PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. _ 265 



which, Mr. Pratt thinks, is equivalent to the coral rag formation, and does not 

 represent the Portland beds. Towards the mouth of the Toucque a deposit of 

 clay rises from beneath the calcareous layers, containing Gryphcea dilatata and 

 Ostrea gregarea, thus representing the Oxford clay. This forms the cliffs as far 

 as Dives, and is seen near the mouth of the Orne, overlying a calcareous oolitic 

 rock, commonly considered identical with the Cornbrash, but in fossil remains 

 bearing a much closer resemblance to the forest marble in the west of England. 

 They are immediately above two beds filled with fossils, among which are Tere- 

 bratula digona, T. plicata, Avicula incequivalvis, Apiocrinites rotundus, and hence 

 representing the Bradford clay. — The Caen freestone is usually considered to 

 represent the Great Oolite of the west of England, but the few fossils found in it 

 are similar to those of the Inferior Oolite. — Lias is distinctly traced some hun- 

 dred yards, forming the base of the cliffs near St. Honorine. — From Mr. Pratt's 

 account we gather, that nearly the whole of the strata found between the chalk 

 and the lias in England, occur on the coast of Normandy ; the Portland and 

 Purbeck beds, and the Kelloway rock, only, not being met with in that part of 

 France. 



A paper by Dr. Mitchell, F.G.S., was read, describing a well sunk at 

 Beaumont Green, on the premises of Mr. Munt, a magistrate for the county 

 (Hertford) ; in this well chalk was found at a depth of 126 feet ; a spring was 

 met with 40 feet lower, but the excavation was carried on 17 feet below the 

 spring, to form a reservoir. The most remarkable stratum in the section was 

 one 15 feet thick, formed of blue sand with black pebbles. In very wet weather 

 it emitted foul air in such quantities as to suffocate a well-digger in descending. 

 A Hawk, flying over the well, fell into it, and a similar fate befel smaller birds, 

 as well as Bees and Flies.* Dr. Mitchell has no doubt but the foul air was 

 sulphuretted hydrogen gas, formed by the decomposition of water and iron 

 pyrites. The country, for three or four miles round the well, is called the " foul 

 country" by the well-diggers. In dry weather no unpleasant smell was noticed. 

 The well has lately been bricked-up, in order to prevent the unpleasant odour 

 above alluded to. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



June 27- — Mr. Thomas Bell, F.R.S., in the chair. — Mr. Gray indicated the 

 sebaceous glandular structure in the tail of a species of Fox (Vulpasj^ and we 



* At least so says Dr. Mitchell, though we very much question the circumstance. It is im- 

 probable that insects would approach the contaminated spot, and at the distance above the well 

 at which Hawks and other birds would fly, we are at a loss to conceive how it could affect them 

 so powerfully. As far as we can judge, Dr. M. does not, in this instance, speak from personal 

 observation.— Ed. 



