180 Phillips — Geological Address. 
tains of the north. Astronomical vicissitudes returning in cycles of 
long duration, changes of level of the land, expansions and contrac- 
tions of the sea, deviations of the currents of the ocean, alterations 
in the prevalent direction and quality of the winds—whichever of 
these causes we assume, and however we combine them, it is evident 
that we are appealing from the existing order of nature and the 
present measures of effect in time, to some other combination of 
natural agencies, some other standard of physical energy. The con- 
clusion is obvious. Inductive geology refuses to accept definite 
periods for phenomena produced under conditions not yet really 
determined. 
I will not, by any further observations, discourage you from ex- 
ploring this attractive field of research, or restrain the freedom with 
which you will desire to discuss it. Only let me add, that to one 
fresh from the Alps,—from the old Pfahlbauten of the lakes, and 
much older monuments of overspreading snow and gliding ice, the 
later ages of geology and the earlier ages of mankind seem to be 
fairly united in one large field of inquiry. That it must be trodden 
with heedful steps, and demands all possible care in the scrutiny of 
facts, in the estimation of natural agencies, and in the choice of right 
measures of time, before the Pleistocene, Quaternary, or Human 
period can be said to be accurately known by natural phenomena, 
even in this the best-examined part of the world, is obvious. 
But the same remark applies to every one of the many perplexing 
questions which have been considered by geologists. By following 
the same good processes of strict inquiry and cautious interpretation 
which have settled those difficulties, we may hope to settle this. 
Let every one join in the effort, and bring selected materials to the 
crowing fabric; so that we may not erect a rude and barbarous 
cairn, the memorial of dead opinions, but construct a temple of 
well fitted stones, in which we may worship with delight the God 
of Truth, and be followed in the same pleasing duty by many 
SUCCESSOFS. 
The following Papers were read before the GroLogicaL SECTION 
of the British AssocIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE, 
at Bath, Sept. 15—21, 1864 :— 
The President’s (Prof. Phillips) Opening Address. See above, 
p. 175, &e. 
W. Sanders.—A brief Explanation of a Geological Map of the 
neighbourhood of Bristol and Bath. 
Professor Phillips. —Measures of Geological Time by Natural Chro- 
nometers, with a communication from M. Morlot. 
Hf, C. Sorby.—On the conclusion to be deduced from the Physical 
Structure of some Meteorites. 
HI. Woodward.—On the family Eurypteride, with descriptions of 
some new genera and species. 
HI, C. Salmon.—On the Geognostic relations of the auriferous quartz 
of Nova Scotia. 
