26 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION, 
IN DEFENCE OF LATE ASSERTIONS—COoNCLUDED. 
Read before the Geological Section of the Hamilton Sctentific 
Association, April 22nd, 1904. 
BY COL. CG. C. GRANT. 
The writer was not greatly surprised to learn recently that some 
of the members of the Association thought such things as the 
creation, the deluge, etc., were matters outside geological investiga- 
tion. To men of inherited religious prejudice it may appear so, 
but few geologists will be found to agree with them. The beginning 
of life upon the earth is an important point for their consideration. 
To submit, as was suggested, scientific matters to the public for 
decision, would not be entertained for an instant. The Hamilton 
Association has a Journal with a wide circulation among scientific 
societies in all civilized countries, and that publication is the proper 
place for scientific papers. In Ontario one seldom meets a person 
possessing even a faint acquaintance with geological matters 
(Scotchmen excepted). As a general rule you will find them intelli- 
gent and well acquainted with Hugh Millar’s works ; they are justly 
proud of their famous countryman. 
The writer remarks that even astronomers cannot always escape 
the censure of piously-inclined individuals. 
In a lecture delivered in New York on the 3rd April, 1875, by 
R. A. Proctor, on “ The Past and Future of our Earth,” which you 
will find in selections of Zhe Canadian Monthly of January, 1875, 
or Zhe Contemporary Review, 1 may be permitted to extract a few 
passages : 
“It has been in vain thus far that men have attempted to lift 
the veil which conceals the beginning of life upon the earth. In 
any case, we need not feel hampered by religious scruples in consid- 
ering the possibility of ‘spontaneous generation.’ It would be 
straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel if we found a difficulty 
of that sort here after admitting, as we are compelled by clearest 
