Reports and Proceedings — Mineralogical Society. 377 



subject " Charles Darwin as Geologist".^ In the course of his lecture 

 he remarked that " Darwin began his active scientific career as a 

 geologist, that it was mainly to geological problems that the earlier 

 years of his life were devoted". While he gained some acquaintance 

 with geology at Edinburgh from Jameson, his interest was not aroused 

 until he proceeded to Cambridge. There he was introduced by 

 Henslow to Sedgwick, with whom he made a geological excursion 

 into North Wales. It was, however, to Lyell's Principles of Geology, 

 the first volume of which he took with him on the voyage of the 

 " Beagle ", that his enthusiasm in the pursuit of that science was chiefly 

 due. The second and third volumes were afterwards sent out to him. 



By his geological observations made during that voyage, in South 

 America and other lands, especiallj' his investigations on volcanic 

 islands, on volcanic phenomena, and continental elevations, and on the 

 structure and distribution of coral-reefs, science was remarkably 

 enriched. 



Although some of Darwin's conclusions have not withstood the 

 test of later researches, notably in regard to explanations of particular 

 glacial phenomena, and of certain of the atolls among coral islands, 

 yet his contributions to their science have been so great that, as 

 Sir A. Geikie remarks, " Geologists are proud to claim him as one 

 of themselves and as one of the great masters by whom their 

 favourite science has been advanced." By his extended observations 

 on vegetable mould he illustrated some of the changes which the 

 earth's surface is undergoing ; finally, by his Origiyi of Species he 

 illumined the whole aspect of the science, and especially the palseo- 

 zoological and palseo-botanical branches. 



On this subject " the far-reaching influence of Darwin's work on 

 the progress of knowledge, and the present attitude of original 

 investigators and thinkers towards the views contained in Darwin's 

 works ", are embodied in a series of essays combined in a memorial 

 volume, entitled Barwin and Modern Science, edited by Professor 

 A. C. Seward. The essay on "Darwin and Geology" is written by 

 Professor Judd. Another notable volume, entitled The Foundations 

 of the Origin of Species, edited by Francis Darwin (1909), contains 

 a sketch of the Origin of Species, written by Darwin in 1842, and 

 of great historic interest. 



I. — MiNEKALOGICAL SoCIETT. 



June 15.— Principal H. A. Miers, F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



Carnotite and an associated mineral-complex from South Australia ; 

 by Messrs. T. Crook & G. S. Blake. The carnotite of Radium Hill, 

 near Olary, South Australia, occurs in a definitely crystalline condition. 

 The crystals are tabular and orthorhombic in symmetry. The carnotite 



' Printed as a separate volume at the University Press, Cambridge, pp. 91, 

 price 'Is. net. 



