556 Zoological Proceedings of Societies, 



be easily recognized. That this cannot be done, even at com- 

 paratively short distances, it is the object of this communication 

 to prove, by examples derived from the cliffs at Lyme Regis, in 

 Dorsetshire, and Beer, in Devonshire ; detailed sections of which 

 are given, and the succession of the strata, and the organic remains 

 which they contain, fully described. The author first treats of the 

 chalk, and the sands and sandstone, usually called green sand, as 

 they occur between Lyme Regis and Exmouth ; and then notices 

 the same formations as they are exhibited in the vicinity of Beer. 



From this examination it appears, that though there is a great 

 correspondence in the organic remains, considerable changes take 

 place in the mineral composition and characters of the beds both 

 of chalk and underlying sands, in short distances. Mr. De la Beche 

 considers it probable that the Beer-stone is the equivalent of the 

 Malm-rock of Western Sussex. 



A paper was also read, entitled, " Geological Sketch of Part 

 of the West of Sussex, and the N. E. of Hants, &c. ; by R. I. 

 Murchison, Esq. F.G.S., &c." 



In this memoir, Mr. Murchison describes the geological rela- 

 tions, distribution, and characteristic fossils of the strata of that 

 part of the west of Sussex, which is bounded on the south by the 

 chalk escarpment of the South Downs ; and of that part of Hamp- 

 shire which is included by the Alton Chalk Hills. These strata, 

 commencing below the chalk, in a descending series, are, 1. Malm- 

 rock, or Upper Green Sand ; 2. Gault ; 3. Ferruginous Green 

 Sand ; 4. Weald Clay. The Weald clay in the valley of Harting 

 Combe may be regarded as the central nucleus of this district, 

 mantling round which, and extending up to either chalk range, 

 the other formations are developed, in regular succession : the 

 breadth and boundaries of each are laid down by the author on a 

 coloured portion of the Ordnance map, to which a section is 

 annexed. 



The malm-rock of Western Sussex is identical with the stone 

 of Merstham : it is characterized by constituting terraces which 

 afford a. rich soil favourable to wheat. It sometimes furnish<;s a 

 building stone, contains occasionally a calcareous blue chert, and 

 abounds in organic remains. 



