Much has been written on the geology of Scotland, and perhaps no country has given birth to a larger proportion of eminent inquirers. The names of Hutton, Playfair, Murchison, and Lyell will ever be remembered among those of the great Scotchmen, who by their acquirements, genius, and perseverance, have so materially contributed to elevate the science of Geology to the rank it now holds among all men of learning.
Much has, however, still to be achieved before the geological and palæontological details connected with our country will have been completely worked out, and many zealous inquirers must be summoned to the field; some will do much, others little; but every accurate observation is so much gain, and will tend towards the complete elucidation of the subject, as well as help to form a basis upon which great minds may found with safety their general views and appreciations. I therefore hailed with much hope and delight the foundation of a Geological Society in Glasgow, which originated in May, 1858, with about a dozen young men, who wished to gain knowledge of the geological phenomena in the neighbourhood of their great city, under the guidance of an experienced and practical geologist; and thus, owing to the active co-operation and direction of Mr. J. P. Fraser, and that of some of its founders, the Society has already done some good work, and increased its numbers to about one hundred.
