4 
by giving an astronomical view of the history of the earth. 
He combatted the idea of an original universal molten 
condition of our planet, alluding to the early and first traces 
of life in the lowest or Cambrian rocks ; and gave a brief 
review of Darwin’s theory of the origin of species by 
natural selection, to which he expressed himself decidedly 
opposed, and so passed on to other interesting geological 
facts and theories.** 
R. Greaves, Esq., proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. 
Symonds, which was seconded by J. S. Whittem, Esq. 
J. W. Kirshaw, Esq., then rose to request the Rev. P. B. 
Brodie to give a lecture on the succession of life on the 
ancient earth, It occupied an hour and a half, and it is 
impossible, in a brief sketch, to enter into all the interesting 
subjects of which it treated. It was an extempore discourse 
largely illustrated with numerous drawings, diagrams, and 
fossils, which fully illustrated the topics discussed. 
The Lecturer first pointed out the influence of climate on land and 
depth in the ocean on the distribution of life. All the great types of 
lite began simultaneously and independently. The life of the 
Paleozoic rocks was shown to be entirely marine, which was fullest 
in the Wenlock and Ludlow groups. Ferns and land plants first 
appear in the uppermost Ludlow zone. Ere the close of this epoch 
many forms of mollusks disappear, and were succeeded by other 
new and representative forms, to which ample allusion was made in the 
succeeding formations up to the newest Tertiary. The structure of the 
singular placoid and ganoid fish was pointed out, especially those of 
the Old Red Sandstone; the cycloid and ctenoid orders commenced 
with the chalk, The thirteen orders of reptiles, five of which are both 
recent and fossil, were largely dwelt upon, and traced upwards from 
their first appearance in the carboniferous series to their gradual 
extinction upwards. The structure and nature of the Salamander-like 
labyrinthodon was especially referred to, because the Warwick Museum 
* The Hon. Sec. regrets that he cannot insert the Address of the Rev. W. Symonds, 
as the author has lost his M.M.S., but should it be found hereafter, he hopes it may 
be printed and circulated amongst the Members. 
