PROCEEDINGS OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 
195 
acting in these countries, that it is impossible to apply the same rules to 
the two periods. The changes described must have progressed with a ra- 
pidity of which we, at the present day, can in these latitudes hardly form 
an adequate conception. 
" But, although I would shorten the Quaternary period by the extent of 
the differences here alluded to, it still remains of great length and import- 
ance, stretching back into a far remote antiquity, and it is far into this 
period that we hare traced these works of man. Although at present we 
are without a scale or measure to determine that antiquity, we need not 
abandon the hope that, by continued and careful observation, we may 
eventually succeed in forming some comparative estimate of it. The first 
men who, after traversing the plains of Lombardy, approached the Alps, 
could scarcely have failed to realize their vast dimensions, although with- 
out the means to determine tlieir exact height ; so we, from the relative 
magnitude of the phenomena and the variation of life, can sufficiently well 
realize the remoteness of the time in question, although we do not possess 
the data whereby to measure its duration, and determine its exact dis- 
tance from our own time." 
Royal Geological Society of Ireland. — April 13. — The Ecv. 
the A^ice-Provost of Trinity College, President. 
The President announced that as the change in the constitution of the 
society, which was announced on the notice- paper for the evening, might 
necessitate some slight change in the bye-laws, he would request that any 
gentleman who had candidates to propose for the honour of Fellowship of 
the society would mention their names, so tliat they might be balloted for 
at the next meeting. 
The following names were then proposed : — A. Gahan, Esq., C.E. ; H. 
Russell, Esq. ; E. T. Brabazon, Esq. ; E. Glascott Symes, Esq. ; and 
Sandford Palmer, Esq. E. H. Ellis, Esq. was proposed as an Associate. 
Mr. Scott read the following report from Council: — The idea lias been 
frequently mooted within the last few years, that it would be advisable to 
have the name of the society altered, so as to make it the Geological 
Society of Ireland, as the title Geological Society of Dublin appears to 
confine its labours to the immediate vicinit}^ of this city; whereas by the 
original resolution, passed in 1832, its objects were so defined as to em- 
brace the whole of Ireland. In addition to this change, several influential 
members were of opinion that the addition of the word " Eoyal " to its 
title would be of great importance, as indicating that her Majesty was 
disposed to recognize its labours. The council accordingly, at their meet- 
ing on the ]7th of February, appointed a sub-committee, consisting of the 
Eev. Professor Haughton, with the treasurers and secretaries, with full 
powers to act as they thought best. The sub-committee drew up a 
memorial, which was suitably engrossed, and they requested the following 
members to sign it: — The Earls of Enniskillen, Bandon, and Dunraven; 
Lords Talbot de Malahide and Dunally ; Sir E. Griffith, Bart., with the 
President. They further requested Lord Talbot de IMalahide, as a former 
President of the societ}^ to have the kindness to forward the memorial to 
the Home Office, and they enclosed with it a complete copy of the Journal 
of the society for her Majesty's acceptance. The council have the honour 
to submit the reply which her Majesty has been graciously pleased to 
return to their memorial ; and they cannot but, in the first instance, con- 
gratulate the society on this proof that their labours during the past year 
have been appreciated, as they would consider they deserve to be ; and 
