The proportion of the head to the neck, measuring from the point of the superior maxillary to the extremity of the angular piece of the lower jaw, is as 5 to 8, the head being, therefore, rather more than half the length of the neck; its proportion to the whole skeleton is about 1 to 6. This large proportionate size of the head corresponds very nearly with that of P. megacephalus, Stutchbury, and an undescribed species from Redcar, in the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, named P. Zetlandicus by Professor Phillips, from both of which it differs in several very important particulars.

Note. Since reading the above paper, the authors have received information, through the kindness of Mr. Martin Simpson, the Curator, respecting a Plesiosaurus in the Whitby Museum, which in its proportional measurements appears to ap proximate very closely with the above species.

On an Extinct Volcano in Upper Burmah. By W. T. BLANFORD, F.G.S. The most conspicuous object visible from the River Irawaddi, between its mouth and the capital of the kingdom of Ava, is the lofty hill of Puppa, which lies about 100 miles beyond the British frontiers, on the east or left bank of the river, and about 35 miles E.S.E. of the town of Pagau, famous for the enormous number and the magnificent architecture of its ancient Buddhist temples. The whole undulating plain between the River Irawaddi and Puppa Hill consists of the Upper Tertiary sands. The hill itself is a fine extinct volcano, its height probably a little under 5000 feet. The upper part of the cone is free from the forest which covers the lower portion, and a complete change in the flora and the presence of some plants common to temperate climates show the effect of the altitude reached. The upper part of the cone is solely composed of ash-beds; towards the base there is an abundance of old lava-flows, and a thin cap of these has protected a portion of the soft underlying sands, so that the hill is surrounded by a broad terrace, the edges of which rise abruptly 300 or 400 feet from the country around. Some small, flat-capped hills, detached from the mass, present a peculiar appearance, from their cap of black ash-beds and lava contrasting with the white sand of which they are principally composed.

The following section was obtained from an examination of the cliff surrounding the terrace (all the beds horizontal):

1. Lava-flow, forming a cap of variable thickness.

2. Soft white sand, somewhat micaceous, about 80 feet.

3. (Very local) bed of pumice, 5 feet.

4. Volcanic ash and scoriæ, with rounded quartz-pebbles, varying in thickness from 5 to 20 feet.

5. Ferruginous conglomerate, containing the iron-ore of the country, thin. 6. Soft, coarse, yellowish sand, containing pebbles, about 100 feet seen. The author believed that the sands above and below the ash-bed No. 4 were identical with those containing fossil wood and bones in various parts of the Irawaddi valley. He concluded that the commencement at least of the volcanic outburst of Puppa was synchronous with the existence of Mastodon latidens and the several Pachydermata and Ruminantia, remains of which have been collected at Genanthamug and other places in Upper Burmah. These beds contain several fossils identical with those of the Sewalik beds of India, which have commonly been considered as Miocene. The large proportion of bones of Ruminants (Oxen and Deer) in the Irawaddi beds may perhaps suggest a somewhat more recent epoch. The shape of the volcanic cone is well preserved, with the exception of the crater being broken down on one side, so that no lake exists within. The climate, however, of this portion of Burmah is extremely dry, and the action of subaërial denuda

tion is probably very slow, so that the mountain may have preserved its form for a very considerable geological period. The existence of a peculiar flora on the upper portion (Pteris aquilina), and of a land-shell (Helix Huttoni) common to the slopes of the Himalayas and the Nilgherris, but not yet found in any portion of the plains of India or Burmah, seems to show that the cone has not only been in a quiescent state, but also covered with vegetation, at a time when the condition of the surrounding country was very different from what it is at present, since it is scarcely possible that ferns or land-shells should cross the large area of dry and arid land intervening between this isolated peak and the nearest hills (60 or 80 miles at least).

The position of this extinct cone is interesting, from the circumstance of the wellknown great volcanic line of the Eastern Islands terminating at Banca Island (perhaps at Chedalia), in the Bay of Bengal. Whether in Tertiary times this volcanic line extended to the N. towards China is a question for future explorers of the as yet unknown regions of Upper Burmah, Yunan, and Thibet.

