XCV1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [April 1914. 



is imperfectly known and sparsely inhabited ; the water-resources, 

 using the expression in its widest sense, are as fit a subject for 

 exploration as are the geography and geology. In our own country 

 the rivers have been under observation for centuries, and some sort 

 of understanding was long ago reached between the mill-owners 

 and the navigation companies on the one part, and the Spirit of the 

 Flood on the other part. For this reason I am not prepared to 

 argue that investigations such as ours must be continued on the 

 ground of utility, so far as regards all five heads of the enquiry. 

 In fact, I believe that the determination of the discharge of some 

 of our rivers is practically impossible. But if any of the sugges- 

 tions that I have put forward lead to more systematic and precise 

 observations on the work of denudation, as now proceeding before 

 our eyes, I shall have attained my purpose. 



This afternoon I occupy this chair as your President for the last 

 time. During my two years of office I have had opportunities of 

 realizing, both at home and abroad, how great and how world-wide 

 is the reputation of this Society. In leaving office I express the 

 hope that that reputation is at as high a level as I found it, and in 

 handing over the duties and responsibilities of the post to Dr. Smith 

 Woodward, I have full confidence that it will be safe in his keeping. 

 It is time that the two years have given me additional work, but 

 thanks to the courtesy and assistance which I have received from 

 the Officers and Council, and to the consideration with which I 

 have met at your hands, they have brought me much additional 

 pleasure. 



