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originally part of the diffused substance of the planet itself, and revolved 
with it, it is probable that the plane of the revolution of the moon would 
correspond nearly with the plane of the earth’s equator. But the plane of 
the moon’s orbit is at an angle of about five degrees and nine minutes to the 
plane of the earth’s orbit round the sun, while the plane of the earth’s 
equator is at an angle of about twenty-three degrees and a half. It was 
formerly more — it will by-and-by be less. This shows a change of the inclina- 
tion of the earth’s equator, and consequently of what originally was the axis 
of the earth,, to the extent of the difference between these two. That 
difference will be eighteen and a half degrees, and that difference is also 
about the distance between the magnetic pole and the geographical pole. 
Thus, if the magnetic pole at one time coincided with the geographical pole, 
their present amount of divergence points towards the same conclusion, that 
there has been a change of axis to that extent, and so corroborates the fact 
of a universal deluge, which would necessarily follow such a change, if 
sudden or very rapid. Then, in regard to the flint formation, I think I can 
produce specimens which seem to suggest a meteoric origin. I have speci- 
mens which contain vegetable roots, &c.-, which suggest that the flints are 
as much of terrestrial origin as a sea formation. 
Mr. D. Howard. — There is one question I should like to ask, and that is 
with regard to the changes of level in the Atlantic, whether they have been 
specially studied, and whether they are comparatively local, or if the whole 
country moved together, because it would very much depend upon this as to 
how far we should expect to find that the whole of England sank together 
and rose together ? It might be possible that Wales might be submerged, 
and France not. Otherwise it seems difficult to understand how we entirely 
miss the marine gravels on the French coast. 
Mr. T. K. Callard, F.G.S. — We are greatly indebted to Professor Hughes 
for the admirable paper we have before us to-night, and for the large 
amount of information given to us by one who has a right to speak with 
authority upon these questions. We are also indebted to his Grace the 
Duke of Argyll for asking the questions which have given rise to this paper. 
One of the questions has been answered very satisfactorily. I think we have 
had clear proof of the depression and elevation of the land. We have 
also had proof that these depressions and elevations have taken place in 
recent geological times. But there is one other question put by his Grace 
which, if we had had time, I should have liked to have heard answered, 
viz., the origin of the gravels containing the implements of man. It is 
evident that the Duke of Argyll is not quite satisfied that these gravels are 
river deposits. Professor Hughes speaks of “ the inferences to be drawn 
from the extent and relative age of the earth-movements, and their bearing 
upon the origin and age of the river- deposits from which the remains of 
man have been procured.” It is possible that these valleys, — the valley of 
the Thames and the valley of the Somme, — may have been formed before 
the land went down. If so, when the land was re-elevated, instead of a 
great length of time being required for the erosion of the valleys, they would 
