235 
to the proprietor lies in the fact that it has revealed the exist- 
_ ence of from six to eight millions of tons of coal in his mineral 
_ estate which he had no expectation of having. 
The explanation of these facts is this—that there has been 
in the past history of this district a time when the whole of 
_ the Paleozoic strata, including the coal-measures, have been 
_ pushed by a force, exerted on the south, bodily over the 
top of the coal-field of the district. Mr Hanpex Cossnam 
j believed that the centre or focus of the force which has thus 
_ thrust a portion of the coal-field over itself is to be sought in 
the up-thrust of the Mendips after the deposition of the coal- 
‘Measures, and prior to the deposition of the secondary rocks, 
_by which the whole country to the north, and possibly to the 
‘south, was thrust forward. Mr Cossnam concluded his very 
Pr nteresting paper, illustrated by maps and sections, by a 
reference to the important bearing which this discovery has 
‘upon the mining industry of the district, an industry which is 
so intimately associated with the future of our country. 
Mr R. Erneriver, F.R.S., in reply to the toast of his 
health, which was very cordially received, made some remarks 
‘upon the more salient points of Mr CossHam’s paper, in the 
importance of which and of Mr Cossnam’s splendid discovery, 
he entirely concurred. P 
The health was likewise drunk, and very warmly received, 
of the President, of their munificent entertainer, Mr CossHam, 
and of Admiral Ciosz, after which the party separated and 
dispersed to their different destinations. 
THE FIRST WINTER MEETING 
C. Lucy, F.G.8., on “The Sutton Southerndown and 
Dunraven Beds, in Glamorganshire,” and by Mr E. Wircue tz, 
FG .S., on “The Forest Marble and Great Oolite between 
Nailsworth and Wotton-under-Edge.” 
