly in his address to the Agricultural Section, Mr. 
Rew referred to the effect of war especially on farming and 
on food supplies. In total weight of food-stuffs, the quantity 
brought to our shores was rather larger in time of war than 
in time of peace. Yet one still occasionally meets a purblind 
pessimist who plaintively asks what the Navy is doing. This 
is a part of the answer. It is also a measure of the success 
of the much-advertised German ‘ blockade’ for the starvation 
of England. So absolute a triumph of sea-power in the first 
1915 Oct. 1. 
