162 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



sanction, whereas we learn that the sentiments of the meeting 

 were decidedly in favour of Professor Owen's decision. 



We contend again in this instance, that if the Soclet}^ 

 proposes to encourage Geology, and discriminate upon sub- 

 jects brought under its notice, it should not virtually sanction 

 the publication of communications, to the merits of which 

 they do not give their entire assent, by presenting them to 

 the public without comment. This is not an error to which 

 Vv^e are alone opposed, but can say, at the same time, that 

 many of our friends, really first-rate geologists, will not enter 

 amongst the lists of that Society, upon the ground which we 

 have made public in our last and this present notice. 



The Geological Society was founded for the express pur- 

 pose of encouraging the science of geology ; not for the mere 

 purpose of meeting together to talk over matters without any 

 import ; not for founding a museum, which is not visited by 

 a dozen students in the twelvemonth ; not for forming a 

 library of books which are unthumbed by any but the ten or 

 dozen active members of the Society ; it was, we repeat, for 

 the purpose of advancing our knowledge of the science of 

 geology : and yet we see two or more communications, 

 opposed in their statements, published virtually under the 

 sanction of the same Society. 



Our friends, many very near to the council of that Society, 

 will not add their names to its list of members, although fre- 

 quently solicited, upon these very grounds, — and we there- 

 fore hope, by a timely notice, to direct the attention of the 

 executive to this erroneous proceeding. For the present, we 

 can state that toe had hoped better things than these. 



We have hinted, in the course of oar arguments, that there 

 is but little said at the meetings except by the members of 

 the council ; yet we could never discover whence this apathy 

 arose ; for lack of attendance certainly not, for although only 

 fifteen members on some occasions add their quota to the 



