99 
Address delivered at the Anniversary Meeting of the Geolo- 
gical Society of London on the 17th February 1854. By 
EDWARD ForBEs, Esq., President of the Society. 
[ We regret much we have not space for the whole of this very 
‘valuable report of Professor Edward Forbes, but the few highly 
important facts we have selected will be read, we are sure, 
with great interest, as their novelty and importance calls for. } 
That the greater part of my report will take cognizance 
of Geology under its paleontological aspects, is a circum- 
stance not dependent on my own predilections or peculiar 
line of study; it so happens that the majority of important 
papers published during the past year have been more or less 
of this character, and some of the most valuable of recent 
contributions to our science concern principally the natural 
history department of Geology. 
In the course of study of the many. lately-published 
‘memoirs from which the materials of my Address are derived, 
the question of the meaning of the difference and contrast 
that are evident when we compare the faunas and floras of 
.the more ancient or palzozoic with those of later epochs, has, 
-im consequence of fresh accumulation of relevant facts, forced 
itself vividly upon my attention. It is a subject that, in com- 
mon with mest geologists, I have often earnestly thought 
over, and more than once published opinions upon. It has 
been the originator of not a few theories and speculations, 
not one of which can be said to have borne the test of search- 
ing inquiry into facts. Yet I think I am not wrong in saying, 
that a belief is as strongly impressed as ever on the minds of 
‘geologists who take interest in the philosophy of their science, 
that some law lies at the foundation of this difference. If I 
venture to add one speculation more, although its predeces- 
‘sors have either subsided into azoic oblivion, or linger retain- 
ing but a weak hold upon our minds, I do so in the hope that 
there is a vitality in my offspring, which may enable it, when 
it becomes developed, though as yet only a suggestion, to 
endure ; and I ask your indulgence for introducing it on this 
occasion, on the plea that it- owes its birth to reflections 
arising out of this discourse. 
G2 
