Sir Archibald Geikie Research Articles

XX.—On a New Species of Cephalaspis, discovered by the Geological Survey of Scotland, in the Old Red Sandstone of Oban

In the autumn of last year Sir Archibald Geikie, F.R.S., Director-General of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, Kindly placed in my hands for determination a number of specimens of Cephalaspis, collected by his officers in the Lower Old Red Sandstone of the neighbourhood of Oban. On examining them, I found that they all belonged to one species, which was, however, new to science.Accordingly I drew up a brief diagnosis of this new form, which was included by Sir Archibald in his Summary of Progress of the Geological Survey for 1897, and it is now my privilege, with his sanction, to offer to this Society a more detailed description of the species, accompanied with figures.

XXXII.—Report on Fossil Fishes collected by the Geological Survey of Scotland in the Silurian Rocks of the South of Scotland

In the autumn of last year (1897), Sir A. Geikie, F.R.S., Director-General of the Geological Survey, kindly placed in my hands for description an important collection of fossil fish-remains from the Silurian rocks of the Lesmahagow district, which had been made by Messrs Macconochie and Tait, collectors to the Survey. I accordingly prepared a brief report on these fishes, which was included by the Director-General in hisSummary of Progressfor that year.The collection was, however, considerably increased by additional work on the part of Mr Tait in the spring of the present year (1898). Many better and more complete specimens were procured, and I was able to define one new genus and species, which had previously been represented only by undeterminable fragments. The results gained by the examination of the entire collection I now propose, with Sir Archibald Geikie's sanction, to lay before this Society in detailed form.

XXXIII.—The Trap Dykes of the Orkneys

The existence of a series of trap dykes cutting the Old Red Sandstone strata of the Orkneys has been noted by most of the geologists who have examined the islands. In his description of the Mainland or Pomona, Professor Jameson states (I., p. 233, vol i.) that “at Yesknaby is the only basaltic rock which I observed in the whole island. It forms veins which traverse the common argillaceous sandstone. The crystals of hornblende, which are contained in it, are larger than usual in such rocks, being more than an inch long and half an inch broad. I sometimes observed small cavities filled with bitumen.” Sir Archibald Geikie, in his account of the Old Red Sandstone of Orkney, remarks (II., p. 408): “Here and there a few basalt dykes—far outlying portions, no doubt, of the great Tertiary series of the West of Scotland—cut through the flagstones with a prevalent direction towards west or north-west.” Messrs Peach and Horne, in their paper on The Old Red Sandstone of Orkney (III., p. 14), describe them in the following terms: “Several dykes of basalt were observed among the islands. They are most numerous and conspicuous on the west coast of the Mainland from Breckness to Skaill, but as they have been so often described, it is unnecessary to refer to them in detail. They have the same lithological characters, and behave in exactly the same manner as the dykes in other parts of Scotland, which have been regarded as the product of volcanic energy in Miocene times. A noticeable feature about the Orcadian representatives is, that they are usually divided up the centre of the dyke by a line of vesicles. This is not an uncommon feature elsewhere.” In the chapter on the Geology of Orkney in Tudor's The Orkneys and Shetland, by the same authors, the dykes are referred to in similar terms (IV., p. 191). A somewhat more minute examination of these dykes was made by Professor M. Foster Heddle. He notes the presence of augite, olivine, and hornblende in certain dykes near Skaill (V., p. 118), and gives a map of the dyke which cuts the west end of the granite outcrop at Inganess (V., pl. viii.). He figures also a crystal of augite of simple form which he found in a dyke on Scabra Head, Rousay (V., p. 128).

