XXXU PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



closely printed pages an amount of reading equal to two thirds of his 

 Journal. In his first work we had the outlines of these geological 

 observations, but in that recently published we have the outlines 

 filled up with most valuable details, together with many new facts, 

 general observations and deductions, which will be read with much 

 profit by every geologist. In the sequel of this Address, I shall 

 allude more particularly to some of the more striking features of this 

 work. 



We received last spring a valuable work from our distinguished 

 Foreign Member, M. Elie de Beaumont — his 'Lemons de G^ologie 

 Pratique.' It is an important publication, as giving us the views 

 and opinions of one of the most eminent geologists of France up to 

 a late period, for these Lectures were delivered only three years ago. 

 He informs us that they were given orally, but taken down in short- 

 hand, and revised by himself for publication. Such of you as are 

 not already acquainted with the work will readily believe that a 

 Course of Lectures by so able, so accomplished, and so experienced 

 a geologist, must contain much that is interesting and valuable; and 

 those who seek for minuteness of detail and amplitude of illustra- 

 tion will not be disappointed. 



He tells Lis that he took the Agenda of Saussure, published half 

 a century ago at the end of the fourth volume of the 'Voyages dans 

 les Alpes,' as the basis of his plan, but that the present more advanced 

 state of the science had made it necessary for him frequently to leave 

 his guide. Nevertheless, he says, — and it is a proud homage to the 

 genius and sagacity of the great Swiss geologist, — the facts since 

 collected have scarcely ever led him to controvert Saussure, for that 

 philosopher " possessed in an eminent degree the instinct and the 

 presentiment of truth." At the conclusion of his first Lecture he 

 pays another tribute to the great master whom he justly holds up 

 as an example to the pupils he is instructing, in the following terms : 

 " When we read the 'Agenda' with attention, we are surprised how 

 appropriate the greater number of the questions are to the present 

 time. The 'Agenda' are at once the most judicious and the most 

 stimidating guide to observation which the geologist can follow. 

 All that is wanting is to complete them, to extend them, to modify 

 them in some particulars ; to establish certain relations between facts 

 less insulated now than they were in his time; and there is perhaps 

 no way in which Geology can be presented to us in a manner more 

 interesting and more instructive. It is that which I shall endeavour 

 to follow in this Course, in which it will be my aim to present known 

 facts in such a way as is most proper for conducting to facts yet to 

 be discovered*." 



This last year has also supplied us with a work long v/anted, a 

 * Manual of Chemical and Physical Geology,' by Dr. Gustav Bischof, 

 Professor of Chemistry in the University of Bonn, already well known 

 to US by several interesting chemico-geological researches in the 

 neighbouring volcanic region of the Eife! ; and particularly by his 

 work entitled 'Physical, Chemical, and Geological Researches on the 



* Page 44. 



