C. E. Dutton, in his paper on some of the greater problems of physical Geology (Bull. Phil. Soc. Washington, vol. xi, pp. 51–64, 1889–91), formulated his conception of Isostasy in the following words: “For this condition of equilibrium of figure to which gravitation tends to reduce a planetary body, irrespective of whether it be homogeneous or not, I propose the name of Isostasy. Isostasy is being disturbed by denudation and sedimentation …”

It was hoped that this section would have been presided over by Dr. C. W. Andrews. He had, indeed, accepted the invitation of the Council to become President, but the state of his health later compelled him to resign. His untimely death has deprived our science of a widely travelled and most talented geologist and a vertebrate palaeontologist of world-wide distinction.

The object of this article is to draw attention to the patterns found in surface deposits of Iceland which are attributable to frost action and alternating frost and thaw, and to point out that such structures may be preserved in sediments, as valuable indicators of ancient climates.

A Small quarry was opened about three years ago at Thwaite Head, which lies between the southern ends of Coniston Lake and Windermere. It is on the west side of the road between that hamlet and Hawkshead, and exposes a nearly vertical sill, 40 feet wide, running E.N.E.-W.S.W. in the Bannisdale slates. On the south side a series of joint-planes running parallel to the bedding of the slates and curving inwards at the top have split the igneous rock into flags, while in the body of the rock the jointing is much coarser, so that it is quarried in large blocks. Both the igneous rock and the slates are much decomposed and friable along the southern junction, and it is here a little galena is said to have been found when the quarry was first opened. This is not improbable, as the old Thwaite Head lead mine is situated not far off on the banks of Dale Park Beck.