72 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



his capacity as Treasurer. As a means of quickening the public 

 interest in our operations, and of aiding in the development of 

 Ireland's industrial resources, he has proposed a scheme to the 

 Council, the outlines of which it is now my duty to announce 

 to you. 



Dr. Haughton considers that the past history of the attempts 

 which have been made to develop the mineral resources of Ireland 

 affords a safe guide as to the particular directions in which that 

 development may be most profitably prosecuted. He accepts it as 

 demonstrated by experience, which has been purchased at great 

 cost, that the metallic ores occurring in this country — absence of 

 suitable fuel, &c., being taken into consideration — are, with one 

 notable exception, not of great present value. He further con- 

 siders it to be the case that the prospect of profitable exploitation 

 on an extended scale afforded by the coal-fields of Ireland is not 

 very encouraging. 



There are, however, on the other hand, mineral resources as to 

 the abundance and value of which there is no doubt whatever, and 

 to these he proposes that certain members of the Society should 

 direct their particular attention, with the view of drawing up a 

 series of reports or monographs which will, it is hoped, prove of 

 practical commercial value. 



The scheme has so far advanced that the duty of preparing 

 these reports has been allotted and undertaken as follows: — 



I. Paving Setts : Dr. Haughton. 

 II. Antrim Iron Ores : Professor Hull. 



III. Slates : Professor O'Eeilly. 



IV. Ornamental Building Stones : Professor V. Ball. 



V. Cements: ) ^^ ^ , ^^ ,> ^ 



-r, .. r^^ } JNot vet allotted. 



VI. Pottery Clays : ) '' 



The co-operation of all whose positions and opportunities may 

 enable them to give aid in the way of statistics or suggestions in 

 reference to these subjects is earnestly solicited, and all aid so 

 afforded will be duly and thankfully acknowledged. 



We hope to show by these reports that, while on occasions we 

 may occupy ourselves with questions of a more or less abstract 

 nature, we are not unmindful of what we conceive to be our duty 



