105 



sculptures through exposure to the weather, and expressed a hope 

 that they would be placed under cover either at the Institution or 

 elsewhere. 



The fourth and concluding afternoon meeting for the session 

 took place on Wednesday, February 10th, at the Institution, when 

 Mr. McMuRTRlE, of Eadstock, communicated some notes on the 

 occurrence of Salt Springs in the Coal Measures at Radstock (vide 

 page 84). He said it was an unusual thing for Salt Springs to 

 be found in an inland coal pit. Recently, however, whilst extend- 

 ing the shaft of the "middle pit," not far from the Market Place 

 at Eadstock, three different springs of salt water had been met 

 with — 1,110, 1,142, 1,450 feet, respectively, below sea level. The 

 geological features of the locality were described, and the import- 

 ant fact alluded to that coal had been found at the depth of 1,791 

 feet, the boring having been carried still further to a depth of 

 1,846 feet. From an analysis of the water it was shown that 

 with the exception of its temperature and extreme saltness, its 

 constituents were not dissimilar to the Eath waters. Whence, 

 however, came the sodium ? The stratum of New Eed lying on 

 top of the shaft, and which generally was associated with Eock 

 Salt, Mr. McMurtrie said had no trace of Salt crystals in it. 

 Was the salt then derived from the Channel, 21 miles distant at 

 the nearest point ? He thought this a possible solution, though 

 it had its diflBlculties. 



Questions were asked respecting the temperature of the water, 

 and suggestions made that observations should be taken to 

 ascertain whether any variation had taken place. 



The Secretary thought that the source of the Salt Springs 

 might be situated in the New Eed beds, cropping up to the surface 

 at some distance off, and at a higher level. 



Mr. Skrine, who was in the chair, thanked Mr. McMurtrie for 

 his instructive paper. 



The next communication was from the Eev. H. H. Win WOOD 

 on the fossil Mammalia of the district (vide page 95). Since 



