Science progress; 



No. 19. September, 1895. Vol. IV. 



PROGRESS IN THE STUDY OF THE 

 ANCIENT SEDIMENTS. 



IN the latter half of the year 1894, considerable additions 

 were made to our knowledge of the ancient sediments, 

 both at home and abroad, though no authenticated discovery 

 of exceptional importance was announced. Somewhat sen 

 sational announcements appeared during that time, but the 

 results of greatest value are due to steady work at points of 

 detail, for these results are not given to the world until 

 they have received ample confirmation at the hands of the 

 workers. It is pleasing to find that British geologists have 

 done their full share in carrying on work of this nature, so 

 that year by year the " records of the rocks," both at home 

 and abroad, become appreciably less imperfect. 



Taking into account, in the first place, treatises which 

 appeared during the second half of last year, which throw 

 new light on more than one of the great divisions of the 

 older rocks, we may notice at the outset the very important 

 results obtained by various members of her Majesty's 

 Geological Survey as recorded in the official report (1). 

 It is there announced that the Torridonian rocks, previously 

 proved by the surveyors to be of Precambrian age, are 

 divisible into four groups, as follows in descending order : — 



4. Cailleach Head Group, 1000-1500 feet sandstones, 

 flags, shales, and calcareous bands. 



3. Aultbea Group, 2000-3000 feet chocolate and red 

 sandstones, flags, and shaley partings. 



