Reports and Proceedings — Geological Society of London. 329 



that the seeds of living organisms have persisted through all ages 

 from the dawn of that life in pre-Cambrian times down to the 

 present day. 



It is no doubt largely due to the doctrine of evolution which 

 Lyellhas applied to geology, and to his sound methods of reasoning, 

 based upon the study of the phenomena of existing Nature as 

 furnishing us with the safest interpretation of what has taken place 

 in the past history of our earth, that has given to his writings their 

 worldwide reputation and their greatest charm. 



In looking back upon the past history of the " Students' Elements," 

 as it was formerly called, we shall only be enhancing its value by 

 mentioning that its previous editions received, in addition to the 

 hand of Lyell himself, the labour of the late Prof. P. M. Duncan, 

 Mr. S. V. Wood, David Forbes, as well as of Robert Etheridge and 

 Prof. T. G. Bonney, so that its reissue under the able editorship of 

 Prof. Judd ought to assure for it a further profitable and protracted 

 term of existence. The introductory chapter, dealing with geology 

 in relation to other physical sciences and the causes which have 

 retarded the progress of geology, is new and gives an interesting 

 review of the science from the pen of one who is daily engaged in 

 its exposition. 



The illustrations are mostly excellent, and include not only 136 

 figures added since the last edition, but also a carefully prepared and 

 coloured geological map of England and Wales as a frontispiece. 

 The last six pages, devoted to appendices of living forms, should 

 be carefully revised in a new edition. By the adoption of double 

 columns and smaller type for the matter at the end of each chapter, 

 much additional information has been introduced without enlarging 

 the work more than by about 14 pages, nor has the price been 

 increased. 



We wish the work every success, and feel sure that its sale will 

 be as large and its merit as lasting as the remembrance of the name 

 of Lyell himself. 



BEPOETS J^JSTID HPIR-OOIEIEIDIISra-S- 



Geological Society of London. 



I.— May 27th, 1896. —Dr. Henry Hicks, F.R.S., President, in 



the Chair. 



The President announced that a portrait in oils of the late Prof. 

 Huxley had been presented to the Society by Sir John Evans, K.C.B., 

 For.Sec.G.S. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. "On the Pliocene Deposits of Holland, and their Relation to 

 the English and Belgian Crags ; with a Suggestion for the Establish- 

 ment of a new Zone ' Amstelien,' and some remarks on the 

 Geographical Conditions of the Pliocene Epoch in Northern Europe." 

 By F. W. Harmer, Esq., F.G.S. 



