Presideint's Address. 
61 
with the medical profession, give, as well as we, to Irish men of science 
a ready method by which they may make their thoughts and discove- 
ries public. Yet, notwithstanding all that has been, in other ways, 
given to the public, the number of communications actually made to 
the Academy, on these subjects, cannot be considered unsatisfactory, as 
compared with that number during former like periods. Microscopical 
science has found its way amongst us. Zoology, Botany, and Physio- 
logy show increased activity, and the researches of Professor Haughton 
in Animal Mechanics exemplify a principle to which I have before re- 
ferred, namely, the importance of the results which may be expected 
from a combination of two sciences. 
The same principle, which may indeed be called the life-blood of our 
system, is exemplified even more strongly by Geology ; and we may say, 
I think, with good reason, that at least some classes of geological ques- 
tions may be discussed more appropriately in this Academy than in any 
other society. For Geology is truly the connecting link between the 
two great divisions under which our studies here may be arranged — 
Science and Archseology. In all its parts it may be called the Archseo- 
logy of JN'ature ; in some it becomes truly the Archaeology of Man. "When 
Geology derives arguments, not merely from the physical formation of 
the strata, or the animal or vegetable remains which are buried there, 
but from the existence of implements, having apparently a human origin 
— when it becomes to her a matter of importance to decide whether a 
given flint chip owed its form to an accident, or was fashioned by the 
hand of man, she then enters upon a field which is common to her with 
the archseologist — upon questions which are most fitly discussed, neither 
in a purely geological society, nor in a purely archaeological society, 
but in one where both these sciences are represented. And we, gentle- 
men, are such a society. 
I^OT is the instance which I have adduced a solitary one. The inte- 
resting and important question of crannoges, a question usually and 
rightly classed under Archaeology, could not be discussed without the 
aid of considerations which are properly geological. Here again a 
mixed society like ours has an advantage over one which is purely 
archaeological. 
The employment of optical science as a handmaid to Physiology is 
still in its infancy, and it would be difficult indeed, now, to predict its 
future. Yet even the researches which have been already made — the 
use of the spectroscope — the use of the phenomena of polarization, in 
questions of Physiology and Pathology — indicate something of the vast- 
ness of the field upon which we are entering. It is still indeed dim. 
We are looking upon it by twilight, but everything indicates that it is 
the twilight of the morning. 
The words Polite Literature, as applied to a division of our studies 
here, are somewhat deceptive. They indicate (if taken in their ordi- 
nary sense) a field of labour very much wider than is consistent with 
the interpretation which we practically give them. Much that is 
usually included under those words — fiction, poetry, even criticism — 