XIII. The Old Red Sandstone of the Orkneys

As the result of two visits to Orkney, in which he was accompanied by Mr B. N. Peach, he pointed out that the yellow sandstones of Hoy did not pass down conformably into the flagstones which form the basis of that island, but were separated from them by a marked unconformity. At the base, of the upper sandstones lay a series of contemporaneous lavas and ash beds, which were in all probability erupted, from certain ‘necks’ in the low-lying district at the foot of the Hoy Hills. These rocks he regarded as belonging to the upper Old Red Sandstone. The lower Old Red Sandstone consisted principally of a great thickness of flagstones, with which were interstratified beds of yellow and red sandstone, and occasionally of conglomerate. The fossils belonged exclusively to this lower series; and a table is given, compiled by Mr C. W. Peach, showing the distribution 9f fossil fishes in the lower Old Red Sandstone of Lake Orcadie, including those of Orkney so far as known at that time. As Sir Archibald Geikie anticipated, subsequent revision has necessitated “considerable pruning of the fossil lists.” The conglomerates around the granite axis of Stromness formed merely a local base, “due to the uprise of an old ridge of rock from the surface of the sheet of water in which these strata were accumulated,” and were presumably not on the same horizon as the thick conglomerates on which, in Caithness, the lowest flagstones rest. The sandstones interbedded with the flagstones in South Ronaldshay were regarded as in all probability the northward continuation of the similar rocks at Gill's Bay, Huna, and John o'Groats, on the south side of the Pentland Firth. From a geological point of view, the brief notice of the Old Red Sandstone of the Orkneys contained in this paper forms by far the most important contribution to the knowledge of the subject published up to that time.

Geological Survey of the United Kingdom 1

REPORTS of the progress of the Geological Surveys in India and Canada have already been noticed in NATURE. The report of our home survey has since been issued by the Director-General, Sir Archibald Geikie. It is more voluminous than those of the other countries, and appears rather to be a full record than a “Summary” of the observations made during 1898 by the staff of the Survey. Whatever may be said concerning the state of our knowlege of geology in England and Wales, in Scotland and in Ireland, it cannot be gainsaid that very much remains to be done both from a scientific and a purely economic point of view. The report before us is a striking testimony to this, and when we consider the limited staff and poor equipment of our Survey, it is surprising how much has been done to further the progress of knowledge.

Geology at the British Association

A BANDONING on this occasion the customary procedure of opening the proceedings with the presidential address, Section C plunged at the first meeting into the midst of its work with a long list of papers. The reason for this change was that Sir Archibald Geikie's address might be heard on Saturday by the visiting members of the French Association between their reception in the Town Hall and their entertainment at luncheon in the College Close. The arrangement proved highly successful, and the President's eloquent demand that geologists should be allowed to investigate the duration of geological time for themselves with data at their command, unhampered by the vague speculations in which the physicists have indulged, was listened to by a crowded audience, the platform being occupied by a distinguished group of British and foreign men of science.

Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations

AS we learn from Sir Archibald Geikie in his interesting preface, the history of the later portion of James Hutton's great work on the “Theory of the Earth” is a perplexing question. In 1795 the well-known two volumes appeared, containing the first and second parts, but the title-page bears the words “in four parts.” Of those two the first is little more than a reprint of the essay on the same subject read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1785. The second part, dealing with the operation of natural causes on the surface of the globe—or dynamical geology, as it is now sometimes called—was new matter. These volumes are without preface or preliminary sketch, so that no clue is given to the plan of the remainder of the work, while the fact that Hutton ends his second volume with an elaborate summary suggests that he contemplated a pause of some duration before issuing the remainder. At his death, in 1797, the third volume, according to Playfair, was practically complete; and we do not know why his friends did not publish it. Perhaps, as Sir A. Geikie suggests, they waited for certain illustrations, which Mr. John Clerk, Hutton's great friend, had promised to furnish. Gaps are left for these in the text; but, at any rate, Playfair and Lord Webb Seymour quote from the manuscript in a paper on Glen Tilt, read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1814. It was then lost sight of—the earlier portion, including three chapters, has vanished; the other was a parting gift from Lord Webb Seymour to Leonard Horner, and was presented by him to the Geological Society of London in 1856. In its charge it has remained, forgotten by most of the Fellows, till Sir Archibald Geikie urged its publication on the Council, promising to take upon himself the laborious task of editing. Needless to say, this has been admirably done. The manuscript is printed as though it had followed on the preceding volumes. A few small lacunæ or matters needing explanation are dealt with in explanatory notes, which are models of terseness and a great help to the reader, who, in addition, has to thank the editor for an index, not only to this volume, but also to the two others.

