212 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
That the capital of Ireland was chosen as the 
place of convention for the meeting of this 
year, we know was hailed by our hospitable 
neighbours with those feelings whieh we 
should have expected from the countrymen 
of such scientific lights as Robert Boyle, 
Kirwan, and Brinkley. But that the recep- 
tion given to the Members of the British 
Association could have been equal to what 
each individual member found it to be, we 
are confident none could have most distantly 
anticipated. If respect to the delicate feel- 
ings of our open-hearted friends did not 
forbid every one who shared in the kindness 
which w'as so liberally exhibited, to remove 
that thin veil which ought always to prevent 
private hospitalities from being held up to 
public gaze ; how could not each of the 
twelve hundred and twenty-eight members 
of the British Association depict innumera- 
ble instances of traits of character, of friend- 
ly actions, and of soundness of principle 
which could not be exceeded, go where he 
might : and must ever be viewed by the 
philanthrophist, as most honourable to 
human nature. The present meeting has 
demonstrated that Science is not asleep in 
Ireland, but that it is quietly and modestly 
cultivated, and is ready to burst forth when- 
ever due encouragement is administered to 
fan its kindling embers. That the causes of 
dissension which have so long prevailed in 
the green island may speedily be dissipated, 
and that the United kingdom and the Sister 
island may in future aspire only to increase 
each other’s prosperity and greatness, was 
the public expression of some of the most 
distinguished leaders, and was ardently res- 
ponded to by every member of the Associa- 
tion. Let us hope that Science, which is not 
sectarian in its nature, which is of no country, 
or climate, but which is universal as the 
principle of gravity, may tend to heal all 
chafing wounds, and serve to unite in the 
bonds of friendship, all those who are enga- 
ged in investigating her hidden stores, the 
wonders of creation. 
On Monday the 10th of August tickets of 
admission were procured by strangers ; those 
of residents having previously been obtained 
as required by a public announcement. 
In addition to most of the British men of 
science, several foreigners joined the lists 
of the Association. Among these were M. 
Agassiz, of Neuchatel, and Dr. Moll, of 
Utrecht, who were also present at Edin- 
burgh. 
At 10 A.M. the different Committees of the 
Sections began to meet. 
The Sections were as formerly, six in 
number. 
A great error committed in Dublin was, in 
having the gardens attached to the Rotunda, 
open during the evening meetings. One of 
the most curious and interesting Lectures 
delivered during the week, viz. that of Mr. 
Wheatstone, on Saturday, was not heard by 
the greater proportion assembled in the room, 
in consequence of interruption from persons 
going to the gardens and returning to the 
room. 
A. Mathematics and Physics. 
Subsection A. Mechanical Arts. This 
subdivision was formed in consequence of the 
press of matter in the department of General 
Physics. 
B. Chemistry and Mineralogy. 
C. Geology and Geography. 
D. Zoology and Botany. 
E. Anatomy and Medicine. 
F. Statistics. 
GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY. 
Monday^ 1 0th August.* 
President, Mr. Griffith. Vice-Presi- 
dents, Mr. Murchison; Professor 
Sedgwick. Secretaries, Captain Port- 
lock ; Mr. Torrie. 
1 . The Chairman exhibited a Geological Map 
of Ireland, the construction of which had 
occupied his attention for many years ; and, 
although there might be some errors in mat- 
ters of detail, he believed that it was gene- 
rally correct, and afforded a faithful outline 
of the physical structure of Ireland. 
One remarkable peculiarity in the phy- 
sical structure of Ireland is, that while the 
waters are almost every where fringed with 
ranges of primary mountains, the interior of 
the country is level, or slightly undulated, 
and hence the course of most of the Irish 
rivers ; in fact, the Shannon affording the 
only exception to this remark. 
Another remarkable circumstance in the 
physical history of Ireland, is the frequent 
occurrence of long ranges of granite hills, 
often attaining the height of twenty or thirty 
miles, and running parallel to each other. 
In ancient times roads were constructed on 
the tops of these natural mounds. The 
usual course of these ridges is E. & W., but 
occasionally they are N. & S. 
These heaps of granite give an undulatory 
aspect to the country ; and, it is to this cir- 
cumstance that the profusion of ridges in 
Ireland is owing ; the depressions between 
the ridges becoming receptacles for water, 
and being afterwards obliterated by the 
formation of peat, the result of the decay of 
aquatic plants. 
It is, of course, beneath this accumulation 
of peat, and in the subjacent marl that the 
remains of the Irish elk are found. This 
marl is, in part at least, produced by the 
granite previously described, and sometimes 
attains a thickness of forty feet. 
The speaker then proceeded to consider the 
stratified rocks ; first describing the primary 
tracts which occur towards the coast, and 
then the vast and level district of calcareous 
rocks which occupies almost the whole of the 
* To Professor Powell of Oxford, and Dr. 
Scouler of Dublin, the Editor is almost solely 
indebted for the reports of the proceedings 
of the Geological and Physical Sections. He 
is himself responsible for the details relating 
to that of Chemistry ; and for the other re- 
ports he is obliged to Mr. King of Dublin and 
to other sources. 
