SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



[Sept. 21, i? 



synchronism, rests as much upon stratigraphy as upon 

 palaeontology. In order to determine their relations, the 

 identities as well as the difference of the fossil species 

 must be noted, and it must be ascertained whether the 

 sequence in distant countries follows the synchronic or 

 merely the homotaxic arrangement. In one case it can 

 scarcely be hoped that the same species will be found ; 

 in the other the identity of the species may be taken as a 

 contrary proof, provided one does not agree with Edward 

 Forbes that the species have had more than one centre of 

 origin. To resolve these questions we must trace the 

 dawn of life, the appearance, the duration, and the dis- 

 appearance of the species, and of the source from which 

 they came. Must we believe in the evolution of the 

 species, or must we regard them as buds of short dura- 

 tion and the genera or families as the branches or 

 permanent shoots. If I have permitted myself to discuss 

 these problems of fact and of theory, it is not to venture 

 on an opinion but only to indicate the vastness of the 

 field, and how much collaboration and time will be 

 occupied in making all the necessary studies. It must 

 not be thought that the work of the Congress is com- 

 pleted when the fundamental questions have been dis- 

 cussed ; unanimity established on the international 

 facts will but clear the way, and the cosmopolitan 

 theories already discussed, together with those which 

 may arise, will provide ample materials for the future 

 labours of the International Congress. 



Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, of Montreal, then proposed a vote 

 of thanks to the President for his address, Dr. von Zittel, 

 of Munich, seconding the motion. The formal passing 

 of the vote of thanks brought to a close the proceedings, 



At 9 o'clock Professor and Mrs. Prestwich held a lecep- 

 tion in the Library, in which has been arranged a large 

 and valuable exhibition of objects of geological interest, 

 mainly illustrative of the questions to t e discussed before 

 the congress. Contributions to the exhibition in the form 

 of maps, rocks, fossils, &c, have been received from 

 geologists all over Europe, as well as from many well- 

 known Eng ish scientists. Dr. Geikie sent a number of 

 maps illustrative of the peculiar geological structure of 

 the North-west Highlands, together with a collection of 

 rock specimens from the same district. Professor Heim, 

 of Zuiich, exhibited a very interesting collection of rocks 

 and fossils from Switzerland, showing the contortions of 

 the strata effected by pressure ■ and Dr. H. J. Johnston- 

 La vis, of Naples, sent some equally interesting speci- 

 mens of more or less stratified limestones (in different 



stages of metamorphism) ejected frcm Monte Somma. 

 A large series of Precambrian rocks from North Wales 

 were contributed by Dr. Hicks; and a series of Monian 

 rocks and slides, illustrating the various methods of meta- 

 morphism and their results, with regard to Anglesey rocks, 

 by Professor Blake. Professor Prestwich, the president, 

 sends a collection of plants and marine fossils from the 

 coal measures of Coalbrook Dale, together wilh some 

 peculiar types of flint implements from the Quaternary 

 river drifts of France and England. From the office 

 of the Geological Survey of Italy a large number of 

 maps and rock specimens were sent ; and Professor Judd 

 showed a very interesting collection of samples from 

 the borings in the Nile Valley conducted by the 

 Royal Society. Dr. G. J. Hinde exhibited a number 

 of specimens of siliceous rocks from the carboniferous 

 strata of Yorkshire. Ireland, Wales, and Spitzbergen, 

 showing their derivation from the remains of siliceous 

 sponges. A very large and remarkable series of 

 palaeolithic implements from various localities, British 

 and foreign, were contributed by Dr. John Evans ; and an 

 unusual collection of objects illustrating the stone-age 

 deposits of Crayford were sent by Mr. Spurrell. Mr. Mark 

 Stirrup brought together a series of boulders found 

 in the coal measures of Lancashire, and there was also 

 exhibited a large collection of wonderfully preserved 

 fossil plants from the Eocene formation of the Isle of 

 Mull. Some interesting specimens of spheroidal con- 

 cretions occurring in granite, and others of Itacolumite, 

 or flexible sandstone, were sent by Dr. Hatch and Mr. 

 R. D. Oldham respectively. The exhibition was too large 

 to be described at all exhaustively, but the foregoing re- 

 marks will supply an indication of its scope and 

 interest. 



The entire arrangement and organisation of the ex- 

 hibition were in the hands of Dr. Hinde and Mr. J. Teall, 

 together with several voluntary assistants. 



NOTICES. 



The Title Page and Index to Vol. I., now ready, price 3d. 



Binding Cases for Vol. 1., price 2s. each. 



Cases and Binding, Vol. I., including Title Page and Index, 

 price 3s. 



Vol. I., bound in cloth, with Title Page and Index, 9s. 6d. 

 — by post ros. 



The Back Numbers of Scientific News can be obtained 

 from all Booksellers and Newsagents, or direct from the 

 Publisher, 138, Fleet-street, London, E.C. Price 3d. each, or 

 by post 3^d. 



METEOROLOGICAL RETURNS 



for the ten weeks ending on Monday, Sept. 10th, 1888. Specially prepared for Scientific News from official reports. 





Mean Temperature. 



Rainfall. 



Duration of Sunshine. 



Scotland, East 



53-5 degs. 



being 3 "4 degs. below average. 



6' 5 ins. 



, being o - 5 ins. below 



iverage. 



277 hrs., being S7 hrs. 



below 



average 



England, N.E. 



55-0 „ 



n 3*3 is 11 11 



86 „ 



.. 



24 „ above 



»» 



238 „ » 103 „ 



»» 



ii 



England, East 



57*3 .. 



11 3" n 11 11 



8-1 „ 



.. 



2'5 .. ji 



n 



284 „ „ 118 ,, 



i» 



ii 



Midlands 



56 - 3 •> 



11 3'9 11 11 11 



7 5.. 



.. 



12,, ,, 



11 



285 „ „ 85 „ 



j» 



ii 



England, South 



58-0 „ 



11 3'° 11 11 11 



7L. 



.. 



18 „ „ 



»» 



304 „ „ no „ 



■>■> 



11 



Scotland, West 



547 » 



11 2'0 ,, ,, ,, 



91 .. 



.. 



0'5 „ below 



»» 



285 „ „ 75 >» 



>» 



i» 



England, N.W. 



55-8 „ 



u 3*o 11 11 11 



9-2 „ 



.» 



17 „ above 



»» 



279 »i >■ 73 » 



>» 



i> 



England, S.W. 



5°7 „ 



11 3 3 11 ii ii 



9-5.. 



.» 



I'2 ,, ,, 



,, 



360 „ „ 82 „ 



t> 



i» 



Ireland, North 



55 9 » 





87., 





II » „ 





257 I* >i 32 „ 



,, 



»» 



Ireland, South 



56-6 „ 



11 2 '4 11 11 11 



77.. 



,. 



0'2 „ „ 



i» 



345 »» 11 1 •»> 



above 



11 



The Kingdom... 



56 x> „ 



11 3' 1 11 11 11 



82 „ 



.. 



II » II 



»» 



291 » » 76 „ 



below 



11 



