SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— K*, L. 437 



Afternoon. 

 Discussion above continued (2.15). 



Mr. A. C. Forbes. — The relation of macroscopic tree remains in peat to 

 post-glacial climate (3.0). 



The occurrence of pine, oak, and other stumps in marsh peat bogs, often 

 in horizontal layers, has generally been attributed to climatic causes. Dry 

 periods are supposed to have promoted forest growth over the bog surfaces, 

 while wet cycles brought about its decline or destruction. Peat layers with 

 and without tree roots would thus alternate during periods which have been 

 termed ' Forestian ' and ' Turbarian ' respectively. 



A careful review of all the available evidence leads to the conclusion that 

 marsh bogs show no indication of having become either materially wetter 

 or drier at the time tree growth established itself on their surfaces. The 

 horizontal root development and the short intervals which elapsed before 

 the stumps were protected by a wet peat covering from atmospheric 

 influences definitely confirm this conclusion. 



Forest growth originated and developed on a saturated stratum of 

 partially consolidated peat until the peat-carrying roots gradually sank 

 below the water table, and the trees succumbed. This process could repeat 

 itself until the bog water became too acid, and only able to support sphagnum 

 or high bog. Tree growth thus constituted a definite feature in the vegeta- 

 tive development of individual marsh bogs throughout north-western 

 Europe and minor climatic fluctuations could not have affected it on all 

 bogs at any one particular period. 



Stumps under mountain or soligenous peat suggest that the tree limit 

 previous to the peat formation above them was about a thousand feet above 

 that of to-day. This may have been due to an increase of 3° to 4° F. in 

 the summer temperatures, as above two thousand feet or so these tempera- 

 tures are now too low for the normal development of pine in most parts of 

 the British Isles. But a gradual deterioration in soil conditions due to 

 leaching must also be considered in this connection. Circumstantial 

 evidence would indicate that the present tendency is in the direction of 

 cooler summers, stronger and more prevalent westerly winds, and milder 

 winters. 



SECTION L.— EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE. 



Thursday, September 2. 



Presidential Address by Mr. H. G. Wells on The informative content of 

 education (lo.o). 



Discussion on Adult education (11. 10). 



Prof. R. Peers. — The place of adult education in the education of 

 democracy. 



1. The aims of adult education. 



2. A survey of the present position of adult education in England and 

 Wales. The machinery of administration. Numbers and types of 



