130 



suddenly introduced to the earliest types of Crustacean life, 

 not, as might be expected, in its most embryonic and least 

 developed form, but to a giant of its race— the grand Trilobite 

 " Paradoxides " — measuring more than 18 inches in length, and 

 this side by side with the minute and eyeless « Agnostus," which 

 when first found in the " black shales " of Malvern, was supposed 

 to indicate, by the rudeness and imperfection of its structure, 

 the dawn of a new form of life. 



These, and many other points bearing upon the question of 

 the beginning of life on our earth, and their relation to 

 philosoj)hy and religion, were touched on with fervour and 

 eloquence by Dr. Wkight, who seconded the President's vote of 

 thanks to Mr. Eth bridge, for a paper of no ordinary interest 

 and value. 



The first Field Meeting for the season was held at 



NEWENT, 



on Tuesday, the 14th May, with a view to the examination of 

 the Newent Coal-field. At this locality the coal crops out at the 

 surface, and has not unnaturally led to the belief that by 

 following up the indications thus given, large fortunes may be 

 realised. Iron, too, is yielded by beds in the immediate neigh- 

 bourhood, which hold out promises of wealth to be derived from 

 the extraction of that mineral. But in both these cases it is 

 probable, from geological reasons, that the prospects thus held 

 out are delusive. It was with a view, therefore, of bringing the 

 eyes and the knowledge of geologists to bear upon the problems 

 there presented, that the first Field Meeting of the Club for 

 the season was appointed to take place at Newent. The day 

 was fine and bright, and the drive delightful, over a beautiful 

 country, to which the fresh livery of Spring imparted the 

 additional charm of colour. Passing through ISTewent, the party 

 proceeded about two miles on the Dymock road until they 

 reached the foot of an artificial mound known as the " Castle 

 Tump," where they descended from their carriage, and from 

 that point pursued their journey on foot. 