I.—Theory of the Earth, with Proofs and Illustrations. In Four Parts. By James Hutton, M.D., F.R.S.E. Vol. III, Edited by Sir Archibald Geikie, D.C.L., F.R.S. 8vo; pp. xvi, 278, with Index to Vols. I and II. London, 1899. Published by the Geological Society, Burlington House, London. Price 3s. 6d.

I.—Theory of the Earth, with Proofs and Illustrations. In Four Parts. By James Hutton, M.D., F.R.S.E. Vol. III, Edited by Sir Archibald Geikie, D.C.L., F.R.S. 8vo; pp. xvi, 278, with Index to Vols. I and II. London, 1899. Published by the Geological Society, Burlington House, London. Price 3s. 6d.

Sir Archibald Geikie on Scenery and Literature

Sir Archibald Geikie on Scenery and Literature

II.—A New Geological Map of England and Wales, reduced from the Ordnance and Geological Surveys, and published with Government Authority under the direction of SirArchibald Geikie, D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S. With Descriptive Text. By John Bartholomew & Co. Mounted on cloth and in case, 12s. 6d.; on cloth with rollers and varnished, 17s. 6d. (Edinburgh,1897.)

II.—A New Geological Map of England and Wales, reduced from the Ordnance and Geological Surveys, and published with Government Authority under the direction of SirArchibald Geikie, D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S. With Descriptive Text. By John Bartholomew &amp; Co. Mounted on cloth and in case, 12<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>.; on cloth with rollers and varnished, 17<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>. (Edinburgh,1897.)

Papers read to the Society, March 4, 1897

I. “Experiments on the Absence of Mechanical Connection betwen Ether and Matter,” By Oliver Lodge, D.Sc., F. R. S., Professor of Physics, University College, Liverpool. II. “Second Report on a Series of Specimens of the Deposits of the Nile Delta, obtained by Boring Operations undertaken by the Royal Society.” By John W. Judd, C.B., LL.D., F. R. S., Professor of Geology in the Royal College of Science. III. “ The Palaeolithic Deposits at Hitchin and their Relation to the Glacial Epoch.” By Clement Reid., F.L.S., F.G.S., of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom. Communicated by Sir Archibald Geikie, F. R. S. IV. “Luminosity and Photometry.” By John Berry Haycraft,. M.D., University College, Cardiff. Communicated by Professor Schäfer, F. R. S.

The Founders of Geology

THE truths of science cannot be more impressively taught than by a sketch of the process by which the knowledge has been arrived at, and in no way can that history be more forcibly conveyed than in the biographies of those pioneers who first interpreted the phenomena for us. We may have wondered why the truth was not sooner grasped, but by this method of treating the subject we see what imperfection of evidence or prejudice stood in the way, and learn to appreciate the true spirit of original research which eventually rises above and overcomes all difficulties. The Founders of Geology. By Sir Archibald Geikie. Pp. x + 297. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1897.)

University and Educational Intelligence

OXFORD.—Sir Archibald Geikie has been appointed the Romanes Lecturer for 1898.

II.— The Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain. By SirArchibald Geikie, F.R.S., D.C.L., D.Sc, etc., Director-General of the Geological Survey. Imperial 8vo. In two volumes. Vol. I, pp. xxiv and 477, with four maps and 175 illustrations. Vol. II, pp. xvi and 492, with three maps and 382 illustrations. (London: Macmillan &amp; Co., Ltd., 1897. Price 36s. nett.)

