from the Coal Measures of Torbane-kill. 
65 
the present occasion, the part of the address which 1 have just 
read to you will show. I think it will eventually turn out that 
the two members of the Microscopical Society of London, 
" that learned body who make it their object to pry into all 
things," are accustomed to look for plants, and can under- 
stand them when they see them ; nay, I will assert that they 
can do more, for tJiey can tell when a particular structure is 
not a plant. Had his Lordship been silent on the point, he 
would not have laid himself open to these truly justifiable 
remarks. 
I would now, gentlemen, in conclusion, leave the matter in 
your hands. I think that the subject in question is one of 
the most important ever brought before the notice of this 
Society, and one which no set of men in this or any other 
country are so competent to investigate. Most of the members 
of this society are, as stated in the certificate for suspension, 
" attached to scientific pursuits," and most of them are in 
possession of the best instruments, and are accustomed to use 
them ; let them, therefore, study the subject for themselves, 
and give independent testimony. Where, I might ask, can 
be found a correct definition of coal ? I believe, at present, 
no such definition is extant, and it is on this account that I 
look upon the trial of Gillespie versus Russel, as one of the 
greatest importance to the geologist, the chemist, the mineralo- 
gist, and the microscopist ; and I am of opinion that from it 
will spring, not only a perfect definition of coal, but of other 
combustible substances found in connexion with it, and, 
therefore, it is to be hoped that such contradictory statements 
as were made by the different scientific witnesses on the trial 
in question may in future be avoided. It remains, then, for 
the microscope, " that most valuable of all scientific instru- 
ments (to quote the words of Mr. Ross) ever yet bestowed by 
art upon the investigator of nature," to assist in deciding the 
true structure of coal, as it has already done that of many 
other organic substances of a previously-doubtful nature. 
9 