On some Flint Implements from Amiens. By the Rev. T. G. BONNEY, F.G.S.

Notes on Deep or Artesian Wells at Norwich.

By the Rev. J. CROMPTON, M.A.

The object of the paper is to put on record the facts connected with an attempt, by Messrs. J. J. Colman, of London and Norwich, to bore through the Chalk to the Lower Greensand, for the purpose of obtaining water free from the impurities of that within the range of the Chalk of the neighbourhood.

The operation is performed by Messrs. Mather and Platt's machine. In the hard chalk the rate of penetration has been 20 to 25 feet per day for 500 feet.

After a few feet of alluvium, the borer passed through hard chalk with flints, at distances of about 6 or 7 feet apart, for 700 feet, with the exception of 10 feet at the depth of 500 feet, where the rock was soft and of a rusty colour; thence the flints were thicker, viz. about 4 feet apart, to the depth of 1050 feet; then 102 feet were pierced of chalk, free from flints, to the upper greensand, a stratum of about 6 feet, and next Gault for 36 feet, the whole boring being full of water to within 16 feet of the surface.

In this Gault the proceeding has been unfortunately arrested by breakages of the rope, leaving the boring-heads lying across the passage, baffling all attempts to remove them.

The fossils brought up have been the ordinary species found in the Chalk, as Spatangus cordiformis, and Sharks' teeth (one, that of Lamna Mantellii). From the Gault, Ammonites lautus, symmetricus, and fragments of Inoceramus.

The Foraminifera in the Gault are

In the Chalk, at 500 feet depth, the Foraminifera are more sparsely distributed; they consist chiefly of the two genera Globigerina and Textularia. Rotalina more rare. The same is the case at 110, 400, and 1000 feet in depth.

On Flint Implements from Abbeville and Amiens. By Dr. DAUBENY, F.R.S. Dr. Daubeny exhibited some flint implements obtained from the post-pliocene deposits near Abbeville and Amiens, with a view of eliciting the opinion of the Section with respect to their antiquity, and the possibility of their being formed by other than human agency.

On the last Eruption of Vesuvius. By Dr. DAUBENY, F.R.S.

The author confined himself to those phenomena which appeared to present some novelty, and to have a bearing upon the general theory of volcanic action. Vesuvius appears during the last few years to be entering a new phase of action. Its eruptions are more frequent, but less violent, than they were formerly; they proceed from a lower level than they did at an earlier period; and they give vent to certain volatile and gaseous principles, such as the vapour of naphtha and light carburetted hydrogen, or marsh-gas, never before detected. The last eruption has likewise caused an elevation of the coast to the height of 3 feet 7 inches above the level of the sea, which has not been observed to take place on any former occasion. In speculating on the causes which have produced these changes in the nature of the operations of Vesuvius, the author first considered the theory which recognizes a second class of volcanos distinct from those ordinarily known as such, and designated by the name of mud-volcanos. As these latter are characterized by the emission of carburetted hydrogen and naphtha, as well as of semifluid mud, it might be suggested by those who regard them as partaking of the nature of volcanos, that Vesuvius from emitting these same products was now passing into the condition of a mud-volcano. But the author finds reason for denying that the so-called mudvolcanos, of which Macalube in Sicily and Taman in the Sea of Azof are types, have anything in common with genuine ones, such as Vesuvius; and he therefore contends that the above products are generated simply by the action of volcanic heat upon contiguous beds of Apennine limestone containing bituminous matters imbedded. Hence would arise the enormous evolution of carbonic acid observed, and the carburetted hydrogen as well as vapour of naphtha which accompany it, and which may be regarded as the secondary and incidental products of volcanic action, whilst the muriatic and sulphurous acids are the primary and essential ones. The author concluded by recommending to the explorers of volcanic phenomena an accurate examination of the gases evolved, as the best clue to an explanation of the true nature and cause of volcanic action. The latest researches of Deville and others on volcanic emanations present nothing irreconcileable with that chemical theory which the author has so long espoused; but all he asks of geologists is diligently to record the facts, chemical as well as physical, which volcanos present, instead of contenting themselves with simply referring the eruptions to certain great cosmical changes which they imagine to have taken place.

