40 
tity of the age of the beds containing fishes in Herfordshire and the north of Scot¬ 
land, and the limestones containing corals and other remains in Devonshire. But 
these questions had been settled by the discoveries in Russia. New formations 
in the various seas are in the constant progress of creation, and these must contain 
distinct organic remains, according to the localities; and thus the old theory of 
universal formations is exploded. From the almost perfect horizontality of the Rus¬ 
sian strata, it is evident that they now exist as when they were first deposited, undis¬ 
turbed by the igneous rocks ; exhibiting evidences of a general rising of the land—or, 
if not a general rising, it could be proved that there had been an oscillation, as in 
some places there had been depression. He then referred to his own similar dis¬ 
coveries in Scandinavia ; also to his discovery of Arctic sea shells at Udda valla, 
two hundred feet above the level of the sea ; and, in Sweden, at six hundred feet. 
This theory of continuous formations, you are aware, originated with Mr. Lyell. 
I understood Mr. De la Beche not to agree entirely with the Views of these gen¬ 
tlemen, and especially to dissent from Mr. Murchison’s proposition in reference to 
characteristic fossils. He regarded them as good evidence , but inferior to the 
proof of superposition , by which latter evidence he would be guided generally 
when the two conflicted ; but he believed that fossil fish were the best fossil char¬ 
acteristics. 
It does not, however, enter into the plan of this letter to analyze the different 
lectures which were delivered, or the discussions on them, which almost invariably 
ensued. I have attempted it only in this case because the subject was regard¬ 
ed as peculiarly important. If I had the leisure, I might endeavor to present a 
condensed view of some of the most interesting of the papers; but this is not very 
necessary, as, in the course of the winter, the volume of Transactions at the re¬ 
cent session will be published, and I will take measures to procure a copy for the 
National Institution. I would particularly recommend to your notice Agassiz on 
the Glaciers, Williamson the Combustion of Coal and the Prevention of the Gen¬ 
eration of Smoke in Furnaces, Sir David Brewster’s Papers, Dr. Chalmers on 
Statistics, and Espy’s on the Law of Storms; which last paper attracted much at¬ 
tention, and was ably sustained by Professor Phillips. 111 
The following programme will convey some idea of the distribution of time and 
the organization of the Association : 
British Association for the Advancement or Science. 
Meetings , Excursions , 4-c., in September. 
Wednesday, 16th, l p. m. General Committee, (Faculty Hall College.) 
Thursday, 17th, 10 a. m. Committees of Sections. 
11a. m. Sectional Meetings. 
8 p. m. General Meeting, (Theatre.) 
Friday, 18th, 10 a. m. Committees of Sections. 
11 a. m. Sectional Meetings. 
8 p. m. Promenade, (Exchange.) 
* The Athenaeum contains a general account of these transactions, and where my notes were 
defective I have supplied the deficiency from that source in my notice of Murchison’s paper on 
Russia. 
