ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. clxiii 



heated nucleus of the earth ! and yet, as I have before stated, our 

 able member and former President, Mr. Hopkins, has, from a com- 

 parison of the conductibility for heat of various mineral substances, 

 shown that the heat observed does not vary in proportion to these 

 conductibilities, and hence that we may perhaps have to abandon 

 this favourite theory, and seek for some other explanation of a positive 

 and well-known fact. 



Such advances in knowledge ought not, however, to distress us ; but 

 on the contrary we ought to feel that, however charming any cherished 

 fancy may be, the discovery of truth is to a rational being far more 

 so. A fairy tale may gratify and amuse the child ; but the man can 

 only find instruction and enjoyment in the pages of true history. 



Having now completed my allotted duties as your President, I 

 relinquish your chair with a full confidence that you have elected as 

 my successor the very best person who could have been found in any 

 country for filling such an offi.ee. I have indeed pointed out how wide 

 the range of geological science has now become ; and I know that 

 in Professor Phillips you have obtained a President fully able to 

 master the subject, however extensive and however difficult. I 

 undertook the task myself with doubt and hesitation ; but such has 

 been the kindness and support I have experienced from all the 

 members, and from none more than our most able Assistant-Secretary, 

 Mr. Jones, that the office I undertook almost with alarm has been to 

 me a source of unalloyed pleasure, and will be ever remembered with 

 gratification and with pride. 



