Reports and Proceedings. 225 
chief of the recent discoveries. In the geological portion of his 
address, he referred to the formerly accepted theory that the world 
is but 6,000 years old, and said that investigations had prove l that 
it must in all probability be tens of thousands. He quoted several 
works on this point in substantiation of the argument, and urged 
that the study of Geology should enter more largely into the course 
of training at our Colleges for the Ministry, in order that students 
might be able to apply the light of its great truths to their teach- 
ings. The President next dwelt upon the question of the origin of 
species ; and, having adduced several existing theories thereon, in- 
cluding that of Darwin, remarked that the degree of similarity 
which was found to exist between man and the lower animals was 
to him additional evidence to that already given of the unity of 
creation. He spoke next in support of the principle of free discus- 
sion as the only way to elucidate truth; and, having adverted to the 
vast assistance that the inquirer might obtain from the study of the 
physical world—a study to promote which was the chief object of 
the Society,—he concluded an admirable speech by observing, that if 
the meeting induced any one to take up the study of a single branch 
of Science, he was quite certain the promoters would be “amply re- 
warded.—Addresses were delivered by the Rev. G. Hoade, J. Ley- 
land, Esq., the Rev. J. Cronshaw, and M. W. Peace, Esq., who, after 
his remarks, exhibited the newly discovered magnesium-light suc- 
cessfully. The visitors then dispersed for a further examination of 
the collections, and the proceedings closed at about half-past ten.— 
Wigon Newspaper. 
Huty Literary AND PHiLoOsopHIcAL SocieTy.—At the Fort- 
nightly Meeting, on Feb. 14th, the President, Dr. KeLtpurne Kine, 
sitid that the Council had been for some time considering in what 
way they could best fulfil two important objects: first, how they 
could promote the prosecution of Science, both among their own 
Members and the inhabitants of the town, in a more practical way 
than hitherto ; and in the second place, how they could render their 
admirable Museum useful to the community at large. In October, a 
Sub committee was appointed to take these matters into considera- 
tion, and, after due reflection, that Sub-committee brought forward a 
series of resolutions, which had been adopted by the Council.—(1) 
That it is desirable that Sections be formed in connection with the 
Literary and Philosophical Society, for the practical study of dif- 
ferent departments of Science. (2) That any twelve Members de- 
siring to study a particular branch of Science may form themselves 
into a Section for that purpose. (38) That each Section shall elect 
its own Office-bearers and be governed by its own Bye-laws, the 
latter subject to the approval of the Council. (4) That each 
Section shall be entitled to elect as Associates persons who are 
not Members of the Literary and Philosophical Society, such Asso- 
ciates having none of the privileges which belong to Members of the 
Society except in so far as the operations of the Section to which 
they belong are concerned. (5) The Sub-committee recommends 
VOL. II.—NO. XI. Q 
