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estimate the lapse of time in any other cavern different from what is seen 
here. 
The Chairman. — I have asked the question for this reason. The first 
action of the soluble matter percolating through the roofs of these caverns 
is clearly to form the stalactite, and this process goes on until what may be 
called the overflow, which is not crystallized in forming the stalactite, drops 
to the floor and forms the stalagmite, this formation is rapid in propor- 
tion to the quantity of matter held in solution. 
Mr. Howard.— That which is peculiar or remarkable in Kent’s Cavern is 
the great mass of tufa, which, as shown by Sir Charles Lyell’s description, 
can be formed in a very short time and, as you may see at Clermont Ferrand 
or in Italy, abundantly. The suggestion is that the tufa varies in its mode 
of formation from pure stalagmite. 
Kev. J. Fisher, D.D. — I consider the paper read this evening a valuable 
one, abounding in common sense. We can all admit what are shown 
to be the facts of science, and we delight in the discoveries of scientific 
men ; but we say that there is not a single fact of science which 
clashes with a single statement of the Word of God,' rightly expounded. 
Moreover, it cannot do so. This paper consists of two parts, one 
dealing with the Devonshire Caves directly, and the other with the Mam- 
moth. If we admit the idea of uniformity in the natural deposits which 
have taken place in these caves, then, of course, we have a sort of 
chronometer ; but I suppose that no one now holds this doctrine of unifor- 
mity fully and completely.* Therefore, as we are driven from this mode of 
testing the lapse of time, we have in reality no standard whatever, and those 
who attempt to measure by the method I have indicated do so by a false 
standard. The first step to be taken by men of science who wish to prove 
that they are right in their conclusions, as to the intervals occupied by 
geological processes, is to show that their standard is correct. It is of no 
use for one man to say that an inch is deposited in a certain time, and for 
another man to say the deposit which takes place in that time is seven 
yards. There is no agreement in these measurements. Let them first agree 
upon their principle. They may talk as long as they please about the periods 
that have elapsed, and Sir Charles Lyell may descend from 800,000 to 
200.000 years, and someone else may guess 1,000,000, while another estimates 
10.000 or 12,000 years. There is no standard to guide us as to who is in the 
right and who is in the wrong. We are told that there are two openings 
in one of these caverns, the matter forming the stalagmite coming through 
these two openings. Who can say that there may not have been ten openings, 
or any other number ? (Hear, hear.) Then, with regard to animals coming 
into the cave, there is a good deal of room for difference of opinion on this 
also. Then, again, the rolling of the stones and bones found in the cave 
* As a rule, it will be found that many leading geologists, notably 
Mr. J. Evans, have recently given up the thickness of stalagmite as a measure 
of time. — E d. 
