126 report — 1859. 



At Tyndrum, where the mines have been longest wrought, there are three veins. 

 Besides quartz and the common spars, these veins contain copper pyrites, zinc- 

 blende, cobalt ore, titanitic iron, and iron pyrites. In one of the veins fragments of 

 mica-slate occur. In this neighbourhood also a very remarkable vein of quartz is 

 seen, running for miles like a high wall over hill and vale. It appears in many 

 places to have disturbed the associated strata. 



In conclusion, the author remarks that it is remarkable that Scotland should 

 possess so few mines. In this region the ores are very wide-spread, though only in 

 small quantity. Most of the discoveries have been made by the intelligent zeal of 

 the Marquis of Breadalbane, who takes a great interest in geological researches. 



On some Old Red Sandstone Fossils. By J. Wyllie. 



BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY, including PHYSIOLOGY. 



Address by Sir William Jardine, Bart., President of the Section. 



Although it has not been usual to occupy much time at the opening of the Sectional 

 Meetings, and in the address of last evening by our Royal President you were in- 

 formed of the general objects of the British Association, still it may be right that 

 I should remind the Section that our presence in this northern locality and the 

 peculiar and gratifying circumstances under which we have now met, are due to the 

 cultivation of pure and rigid science, and to the practical application of its principles. 



In the early days of the British Association the circumstances which were con- 

 sidered desirable, nay, in some instances were thought indispensable for a successful 

 meeting, were a populous neighbourhood connected in some way with learning, or 

 with commerce or manufactures, and to which there was an easy and rapid access ; 

 thus the universities, capitals, and large towns of the south were an early choice; 

 and in 1833, 1834, or 1835, Aberdeen, as a future place of meeting, never entered into 

 the thoughts of the most devoted extender of science. The inhabitants of this great 

 city may look back with satisfaction upon their own enterprise, which, by the appli- 

 cation of science, has so much modified and reduced time and distance and expense, 

 that hundreds of persons are enabled this day to meet together here and commune 

 with each other over the mighty agents which God has placed within their power. 

 To the same causes are we indebted for the proud position the British Association 

 now holds : Her Majesty and her Royal Consort give us their countenance and sup- 

 port, while Science enables them to communicate with London and the world 

 simply and freely, and thus it is that the peace of the world will be best preserved ; 

 for while on the one hand mind and science are engaged in continuing and perfecting 

 engines of destruction, of range and power far beyond what has ever been conceived 

 possible, they are at the same time widening and expanding the means of inter- 

 communication between the various nations of the world. I think, then, under 

 these circumstances, I am entitled to offer mycongratulations upon our meeting in this 

 northern position, and to express my satisfaction at again joining many old friends 

 and associates ; and if a graver feeling sometimes steals over at the absence of those 

 whom we have been wont to meet, it is softened and brightened by the sight of the 

 many new members that have come I trust to assist and take part in our discussions. 



Since we met last year in Leeds, Zoology and Botany I may say have steadily ad- 

 vanced. In Great Britain and Ireland the works which have been commenced in former 

 years — some have been finished, and others go on with their wonted energy. The fine 

 volumes incident to the Government expeditions, brought out at the public expense, and 

 under charge of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, have been mostly com- 

 pleted, with one exception, to which, we trust, the attention of Government will be 

 directed by some of our scientific friends in Parliament ; it is the Zoology of the Expe- 

 dition of the 'Erebus' and 'Terror' from 1839 to 1843. This was commenced in 1844, 

 and after a period of fifteen years, yet remains unfinished. The contributions to the 

 Natural History of Labuan and the adjacent coasts of Borneo, by Mr. Motley and 



