Proceedings. Xi. 
much. Mr. Whitaker maintained that in all probability there 
had been a reversed fault ; but he (Mr. Turner) could not see 
how a reversed fault could have taken place in a locality like 
this, and he expressed an opinion that the confusion of strata 
was due to a subsidence, and not a reversed fault. Under any 
circumstances, he considered that great benefits would result 
from the discovery and record of phenomena such as this. 
The PRESIDENT expressed his approval of the idea of a 
geological sub-committee being formed for dealing with these 
subjects similar to the botanical sub-committee, and said he 
should take care that this was brought under the notice of the 
committee. He congratulated Mr. Chisholm on the artistic 
and most satisfactory manner in which he had explained some 
of the differences in the strata of the neighbourhood, and 
referred to the fact that the same kind of fossils which Mr. 
Turner had brought from a distance were to be found at 
Selhurst, at Duppas Hill, and on the site of the present Gas 
Works. In explanation of the confusion and irregularity of 
the strata, he expressed his belief that it could be accounted 
for by denudation, adducing in support of his argument the 
immense displacement of chalk from the hills by the action of 
rain in the course of many thousands and perhaps millions of 
years. For every seven gallons of rainfall each year, one 
pound of chalk was removed. During that long period the 
chalk had been gradually washed out, and the subsidence thus 
occasioned had probably led to the confusion of strata. He 
had never seen it accounted for in this way ; but he thought it 
was a point worthy of consideration. 
Mr. J. FLower read a paper on a portion of the trunk of a 
horse chestnut tree, which he had exhibited at the soiree, and 
in which an iron chain had become imbedded. (Vide p. 5.) 
The PRESIDENT reminded the members that a short time 
since he had exhibited a portion of an arbor vitce tree, which 
had a piece of tarred string tied tightly round it. The effect of 
this, however, was different to that of the chain on the horse 
chestnut tree, inasmuch as an abnormal growth was produced 
above the string, and there was no unusual growth below it. 
The following were exhibitors :—Mr. J. W. Chisholm, col- 
lection of fossils from Park Hill; Mr. H. Turner, fossils ; Mr. 
H. M. Klaassen, fossil oysters from Park Hill; Mr. E. Lovett, 
specimens of rocks composing the earth’s crust (arranged accord- 
ing to strata); Mr. E. Gill, xanthidia in flint; Mr. J. S. 
Johnson, section of fern in coal; Mr. S. Overton, head of 
blowfly, mounted without pressure. 
