New Series.] [Part IY. 
PAPEES 
BEAD BEFORE THE 
GEOLOGICAL AND POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY 
Edited by JAMES W. DAVIS, F.L.S., F.G.S. 
1877. 
ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. BY THE MARQUIS OF RIPON. 
The noble Chainnaii said he believed it now became 
his duty to address a few words to those present in opening 
the proceedings of the daj^, and he confessed that he pre- 
sented himself to them for that purpose with no little 
diffidence. "When he came to inquire of Mr. Davis what 
would be the nature of his duties upon this occasion, he was 
somewhat disma3'ed to find that one of them would be to 
make an address to a body of gentlemen so well versed in 
the science to which they devoted themselves, and whom he 
had so little claim to address upon these topics. At one 
moment he was tempted to endeavour to make some remarks 
with respect to the recent progress of Geological Science, 
and upon any questions connected with that science which 
might be pre-eminently engaging the attention of scientific 
men at this moment. And, indeed, he had gone so far as to 
request an eminent scientific friend to supply him with 
information which would have enabled him, to a certain 
extent, to discharge that duty ; but he confessed that when 
he came to reflect upon the matter, he felt that if he were, 
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