C PROCEEDINGS OE THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [JunO I912, 



estimate of the Commissioners, aud it is pointed out that in Eastern 

 and Southern England there exists an area of Palseozoic rocks 

 unconformably covered by Xeozoic rocks larger in extent than the 

 uncovered Palaeozoic outcrop of England and Wales. 



This area has only been explored in regions which are in direct 

 prolongation of the exposed coalfields, and by a very small number 

 of borings put down elsewhere. Some of these have demonstrated 

 the existence of Coal-measures or other Carboniferous rocks, and 

 none have yet proved a Neozoic cover so thick as to preclude the 

 possibility of successfully working any coal which may be found 

 beneath it. 



It is argued that the time has now come for the organization of 

 a systematic survey of this area by means of a con- 

 sidered series of borings, so planned as to investigate the 

 structure of the concealed Palaeozoic floor, to ascertain the thickness 

 of cover, to locate any coal basins which may form part of the 

 floor, and to elucidate their exact tectonic conditions in order to 

 determine their suitability for profitable working. 



It is admitted that such an exploration would involve many 

 practical dif&culties, and would introduce a new practice into 

 British Institutions, but it is pointed out that similar methods have 

 been employed in Eoreign Countries and even in British Colonies. 



It is urged that the close dependence of the future of the Nation 

 on its coal supplies justifies a new departure, and that it would be 

 a wise act of statecraft to take deliberate measures to devise a 

 comprehensive aud well-considered scheme of exploration, the 

 results of which might be at hand for application before the 

 growing scarcity of coal shall have begun to produce its inevitable 

 economic consequences upon the manufactures and upon the very 

 conditions of existence in this country. 



(5) Conclusion. 



In concluding this address I desire to express my very sincere 

 thanks to my friends Prof. Charles Lapworth and Mr. W. G. 

 Eearnsides, both of whom have patiently and most good-naturedly 

 worked through the manuscript of this as well as of my former 

 address to the Society, and have made a number of corrections, 

 suggestions, and additions to them. Eor any views expressed, I, 

 of course, take sole responsibility. 