II.— The Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain. By SirArchibald Geikie, F.R.S., D.C.L., D.Sc, etc., Director-General of the Geological Survey. Imperial 8vo. In two volumes. Vol. I, pp. xxiv and 477, with four maps and 175 illustrations. Vol. II, pp. xvi and 492, with three maps and 382 illustrations. (London: Macmillan &amp; Co., Ltd., 1897. Price 36<i>s</i>. nett.)

The Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain . By Sir Archibald Geikie. London, Macmillan &amp; Co., Limited. New York, The Macmillan Company. 1897. 2 vols., Imperial 8vo, with seven maps and many illustrations.

<i>The Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain</i> . By Sir Archibald Geikie. London, Macmillan &amp; Co., Limited. New York, The Macmillan Company. 1897. 2 vols., Imperial 8vo, with seven maps and many illustrations.

The Ancient Volcanoes of Britain

THE Edinburgh school of geology, when of old it formulated the theory of existing causes of terrestrial change, established the fundamental principle of modern geological science. Thanks to this school, men learnt how rocks were formed, how the strata of the earth's crust were built up, how slow had been the evolution of the continents and oceans, and how important is the conception of time in regard to the past history of the globe. The brilliant representative of this illustrious school who has recently published a history of the volcanoes of Great Britain, sets forth in this remarkable treatise the great features in the volcanic history of the earth, and establishes the principles which will henceforth guide geologists in the study of the massive crystalline rocks. The Ancient Volcanoes of Britain. By Sir Archibald Geikie, Director-General of the Geological Survey. Vol. I., pp. xxiv. + 477; Vol. II., pp. xvi. + 492. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1897.)

Geological Map of the British Isles Mineralogical Geology: a Synopsis for the Use of Students

THE first of these works is by a long way the best and most convenient geological map of the British Isles, both for lecturers and students; and this new and greatly revised edition has added considerably to its utility. It is, indeed, not likely to have a serious rival until the completion of the index-maps of the Geological Survey; and these will still be on too large a scale for the purposes of a comprehensive view. On the present map, fourteen miles go to an inch; and we are glad to see that a scale of kilometers is added. The colouring is clear and bold; and a number of small-type notes along the coast call attention to local details, as is customary in British maps of an educational character. Geological Map of the British Isles. Originally compiled by Sir Archibald Geikie. Revised and extended by Alexander Johnstone, F.G.S. (Edinburgh and London: W. and A. K. Johnston, 1896.) Mineralogical Geology: a Synopsis for the Use of Students. To accompany W. and A. K. Johnston's Geological Map of the British Isles. By Alexander Johnstone. (Same publishers as above, 1897.)

I.—The Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain. By SirArchibald Geikie, F.R.S., D.C.L., D.Sc, etc., Director-General of the Geological Survey. Imperial 8vo. In two volumes. Vol. I, pp. xxiv and 477, with seven maps and 175 illustrations. Vol. II, pp. xvi and 492, with 382 illustrations. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1897. Price 36s. nett.) (First notice.)

I.—The Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain. By SirArchibald Geikie, F.R.S., D.C.L., D.Sc, etc., Director-General of the Geological Survey. Imperial 8vo. In two volumes. Vol. I, pp. xxiv and 477, with seven maps and 175 illustrations. Vol. II, pp. xvi and 492, with 382 illustrations. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1897. Price 36s. nett.) (First notice.)

The Recent Visit of Sir Archibald Geikie

The Recent Visit of Sir Archibald Geikie

I.—Annual Report of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, and of the Museum of Practical Geology, for the Year 1896. By SirArchibald Geikie, D.C.L., F.R.S., Director-General. 8vo. (London: Eyre &amp; Spottiswoode, 1897.)

I.—Annual Report of the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, and of the Museum of Practical Geology, for the Year 1896. By SirArchibald Geikie, D.C.L., F.R.S., Director-General. 8vo. (London: Eyre &amp; Spottiswoode, 1897.)