249 
Though several valuable contributions had been given on the 
geology of this district ; ¢.g., Messrs. Buckland and Conybeare’s 
observations on the S. W. coal district of England, and that on 
the Formation of the rocks of S. Wales and the S. W. of England 
by Sir Henry de la Beche—elaborate papers in their way and 
affording much help to Moore, as acknowledged by him—yet is 
must be allowed that to him it was given to work out the details 
of the sections as had not been done before. In this paper, 
giving his reasons for the abnormal character of the Secondary 
formations on the N. of the Mendips, he speaks of the difficulties 
attending the investigation of his subject and the length of time 
occupied ; corroborates Godwin-Austin’s view of an old land area 
near Frome, and shows that this may be looked for in the Mendip 
axis of elevation, by his discovery of Mammalia, Reptilia, and 
terrestrial Mollusca that once inhabited this land area in Rheetic 
and Liassic times. The barrier of land, thus interposed to the 
incursion of the waters of the Secondary seas, modified the 
physical features of the whole line of country between Frome and 
a portion of S. Wales, thus accounting for the extreme tenuity of 
the Secondary deposits to the N. of this barrier as compared with 
those on the S. With the one exception of the statement of his 
views as to the Basaltic dyke, this contribution will remain the 
best authority on the geology of a portion of England surpassed 
by none in geological interest ; and will serve as a mine of informa- 
tion* to many a future explorer of that particular district, as it 
has done to many a past one. This paper alone was sufficient to 
establish his reputation as one of the leading geologists of the day. 
The last paper contributed to the Geological Society was read 
in June, 1878, and published in Q. J. G. S., vol. xxxiv., p. 914, 
on the Palzontology and some of the Physical conditions of the 
Meux-well deposits. Remarking on the accuracy of Mr. Godwin- 
Austin’s theory that a ridge of Paleozoic rocks passes under the 
* See the details of the numerous sections. 
