.PROCEEDINGS OP THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [May I907, 



THE ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, 

 Sie Archibald Geikie, D.C.L., LL.D., Sc.D., Sec.R.S. 



Eor many years past it has been usual for the President, on this 

 -Anniversary occasion, to prepare an Address dealing with some 

 ■special subject in geology or with the work of the Society during 

 the past Session. We meet to-day under exceptional circum- 

 stances, which may perhaps warrant some departure from the 

 customary practice. The Society has now attained its hundredth 

 year, and our proceedings during the present Session will naturally 

 have reference to that interesting event in our history. When 

 last February you did me the great and exceptional honour of 

 electing me to fill this Chair for the second time, it was with 

 tacit reference to what should be done in the way of celebrating 

 our centenary. The knowledge that this was so greatly touched 

 me. To be chosen as the spokesman of the oldest geological 

 Society in the world on the occasion of its first great jubilee is 

 indeed a distinction of no common kind. 



It was with a deep sense of your kindness and my own respon- 

 sibility that I begau some time ago to consider what subject would 

 be specially appropriate, as the selected subject ought certainly to be, 

 to the circumstances in Avhich we this year hold our Anniversary 

 Meeting. I was eventually led to debate in my own mind whether 

 such an address would be more fittingly given now or be held over 

 until the formal celebration of our centenary some months later. 

 Further reflection convinced me that, as I could hardly see my 

 way to prepare, and to inflict on the Society, two addresses in the 

 same year, and as one would certainly be required, in some form, 

 at our coming festival, it would be best to reserve for that occasion 

 what, under ordinary circumstances, would have been spoken now. 



With regard to the arrangements for the celebration of our 

 centenary, I should like to take this opportunity of making a few 

 remarks to the Society. The Council has appointed a Committee 

 to frame and carry out these arrangements, and this Committee 

 has already begun its duties. Enquiry has shown that the last 

 week in the month of September appears to be, on the whole, the 

 time which will be most generally convenient to Fellows and 

 guests in this country and to visitors from abroad. It is therefore 

 intended that the celebration shall take place at that time. Every 



