GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 
67 
I have thus attempted to describe the drift of rather an extensive 
district; and to explain the ideas which its appearances have suggested. 
In rejecting the glacial hypothesis in its particular case, I know I shall 
have few supporters; for the adoption of the ice-theory has been so ge¬ 
neral that it is esteemed nothing less than a geological sin to think of 
any other; and even I myself was so impressed with the popular respect 
for it that I began my examinations with strong prejudices in its favour. 
By degrees, however, I became convinced that every force connected 
with drift need not, by any means, like Kabibonoka, 
“ Have its home among the icebergs 
and, while difficulties exist in the way of attributing everywhere to 
glacial agency the formation of superficial deposits, the objections to an 
aqueous theory chiefly arise from misconception of the action of water, 
and ignorance of its real motive power in currents and breakers. 
If I fail to convince others of the correctness of my views, my re¬ 
marks may at least have the effect of drawing more attention to an 
interesting division of our geology than has hitherto been bestowed on 
it ; and, in the final approval or rejection of my opinions, I hope equally 
to attain my object, which is the discovery of truth. 
I must consider it unfortunate that the eminent compiler of our 
Geological Map, Mr. Griffith, has not studied the drift formations with 
the same assiduity that, in the case of the solid strata, has made him 
distinguished by important discoveries. At the same time, he has not 
been wholly inattentive to the former; for, in certain parts of Ireland, 
he has noticed a drift from the north-west, corresponding, probably, 
with what I have called “the boulder drift” in my district; and to 
the north of that country he has proved the existence of a southern drift, 
whose great boulders, rolled down the northern slopes of the Ox Moun¬ 
tains, as well as the gravel hills running south and north at Killala, seem 
to complete the evidences of the escar movement to the sea. 
I cannot conclude without expressing my regret at the general want 
of appreciation of Geological Science in the country, and the apathy 
manifested with respect to a subject which equally concerns the philo¬ 
sopher and the practical man, and ought to be so valued by him who 
loves to worship God in the contemplation of his works. If the study 
of worlds through space can exalt our ideas of Omnipotence, not less 
edifying are the revelations of divine wisdom in the structure of the 
globe we inhabit; and, when the astronomer would address Heaven 
with his face towards the stars, the geologist may pray looking down¬ 
wards ; nor need piety seek sublime aspirations beyond the ruin-built 
temple of the earth. But we may hope that the advancing taste for 
knowledge may lead to a more just estimation of Geology, whose history, 
read from wasted monuments, presents, indeed, many an unlettered 
space : yet those dim intervals only add to its sublime interest, heighten¬ 
ing the charms that invest it, like the shadows of summer clouds chequer¬ 
ing the mountain landscape with beautiful darkness. 
