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NOTES ON ESSEX GEOLOGY.
and the Cretaceous beds were fairly well understood : indeed
of old the Drifts were looked on as more or less of a nuisance,
because they hid underlying formations, and were therefore,
neglected. 3. Because of the varying characters and the
irregular arrangements of the Drifts (not realised until the
study of these beds was started), which give so wide a scope
for opinions as to their age and origin and so full a chance for
that controversial element that appeals so strongly to the
geologic mind. 4. Because these late deposits bear so largely
on past geographic questions, the origin of our rivers and valleys,
the evolution of the present surface and its scenery. 5. Lastly,
there is the fact that some of these deposits are more or less
intimately connected with the life, both animal and vegetable,
that now exists, and especially with the advent of man and the
history of his early tools and weapons, subjects which seem to
admit of almost boundless discussion, for we never tire of hearing
of ourselves.
APPENDIX.
Since reading the above it occurred to me that it would be
useful to give a list of the Geologists' Association Excursions in
our County, especially as some of these refer to our somewhat
neglected Chalk and Eocene beds.
Then it seemed that it would be useful, at all events to our
new members, who may have only the late volumes of the Essex
Naturalist, to have some reference to the papers in that Journal :
so I have added shortened titles only of these (93), in chronological
order, again excepting those relating to water-supply, as well as
a few short notes. These also show an excess of work on Drift
and Recent beds, adding but little matter on Chalk and Eocene
beds ; but they introduce papers on deep underground geology,
on physiographic subjects, on earthquakes, subsidences and coast-
loss : they therefore fill up gaps in the outside literature, and they
certainly give further evidence of the activity of our members.
EXCURSIONS OF THE GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION
IN ESSEX.
Reported in their Proceedings 1890-1914. Arranged in alphabetical
order of the place or district visited.
Ballingdon (under Sudbury), 1914 ; Chelmsford, 1891, 1895 ,
? Chingford, 1911; Epping Forest, 1896, 1910 ; Essex Museum;
1906 ; Grays, 1891 (and railway to Upminster), 1893, 1901, 1903,
1911 ; Ilford, 1893. 1899; Laindon Hills, 1907; Rayleigh Hills,