VI 
PROCEEDINGS, 
This ceremony was followed in the afternoon by visits to 
Colleges and a garden party in the grounds of Christ’s College, 
when the rooms occupied by Charles Darwin as an Undergraduate 
were inspected ; and in the evening by a banquet in the New 
Examination Hall and a reception at Pembroke College. 
On Thursday morning Honorary Degrees were conferred in 
the Senate House, and at noon the Rede Lecture was delivered 
by Sir Archibald G-eikie, K.C.B., D.Sc., President of the Royal 
Society, the subject being “ Darwin as G-eologist.” 
In commencing his Address Sir Archibald said: “ The nature 
and extent of Charles Darwin’s contributions to biological 
science have been so often and so fully described, and his 
influence on almost all departments of human thought has been 
so amply recognized, that for the present little more may seem 
to remain to be said on the subject until in the course of time 
a fresh review of his relations to the history of intellectual 
development may be called for. Nevertheless I venture to think 
that there is one branch of his scientific labours the value and 
significance of which have scarcely perhaps received the notice 
and appreciation to which they are entitled. It is apt to be 
forgotten that Darwin began his active scientific career as a 
geologist, that it was mainly to geological problems that the 
earlier years of his life were devoted, and that it was in no 
small measure from the side of geology that he was led into 
those revolutionary studies which have given him so just a title 
to our affection and gratitude, and have placed him so high 
among the immortals.” 
After giving a sketch of Darwin’s numerous and important 
contributions to geological knowledge, especially as bearing on 
evolution, he concluded in the following words:—“ When the 
history of the progress of science in the nineteenth century 
comes to be written, the views expressed in the geological 
chapters of Darwin’s great work, whether novel or enforcing 
with new emphasis what had been more or less clearly perceived 
before, will be seen to mark a notable epoch in modern geology. 
They have thoroughly permeated the recent literature of the 
science, insomuch that the student who finds them so intimately 
incorporated may lose sight of the source to which he owes them. 
As one of the survivors of the time when the ‘ Origin of Species ’ 
appeared, I am glad to be privileged with this public opportunity 
of acknowledging the deep debt which the science of geology, 
in many of its departments and in the whole spirit by which it 
is now informed, owes to the life-long labours of the author of 
that work. G-eologists are proud to claim him as one of them¬ 
selves and as one of the great masters by whom their favourite 
science has been advanced. In their name, therefore, I beg to 
offer at this centennial celebration our tribute of gratitude and 
admiration to the memory of Charles Darwin.” # 
* This Address has been published. 