On the Wokey Hole Hyana-den. By W. BOYD DAWKINS, F.G.S. The author described the peculiar features of the den-its accidental discovery, it being filled up to the roof with débris, stones, and organic remains-and showed the evidence of human occupation. In three areas in the cave he found ashes of bone-either of Rhinoceros or Elephas-associated with flint and chert implements of the same type as those of Amiens and Abbeville, and as those of Suffolk. They were, however, of ruder workmanship, and possibly are of an earlier date. They were found underlying lines of peroxide of manganese and of comminuted bone, and overlying, in one of the three areas, remains of the Hyæna, which mark the old floors of the cave. From this he inferred that "Man, in one of the earlier, if not the earliest, stages of his being, dwelt in this cave, as some of the most degraded of our race do at present; that he manufactured his implements and his weapons out of flint, brought from the chalk downs of Wilts, and the least fragile chert of the greensand of the Blackdown Hills, and arrow-heads out of the more easily fashioned bone. Fire-using, indeed, and acquainted with the use of the bow, he was far worse armed, with his puny weapons of flint and bone, than his contemporaries with their sharp claws and strong teeth. The very fact that he held

his ground against them shows that cunning and craft more than compensated for the deficiency of his armament. Secondly, that as he was preceded in his occupation, so was he succeeded by the Hyæna." He then gave a brief summary of the organic remains found, comprising upwards of 1000 bones, 1016 teeth, and 15 jaws, belonging to

Rhinoceros hemitachus may perhaps refer the date of the cave back to the earlier part of the rewer Pliocene. At all events this is the second instance known of this associate of Elephas antiquus being found together with traces of man.

On Specimens of Flint Instruments from North Devon.
By the Rev. J. DINGLE.

On Flint Instruments from Hoxne. By Mr. DOUGHTY.

On the Geology of Burren, Co. Clare. By F. J. Fooт, M.A., G.S.I. This district is composed of the beds of the upper portion of the Carboniferous Limestone, capped on the S. W. by the basal shales of the Coal-measures. Contrary to what is usually the case, the limestone rises into hills upwards of 1000 feet above the sea, and the sides of these are a step-like succession of steep cliffs or bluffs, with broad, flat terraces of bare rock at their feet; these lines of cliff are accurately laid down on the map, and are often traceable for many miles. Excepting in the valleys, where there are accumulations of drift (a mixture of limestone-gravel and the débris of granite), the district is almost entirely uncovered by soil, and the singular form of the hills, together with their barrenness, imparts a most peculiar aspect to this part of Ireland. The strata are nearly horizontal, but have a general dip to the S. of about 1° 30'. This dip prevents the lines on the map being actual contours. The limestone varies in colour from pale to dark grey, and in texture is either compact or crystalline. It contains locally, Corals, Productæ, Crinoids, Nautili, Spirifeiæ, &c. In many places it is highly magnesian, and there are some good Dolomites, as well as bands of Chert. It is traversed by several sets of joints, which cut up the rock into numerous prisms of various sizes and forms; and the extensive flat surfaces have somewhat the appearance of that of a glacier; an accurate plan of a portion of one of these surfaces was also exhibited. This remarkable tract of country has altogether an area of about 250 square miles.

On some Models of Foraminifera. By Dr. FRITSCH.

On the Skiddaw Slate Series. By Professor HARKNESS, F.R.S., F.G.S. The Skiddaw slates of Professor Sedgwick form the lowest of the sedimentary rocks of the North of England. They are overlaid by a thick series of greenish-grey rocks, which, for the most part, consist of porphyries and ashes; these latter have been succeeded by the Coniston limestone of Professor Sedgwick, the equivalent of the Bala limestone.

