96 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



buried in the note-book. And, further, that by giving right directions to those 

 engaged in pubhc and other extensive worlds, there would be good ground to hope 

 that many facts tending to the verification of conclusions already drawn, and the 

 settling of problems acknowledged to stand open, might be obtained ; and, perhaps, 

 even the opening-up of fields which as yet have been but little, if at all, worked. 



Referring to some observations made by Mr. Salter, in a letter to the Editor of 

 the Geologist, Mr. T, Smith said :— As to the collection of '■'■good facts,^^ we hope 

 that at every meeting of the Association communications of observed facts will be 

 made by members. The statement of these will ai)pear in the printed minutes of 

 our proceedings ; and these, being circulated among all our members, will convey 

 to every quarter some of those means of comparison and suggestions for research 

 which are what j;he local Geologist most needs, both to encourage and to enlighten 

 him. 



Alluding to the success of the undertaking, it was stated that, within six weeks 

 after the first conference on the subject, not less than 150 gentlemen, many of 

 them well known in connexion with Geological Science, applied for memf)ership. 



And, with a view to the perfect understanding of various objects which the 

 Association proposed to follow, and the advantages it held out to its members, the 

 President entered at some considerable length into the plans which had been laid 

 down for promoting and facilitating the collection and exchange of fossils ; the 

 formation of a collection of type- specimens which should serve, amongst other pur- 

 poses, as a key to the larger national collections in this country, which from their 

 extent and richness prove often a source of perplexity rather than of instruction 

 to the humble student. 



The formation of a collection of the character proposed is confessedly a matter 

 of difficulty ; it is far easier to accumulate specimens in large numbers, than to 

 bring together only such as shall be really useful ; but, observed ]Mr. Smith, be 

 the difiicidties to be encountered what they may, our hope is that we may be able 

 by degrees to form a cabinet which shall be tmly typical and always instnictive. 

 Whilst dwelling on this part of the subject, opportunity was taken to acknow- 

 ledge the receipt of several promises of fossils illustrative of the principal 

 formations. 



A vigorous protest was entered against the undue use of hard words in scientific 

 language, on the ground that we, as Englishmen, possess a language more copious 

 than the Greek or Latin, and one which is peculiarly adaptable for the compound- 

 ing of words, and which, therefore, may be most readily moulded to the expression 

 of new forms of fact and thought. 



This part of the address was followed by some very useful hints to collectors, 

 and some interesting illustrations, to show the necessity of proceeding on sound 

 principles and inductions before concluding upon mere appearances. Tbe President 

 urged the importance of always recognising the fundamental Law of Unity which 

 underlies all the phenomena of nature, as being absolutely necessary to right 

 conclusions, both as to single facts and broad generahzation on collections 

 of facts. 



Mr. Smith concluded by urging the members to use their united eft'orts for the 

 promotion of the common objects of the Association, being convinced that if the 

 mutual principle on which it Avas based was fully acted upon, its value would 

 soon be felt, and all would be satisfied that the xVssociation had not been formed 

 in vain. 



After the Address Avas given, several fresh applications for membership Avere 

 received. 



The next Meeting Avill be held in the Library of St. IMartin's Hall, on Tuesday 

 evening, the 8th February, at 7 o'clock, Avhen Dr. Hyde Clarke, and Mr. Rees, of 

 Lucknow, have promised to read papers of great interest. 



