Cavendish's interest in geology developed approximately in the 1780s, potentially from the influence of John Michell. On his driving tours around England and Wales, Cavendish made various observations and collected samples that he later tested. These records cover a range of topics including the characteristics of various minerals. Most are not written by Henry Cavendish.
Of Cavendish's geological work, Sir Archibald Geikie wrote in Thorpe, Sir Edward "The Scientific Papers of the Honourable Henry Cavendish, F.R.S" Vol II, p432 that "it is of no geological importance, and it would add absolutely nothing of any consequence to his scientific renown." This comment was made in relation to the records of Cavendish's travels (HY/10/1-9), not in relation to the records now in this grouping.