92 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
to the immense losses which had been caused by the ignorant search for minerals, 
in situations where a geologist would at once know they could not be found. He 
adverted, also, to other cases, where the science of Geology had enabled Man to 
reach valuable minerals, in situations where ignorant persons had long been con¬ 
vinced they did not exist, or were inaccessible. Such was the discovery of the 
Warwickshire Coal-field, under the Red Sandstone, and the Hetton and other 
Durham Coals, which had been reached through the Limestone. In reference to 
railway operations, he remarked on the importance of going in the longitudinal 
direction of the strata. The case of the North-Midland was a remarkable 
illustration of this. The line followed the rule he had described, and went chiefly 
through soft cutting. But the opposition had attempted to bring it by a route 
which would have intersected the rocks almost at right angles. He adverted, 
also, to the advantages which Geology would confer on Architecture, and on 
Agriculture, in reference to manuring and draining; and the great value of 
geological knowledge to colonists. He referred to Dr. Smith, who may be 
regarded as the father of English Geology, and who has collected an immense 
amount of knowledge on the subject, which it is feared that his embarrassed 
circumstances will render him unable to bring before the world. Mr. Morton 
recommended this as an exceedingly fit case for the liberal interposition of 
Government. In various respects, the Government was now encouraging the 
increase of geological knowledge, which he hailed as a favourable sign of the 
times. 
On the motion of Mr. Embleton, seconded by Mr. Wilson, the thanks of the 
Society were voted to the Rev. Mr. Thorp and Mr. Morton, for their valuable 
and interesting papers. 
Mr. Hall then exhibited a patent hydraulic belt for raising water. The 
machinery consists of a cylinder working in the water, and another corresponding 
to it, a little above the point to which the water is to be raised. A woollen belt 
passing under the lower, and over the upper cylinder is moved by their revolu¬ 
tions, and brings up great quantities of water, which is thrown off by the working 
of the belt over the upper cylinder. By this cheap and simple machinery, it was 
explained that water had been raised to the height of 130 feet by a seven-inch 
band, at the rate of 86 gallons per minute. 
The Chairman then announced the adjournment of the meeting to seven 
o’clock in the evening. 
At four o’clock, about sixty gentlemen sat down to an ordinary, at the Tontine, 
when Lord Howard presided, and his Lordship took occasion to remark upon the 
importance of a Society so capable of rendering great services to the neighbour¬ 
hood being adequately supported by all persons resident within the sphere of its 
operations. The interesting proceedings of this morning convinced him of the 
