Ixii 



Meetings of the British Association at Newcastle in 1838 and 1863. In 

 these papers the limits of the several formations — the millstone grit, the 

 mountain limestone, and true coalfields — are defined, the courses of 



dykes " are laid down, their effect on the coal-measures is pointed out, 

 and in the numerous sections a clear view is given of the structure of the 

 country. In the paper on " The Wash," a remarkable denudation through 

 a portion of the coalfield of Durham, written jointly with Mr. Boyd (1863), 

 the effect of a great stream in remote epochs, in producing the present 

 geological configuration, is ably traced. 



The demands on Mr. Wood's time and practical skill multiplied with 

 the increasing demand for coal for lighting and manufacturing pur- 

 poses. In 1844 he proposed a registration of mining operations as im- 

 portant alike from the geological as from the commercial point of view. 

 He was a member of the local Committee afterwards formed to draw 

 up a report on the best method of preventing or diminishing accidents in 

 coal-mines, out of which resulted the Mines' Inspection Act of 1851. In 

 the following year, with a view to give effect to practical suggestions, a 

 scheme for a society was proposed which in August of that year took shape 

 as the North of England Institute of Mining Engineers, with Mr. Wood as 

 President. From that time to the end of his days he was annually elected 

 to the same honourable post, and discharged the duties thereof with ad- 

 vantage, during a period in which, besides his inaugural address, he con- 

 tributed fourteen papers on important professional subjects to the Society's 

 * Transactions.' In his address, as well as on other occasions, he reiterated 

 his appeal for the formation of a collection of plans and records as a means 

 of promoting mining and geological science. These papers, with one on 

 "Improvements in the Workingof Coal-Mines," communicated to the 

 Society of Mechanical Engineers, and published in their 'Proceedings,' 

 were the latest of his writings. 



In 1844 Mr. Wood removed from Killingworth to Hetton Hall, co. 

 Durham, where, while health permitted, he continued his active labours 

 particularly in the attempt to establish a school or College for the culti- 

 vation, improvement, and teaching of mining science, especially as applica- 

 ble to coal-mines." The attempt failed, but the discussion had a beneficial 

 effect in attracting public attention, and in impressing the Government 

 with its importance, 



Mr. Wood was a member of the local societies in his neighbourhood, of 

 the Geological Society, of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and in 1864 

 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, but did not live long to enjoy 

 the honour. He had been for some years a widower, when failing health 

 compelled him to give up the duties which he had so beneficially discharged, 

 and to resort for medical advice to London, where he died December 19, 

 1865, leaving four sons and two daughters. He was characterized through- 

 out life by a calmness of temper which nothing disturbed ; and one who 

 knew him well has recorded concerning him, that, " whether he be viewed 



