850 EDITORIAL 
Russian geologists, partly by reason of the fewness of the papers 
contributed and partly because of the resolution passed by the 
petrographers present that the time had not arrived for the deter- 
mination of general principles for the classification and nomen- 
clature of rocks. This, together with the absence of any report 
from the committee appointed at the sixth session of the congress 
prevented a discussion of principles and appeared to be a direct 
reproof of the geologists who had suggested the discussion. It 
should not be so considered. It was in fact an indication of the 
wide divergence of opinion on the subject of classification and 
nomenclature among petrologists and of the consciousness of the 
rapid changes that are taking place in our knowledge of the 
elements involved, which would render hasty deliberation fruit- 
less. But there is no question that had a report been presented 
by the committee it would have elicited a most vigorous discus- 
sion. Itis to be remarked also that an effort on the part of the 
petrologists to replace the former committee by a more actiye 
one was voted down by the help of those geologists who appeared 
most anxious to have the problem advanced. The undertaking 
is of such a serious nature that few cared to offer new suggestions 
without very careful consideration. Nevertheless the agitation 
will undoubtedly prove beneficial, and as great advances could 
be recognized to have taken place since the meeting of thesixth 
session at Zurich, still greater ones may be expected by the 
time of the Paris meeting, when it is hoped that the committee 
will present a report which may not only form the basis for 
discussion but a foundation for permanent reforms. J. P. I. 
