188 ReporU and Proceedings — Geological Society of London. 



since the last annual meeting, including Dr. G. M. Dawson (elected 

 in 1875), Professor E. W. Clavpole (el. in 1879), the Hon. Clarence 

 King (el. in 1874), Mr. J. H.^Blake (el. in 1868), Professor Ealph 

 Tate (el. in 1861), Mr. J. Shipman (el. in 1885), the Kev. Frederick 

 Smithe (el. in 1858) ; Professor Gustav Lindstroni (el. For. Memb. 

 in 1892), and Baron A. E. Nordenskiold (el. F.M. in 1880). 



He then dealt, in continuation of the address delivered last year, 

 with the evolution of petrological ideas as regai'ds the sedimentary 

 and metamorphic rocks. 



The influence of the growth of knowledge as to the nature of the 

 sedimentary rocks, the chemical and physical processes involved in 

 their formation, and the deposits now forming, was traced in more 

 or less detail. Special attention was directed to the importance of 

 experimental research, suggested and controlled by an intimate 

 knowledge of the facts of geology. 



It was pointed out that the natural history of our sedimentary 

 formations requires for its elucidation, not only a study of the 

 phenomena taking place in sea-basins and areas of open drainage, 

 but of those of desert regions and areas of closed drainage; and that 

 the recognition of this fact by Eamsay and others marks a distinct 

 advance in the evolution of ideas. The researches in desert regions 

 by W. T. Blanford, 0. Fraas, Schweinfurth, J. Walther, and others 

 were referred to, and their results epitomized. 



In the part relating to ci-ystalline schists it was pointed out that, 

 if gneissose rocks of original igneous origin be left out of account, 

 the remainder consist for the most part of metamorphic rocks ; and 

 the growth of opinion on the subject of metamorphism as applied to 

 crystalline schists was briefly traced. The idea that mixed rocks 

 might be formed by the intrusion of one kind of igneous rock into 

 another or into a sedimentary rock was favourably reviewed, and 

 its bearing on the origin of certain crystalline schists was indicated. 



The theory of dynamo-metamorphism was commented on; and it 

 was pointed out that the advocates of the theory had not suggested 

 that the deformation which resulted in the production of holo- 

 crystalline schists took place at ordinary surface temperatures. 



In conclusion it was pointed out that, although great progress 

 had been made in the interpretation of crystalline schists, our stock 

 of ideas was insufficient to furnish a complete and satisfactory 

 account of their origin. 



The ballot for the Council and Officers was taken, and the following were declared 

 duly elected for the ensuing year: — Council: F. A. Bather, M.A., D.Sc. ; W. T. 

 Blanford, LL.D., F.E.S. ; Sir John Evans, K.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D., F.E.S. 

 Professor E. J. Garwood, M.A. ; Sir Archibald Geikie, D.Sc, D.C.L., LL.D. 

 F.E.S. L. & E. ; Professor T. T. Groom, M.A., D.Sc. ; Alfred Harker, Esq., M.A. 

 R. S. Herries, Esq., M.A. ; W. H. Hudleston, Esq., M.A., F.E.S., F.L.S. 

 Professor Charles Lapworth, LL.D., F.E.S. ; Lieut.-Gen. C. A. McMahon, F.E.S. 

 J. E. Marr, Esq., M.A., F.E.S. ; Professor H. A. Miers, M.A., F.E.S. ; Eight Eev 

 John Mitchinson, D.D., D.C.L. ; E. T. Newton, Esq., F.E.S. ; G.T. Prior, M.A. 

 D. H. Scott, M.A., Ph.D., F.E.S., F.L.S. ; Professor H. G. Seeley, F.E.S., F.L.S. 

 Professor W. J. Sollas, M.A., D.Sc, LL.D., F.E.S. ; Arthur Sopwith, Esq. 

 M. Inst. C.E. ; J. J. H. Teall,Esq., M.A., F.E.S. ; Professor AV. W. Watts, M.A. 

 Henry Woodward, LL.D., F.E.S. 