The sequence of the Skiddaw slates is well shown in the hills which lie west of Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater Lakes. In this portion of Cumberland, these slaty strata, with their associated flaggy beds, are seen at Newlands, passing under

the superior greenish-grey rocks. A section from this place northwards to Sunderland, where the Carboniferous deposits of West Cumberland make their appearance, shows two well-marked anticlinals; and in several localities in this section fossils occur. These consist of Graptolites and a branching Bryozoon; of the former, the genera appertain to Graptolites, Diplograpsus, Didymograpsus, Dichograpsus, and Tetragrapsus. A new form of phyllopod Crustacean is also found in several localities in the course of this section. The fossils of the Skiddaw slates are met with only in the flaggy beds; but whenever rocks of this nature occur, they afford fossils.

A section from Matterdale, on the N. side of Ullswater, across the Skiddaw slates to the Carboniferous strata lying N. of Caldbeck-fells, also affords fossils. That section does not, however, exhibit the same arrangement of the strata. The inclinations in this part of the Skiddaw slate of Cumberland are for the most part S.S.E., and no well-developed axis occurs in this section. This portion of the Skiddaw-slate area is intersected in the valley of the Caldew by granite-the Skiddaw Forest granite of Professor Sedgwick. The results of the author's observations on this granite of the valley of the Caldew induce him to infer that it is an extension W.S.W. of the syenite forming the northern half on Carrock-fell.

Three small areas of Skiddaw slate are found on the eastern margin of the Lake district. One of these is on the S.E. side of Ullswater, and is intersected by a stream called Eggbeck. The other occurs near Rossgill; and the third at Thornshipgill, a short distance west of Shap. In the two latter slate-pencil quarries were formerly worked. In these three areas the author has also met with fossils similar to some of those which have been obtained in the area west of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lakes.

Another area occupied by Skiddaw slate is Blackcomb, in the S.W. of Cumberland. In this hill the inclinations are N.N.W.; and along the Whicham valley, on the south flank of Blackcomb, a great fault, previously alluded to by Professor Sedgwick, occurs. The Skiddaw slates of Blackcomb also yield fossils.

With reference to the position of the Skiddaw slates, the author is induced to infer that they appertain to the Lower Llandeilo; and this conclusion is still further corroborated by Mr. Salter, who, from an examination of the fossils, is led to infer the Lower Llandeilo age of the Skiddaw slate series.

Notice of an Ancient Sea-bed and Beach near Fort William, Inverness-shire. By J. GWYN JEFFREYS, F.R.S., F.G.S.

After making some remarks on the subject of raised beaches and their number in this country, as well as with respect to the Arctic nature of the shells which had been found in the Clyde beds, as well as in Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Norfolk, and other counties, Mr. Jeffreys described some deposits to which his attention had been drawn by Captain Bedford, R.N., and which consisted of an ancient sea-bed and beach lying in juxtaposition to each other. The bed is lowermost, and contains species which usually inhabit a moderate depth of water: the beach appears to have been formed after the bed was upheaved, because it contains littoral species and shells which must have been thrown up by the tide. The organic remains found in the bed and beach represent fifty-nine species, including forty-eight of Mollusca, The analogy between these deposits on the one hand, and the Coralline and Red Crag on the other, was pointed out; but their paleontological contents being of a different kind, the Inverness-shire and Crag deposits were in all probability not contemporaneous. The now-described deposits underlie several other strata, which may belong to the Boulder-clay formation; but this last is a doubtful point. Nearly all the species of Mollusca met with on the present occasion live in the adjacent seas; but a few of them (e. g. Pecten Islandicus, Columbella Holböllii, Littorina squalida, Mangelia pyramidalis, Margarita costulata, Natica clausa, and Trophon Gunneri) now exist only in more northern latitudes. Mr. Jeffreys, however, regards this assemblage of shells as Scandinavian, and not as Arctic. A Table of species was appended to the paper, showing the proportion which inhabits the Arctic, Scandinavian, and Scotch seas, as well as of those which occur in a fossil state in the Crag, Clyde beds, and Kelsey Hill (or Yorkshire) deposits.