6 
BRITISH ASSOCIATION.- 1835 . 
one of the greatest of the remaining objections to the reception of 
the undulatory theory is at least partially removed. 
The Rev. W. Whewell stated the progress which had been made 
during the past year in Observations of the Tides, not only round the 
coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, but also under the direction of 
the Governments of Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Spain, France, Hol¬ 
land, and the United States. The dependence of the velocity of the 
tide wave on the depth of the ocean channels was pointed out as an 
instance of the collateral benefits arising from the advancement of 
any one branch of knowledge; for, in consequence of the perfection 
of this branch of hydraulical science, it might be possible for geo¬ 
logists to acquire some valuable information concerning parts of the 
ocean where no plummet ever sounded and no line was ever cast. 
Mr. Babbage explained his views of a method of Natural Chrono- 
metry derivable from an examination of the annual layers of growth 
in wood. Considering these layers as liable to vary in thickness 
according to favourable or unfavourable seasons, and any series of 
them in one tree capable of being coordinated with a contempora¬ 
neous series in another, by means of these irregularities, it was 
shown to be possible to arrive at an accurate knowledge of the pe¬ 
riod of existence of trees in which life had become extinct, or w T hich 
had been long enveloped in peat bogs, provided a sufficient number 
of trees of intermediate periods, wffiich had been subject to the same 
irregularities of annual growth, could be examined. The bearing of 
the inquiry on historical records of seasons and on geological specu¬ 
lations was pointed out, and the process which it would be most con¬ 
venient to pursue in the application of the method clearly indicated. 
Professor Sedgw'ick presented a general review of the labours of 
the Geological Section during the week, illustrated by a section of 
the Cumbrian and Silurian systems of rocks. 
Dr. Lardner delivered a lecture on Locomotive Engines, illus¬ 
trated by drawings and working models. 
Dr. Barry gave an account of his ascent of Mont Blanc in 
1834, illustrated by drawings. 
Mr. Babbage described a remarkable Phsenomenon in the Sea on 
the coast of Cephalonia (details of which had been communicated to 
him by Lord Nugent), w’hich appeared to indicate the existence of a 
large cavity below the bed of the sea, and communicating therewith. 
Professor Wheatstone exhibited his Speaking Machine, and ex¬ 
plained the principles of its construction, and the progress which 
had been made in the mechanical imitation of the human voice. 
