40 
I therefore proceed with the more confidence to offer my 
gleanings from the field of science, since it is in the collection 
of facts by humble contributors that the necessary materials 
are found to unravel geological problems, and to test the 
truth of the different theories which are advanced to explain 
the mysteries of.nature. 
Pontefract, selected as the place of meeting this afternoon, 
is destined to become of considerable importance as a coal 
town, not only to the mere capitalist who digs down into the 
bowels of the earth in search of mineral treasures, for the 
sole purpose of converting them into wealth, but to the 
mining engineer and to the student of natural science, of 
which Geology forms a branch. 
The town seems almost to have been destined, from the 
elevated position nature has given it on the top of a silicious 
sandstone rock, as a central point of observation, from which 
not only can the rocks of the surrounding country be 
surveyed, but local objects of archaeological and historical 
interest be best examined. 
If you will now follow me on these maps, directing your 
eyes from the sun setting to the sun rising, the country 
around you presents these geological features : — On the 
West, commencing with the Millstone Grit at Halifax, by 
Wakefield, Sharlston, Snydale, Purston Jaglin, and termi- 
nating near Pontefract Cemetery, range the carboniferous 
rocks, or more ancient geological records of the country. 
Under our feet, at Baghill, Glass Houghton, Marlpit Hill, 
Mill Hill, Wentbridge Hill, and Hawthorn Cottage, are the 
lower Permian Bed Sandstones of Smith and Sedgwick. A 
little towards the East, at Kirk Smeaton, Brockendale, and 
Darrington, are the Lower Magnesian; at Womersley, 
Brotherton, and Garforth, the rocks of the Upper Magnesian 
Limestone, or middle period of the geology of the district ; 
whilst the country about Fenwick, Birkin, and Chapel 
