Rev. W. D. Conybeare on the Phenomena of Geology. 359 



fice, because their peculiar views are not immediately under- 

 stood and adopted. A gentleman of conciliatory manners, 

 with judgement, independent feelings, and energy, need not fear 

 the accomplishment, in time, of every worthy object which he 

 may have in view, relative to the concerns of any institution, with 

 which he may be connected. 



The paucity of high mathematical knowledge in this coun- 

 try is well known ; and none of the few gentlemen who possess 

 it, can well be spared from the Councils of the Royal Society. 

 Let us hope, therefore, that they will do what they can (and 

 they can do much), to encourage the taste for such pursuits, by 

 their personal exertions to increase the value of the Society's 

 Transactions. Let us flatter ourselves, that the philosopher 

 will condescend to be the man of the world in his associations 

 with others ; and that he will aim at effecting, gradually and 

 unobtrusively, solid and practicable improvements in the con- 

 cerns of the Royal Society, to which good sense, and regard to 

 the feelings, and even the prejudices of others, will enable him 

 very largely to contribute. This last, it will not be beneath 

 him to exercise ; and he can well afford to employ it. 

 I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, 

 Your obedient servant, 



Socius. 



LV. An Examination of those Phenomena of Geology, which 

 seem to bear most directly on theoretical Speculations. By 

 the Rev. W. D. Conybeare, M.A. F.R.S. F.G.S. $c. 



[In Continuation from p. 219.] 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Annals. 

 Gentlemen, 

 1 N pursuing the design, proposed in my last communication, 

 -*■ of endeavouring to class and arrange the geological phe- 

 nomena bearing more immediately on theoretical investiga- 

 tion, I am especially anxious that I should not be so far mis- 

 taken as to be supposed to write only, or chiefly, with contro- 

 versial views. It is true, indeed, that the late work of Mr. 

 Lyell has principally suggested to me these remarks, and 

 that I believe the conclusions which I shall elicit, will be, in 

 many respects, opposed to those which he has adopted : but 

 I trust that my sole desire is impartially to follow the argu- 

 ment whithersoever it may lead; and that I shall be much 

 better pleased when I shall be able to acquiesce, than when 

 I feel constrained to differ. 



•In the first place, a question of method presents itself; for we 

 may, First, commence with the effects actually resultingfrom the 



causes 



