REPORTS 
ON 
THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 
Tue present, Fourth, and probably last Report on Earthquakes that I shall 
have the honour of presenting to the British Association, has for its objects 
the discussion of the great catalogue of earthquakes printed in several prece- 
ding volumes of its ‘ Transactions,’ the last portion of which only appeared in 
type in 1855, and the completion, as far as possible, of the complement of the 
other desiderata mentioned at the conclusion of the First Report (1850). 
The pressure of other occupations, with some uncontrollable circumstances, 
have delayed for nearly three years its appearance: the delay, however, 
has not been without advantage; it has enabled me more fully to grasp 
additional conditions and difficulties, before unnoticed, of some branches of 
the subject, and to derive advantage from the contemporaneous labours of 
the few physicists who are engaged in Seismology ; foremost amongst whom 
stands M. Perrey of Dijon. 
The reader will with advantage refer to the conclusions of the Second 
Report (1851), as to the construction of the catalogue which constitutes 
the Third (1854), before perusing the present ; as well as to the concluding 
note of that Report, in which it is stated that the catalogue commencing at 
1606 8.c., and originally proposed to be extended in its tabular form to the 
end of 1850 A.p., was concluded at the end of the year 1842, from which 
period up to 1850, and indeed later still, the catalogues of Prof. Perrey 
supply all that is needful, though it is to be regretted that they are not 
tabulated for more convenient reference. But although the British Asso- 
ciation Catalogue concludes with 1842, the discussion of facts has been 
extended to the end of 1850, the base of induction for the last eight years 
being supported by the labours of Perrey. 
The whole base of induction therefore for such conclusions as are here 
to be attempted,—embracing between 6000 and 7000 separate recorded earth- 
quakes over every known part of the globe, both on land and ocean,—the 
character of the facts given,—their scantiness as to information of scientific 
value,—the methods, or rather the want of all method, in their observation, 
and other causes, mentioned in the Second Report,—I think justify me in 
stating my conviction, that nearly all that can be drawn from the collection 
and discussion of such records has now been done, and that the labour of 
collecting and calculating further and future Seismologues will be in a great 
degree thrown away, unless the cultivators of science of all countries,—in 
conjunction with the scientific bodies and the scientific departments of the 
chief civilized governments of the world,—sball unite in agreeing to some 
one uniform system of seismic observation, and record and transmit the results 
1858. ‘ B 
