330 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
nature of that institution, and the antique system upon which its 
laws and regulations are founded, seem to prohibit, at least, for the 
present, any hope of its giving that invaluable help which it has all 
tha materials in its hands for doing. Those means are confined as 
unused jewels within a strong casket by the obstructive bonds of char- 
tered regulations. The intentional purpose of the Geologists' Asso- 
ciation is, however, more in accordance with the wants and wishes 
of the Provincial Societies and Field Clubs, and it is more than pro- 
bable, that had the London Association shown itself more energetic 
and worthy of leadership, some proposition for union and combina- 
tion might have emanated from geologists in the provinces ; but a 
comparison of the labours accomplished by the Glasgow, the Dublin, 
the Liverpool, Manchester, Cornwall, and Malvern Clubs would dis- 
play such superior energy and talent on their parts as would rather 
entitle any one of them to such pre-eminence. They have done 
much good work. What has the London Geologists' Association to 
show ? Surely it would not be too much at this season to expect 
iveekly working excursions by the London Society ? Cheap trains leave 
town on Saturdays in numerous directions ; and even if excursion 
trains were wanting, ordinary fares to most of the interesting points 
which would be selected for a single day's work would be within the 
compass of the poorest of the present members, or any that are likely 
to join. They are such as any working man could afford. There 
are Grays and Ilford, New Cross and Croydon, to work at for mam- 
maha and flint implements ; Woolwich and Erith, Dulwich and Read- 
ing, for tertiary beds ; Reigate and E/cdhill for Lower Greensand ; 
Charlton and Gravesend for Chalk. At further ranges there are Far- 
ringdon, Hastings, Bedford, ^Northampton, Harwich, Dover, Herne 
Bay, cum multis aliis. But such labours must be continuous and pur- 
poseful, not desultory. Setting aside propositions for excursions such 
as these, would there not be a great advantage in establishing annual 
meetings of all the provincial clubs under the direction of the London 
Association, such as the British Archaeologists have instituted for the 
votaries of their science. The place of meeting might be selected 
amongst the localities of the Field Clubs themselves, say Malvern, 
or Glasgow, or Manchester, or Chester, or Canterbury, or the 
Isle of Wight — anywhere where there was a provincial society 
