part 1] ANNIYERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. Ixxili 



it is possible for them to educate tliemselves so as to become 

 fit for higher work and responsibilities. He began life as a 

 bricklayer's labourer, unable to read or Avrite. He taught himself 

 both reading and wiiting, then he became a ganger in the con- 

 struction of water\V(n'ks, and, as this occupation did not allow of 

 suflicient time for further education, joined the police force. Here 

 he found time to learn the rudiments of science in various 

 Mechanical Institutes, to master mechanical drawing and the 

 principles of Civil Engineering. Keturning to the Avaterworks, he 

 made hhnself so useful that he became the Kesident Engineer at 

 one of the reservoirs. Then he attended the evening lectures 

 in engineering and geology at OweiTs College (now the University 

 of Manchester) under Pi-of. (now Sir William) Boyd Dawkins. 

 He was a student for some years, and distinguished himself by 

 his ability and perseverance. He also studied other subjects — in- 

 cluding Natural History — and carried on independent microscopical 

 researches for his own pleasure. After this he joined the Man- 

 chester Geological Si Mining Society, and contributed many 

 23apers, chiefly relating to geology and the construction of reservoirs. 

 Next he was appointed W^aterworks Engineer to the Corporation 

 of Oldham, and constructed three new and successful reservoirs ; 

 lastly, he became Waterworks Engineer at Sheffield, a position 

 which lie held until his I'esignation on account of advancing years. 

 He w^as elected a Eellow of this Society in 1<S74, and died on 

 June 20tli, 1920, highly honoured by all who knew him, and 

 deeply regretted b}^ the engineers and geologists of Manchester 

 and the surrounding districts. [W. B. D.] 



William Augustus EdmOj^d Ussher was born on July 8th, 

 1849, joined the Geological Survey of England in April 1868, 

 at the age of 19, and for over forty years was an active member 

 of it. At one time or another engaged in various parts of 

 England, his principal service to Geology was rendered in. and his 

 name is more especially linked with, the South-Western counties. 

 Here, in a country of extreme structural complexit}'-, he did iiiucli 

 to unravel the correlations of the Trias and Carboniferous rocks 

 of Devon with those of other parts of England, and, in conjunction 

 with Champernowne, worked out the succession and subdivision 

 of the Devonian rocks. The results of his work are recorded in 

 numerous papers, published for the most part in our Quarterly 

 Journal, in the Memoirs of the Geological Survey, and in the 



