184 
himself was in the chair ; and there I find that the first object 
is " the investigation of the Geology of the West- Riding, 
with the accuracy and minuteness necessary for the success- 
ful prosecution of Mining and Agriculture." Now when we 
consider how useful a thorough acquaintance with the 
structure of a district, the varying position of the under- 
strata, and the various qualities of the surface-soil, must be 
to all engaged in mining or agriculture, surely this object of 
our Society cannot fail in attracting all interested in or 
anxious to improve the prosperity of this extensive and po- 
pulous Riding. Science with us will become a means of 
improvement and of commercial wealth. Coals are equally the 
cause and the support of manufactures. Iron is equally 
necessary to enable us to bring those coals cheap to market ; 
while the improvement of that iron in its tenacity, elasticity, 
and durability, is essential to the efficiency of our mining 
and manufacturing operations. 
It is with much pleasure that I can announce as a subject 
for your attention this morning, an accurate account of some 
experiments on the relative strength of pig-iron, of various 
mixtures and from different works, by Mr. Charles Todd. 
By combining our geological pursuits with such judicious 
experiments, we shall best show the happy result of cor- 
recting the science of the geologist by the practical facts 
of the working iron master. 
Geology is now able to teach the landowner upon certain 
principles to decide where coal may probably be found, by 
pointing out, from experience, with what strata it is alone 
connected in this island. I recollect in my younger days, 
when this science was in its infancy, (at least in this country) 
that Mr. Northmore, in the immediate vicinity of Exeter, 
expended a large sum in sinking for coal ; his miners were 
from Cornwall, and accustomed only to search into the 
bowels of the earth for metallic ores; but they were deceived 
