154 NATURAL SCIENCE. March, 



The phosphate is often concretionary and stalagmitic, just like the 

 well-known phosphorites of Quercy. Like them, too, it contains, 

 especially in the upper part of the pockets, an abundance of bones 

 and teeth of vertebrates, belonging to the oldest Quaternary, or 

 perhaps to Pliocene times. These phosphates have recently been 

 studied by Mr. Charles Deperet, who has communicated his results 

 to the Academy of Sciences of Paris. 



Geology in France. 



The University of France appears to have dismissed geology 

 from its course of higher studies with some abruptness, although it is 

 true that the science is suffered to remain in the fourth class of 

 secondary instruction. This action has caused a vigorous and well- 

 merited protest to be issued by the Geological Society of France. 

 Obviously, it is ridiculous that a science which is, as it were, a 

 summary of all the others, should be taught to beginners and pro- 

 hibited to advanced students. To put the question on the lowest 

 grounds, it would be a sad day for any country when so eminently 

 practical a science were thrust into the hands of those who can have 

 only a rule-of-thumb knowledge of it. This science has over and over 

 again shown the enormous value of a thoroughly philosophical 

 training to all who would utilise their knowledge for their own or for 

 the public good. We venture to give our hearty support to the 

 French Geological Society, and to hope that its protest may be 

 speedily effectual. 



Madagascar Fossils. 



The February part of the Quarterly Journal of the Geological 

 Society contains a valuable paper by Mr. R. B. Newton, " On a 

 Collection of Fossils from Madagascar," which should interest readers 

 of the article on Madagascar in Natural Science for September, 

 1893. The chief interest of Mr. Newton's paper lies in the careful 

 and detailed account of previous work on Malagasy geology, which, 

 with its abundant references, cannot fail to be of considerable service 

 to all interested in the faunal riches of Madagascar. The specimens 

 described were collected by the Rev. R. Baron from the Tertiary and 

 Secondary formations in the north and north-west of the island. The 

 figures accompanying the paper show that the specimens are not so 

 perfect as might be wished, and it is to be hoped that future 

 collectors will discriminate when sending home such heavy material. 

 This imperfection is specially unfortunate in the case of the dino- 

 saurian remains sent to England by Mr. Last, and more recently 

 described by Mr. Lydekker before the Geological Society. The 

 remains give evidence of most interesting animals, but are so insuffi- 

 ciently preserved that little can be done with them. More careful 

 search would, no doubt, reveal further materials. 



