ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. XCllI 



depend with safety on petrographical characters alone. Identity of 

 structure does not prove identity of age. I do not mean to say that 

 such palaeontological or petrogra[)hical evidences are not available to 

 the geologist. They are often all that he can find, and it is impos- 

 sible to rate too highly the assistance which palaeontology has ren- 

 dered to geology. But what I would venture to observe is, that 

 without the aid of stratigraphical evidence they cannot be implicitly 

 relied on. This, after all, will be found to be the master-key to 

 enable us to unlock the mysteries of ages, and to explore the secret 

 and long-hidden paths of geological progression. 



Gentlemen, my task is finished. I have only to entreat your in- 

 dulgence for the many imperfections contained in this Address. 

 I am aware that much has been omitted which might fairly have 

 been expected in it, and probably much has been inserted which a 

 more experienced geologist than myself would have deemed super- 

 fluous. I trust you will receive it as an earnest of my best wishes 

 for the prosperity of our Society, and of my interest in that science 

 which in common with yourselves I have cultivated for so many 

 years. If I have been in any way successful in meeting with your 

 approbation of what I have done, and of the manner in which I 

 have endeavoured to discharge my duties as your President, I am 

 bound to say that that success is mainly owing to the able assistance 

 I have received from every Member of the Council, and from your 

 partiality in overlooking many deficiencies. 



VOL XI. g 



