18 
.discovery did not cease when either DE LA BecHE, MuRCHISON, or SEDGWICK 
rested from their labours ; and it needs no prophet to foretell that in days 
to come others will \ 
“¢ Rise on the stepping-stones of our dead selves 
To higher things. 
979 
After some remarks by the President and others, the Rev. 
Dr Smyrtue proceeded to offer some observations on the “ Hozoon 
Canadense.”’ 
This fossil which, by its name, assumes to be the 
representative of the first ‘dawn of life” upon the earth, has 
given rise to much discussion and diversity of opinion. It was 
first claimed as a living organism by Professor Dawson, of 
Montreal, and his views were strongly maintained by the late 
Dr Carrenter; while on the other hand its organic nature 
has been denied by many scientists both in this country and 
on the Continent of Europe. Sections of the fossil were 
exhibited on glass slides, and a very pretty section was 
produced by Mr Lones, in which the soft parts had been dis- 
solved away by hydrochloric acid, which showed the structure 
admirably. This substance, which is supposed to have formed 
great masses on the floor of the Archean Sea, is of a greenish 
colour, resembling Serpentine, and is permeated by layers of 
Calcite. Professor Harker and others took part in the discus- 
sion which followed, from which it may be deduced that there 
is much to be said on both sides, but the preponderating view 
would seem to favour the animal origin of Hozoon. 
THE FOURTH WINTER MEETING 
of the Club was held at 
GLOUCESTER, 
on Tuesday, 30th March, when a paper was read by Mr J. H. 
Taunton, C.E., F.G.8., on the “ Hydrology of the Cotteswolds, 
and of the Swindon district.” In this paper the area which 
constitutes the basin of the Upper Thames at Lechlade was 
first considered, then remarks were made on the river Frome 
and its tributaries above Stonehouse, also on the river Chelt 
above Dowdeswell Mill, near Cheltenham, both flowing towards 
the river Severn. The author has taken at different times 
