it PROCEEDINGS. 
James Barnes, Esq., B. A., Dalhousie College, read a paper “ On 
the Depression of the Freezing-point by Mixtures of Electrolytes.” (See. 
Transactions, p. 139.) 
The paper was discussed by Drs. MacGrecor and MacKay, anda 
vote of thanks was presented to the author. 
Dr. A. H. Mackay, exhibited, with comments, material taken from 
the bottom of the Atlantic at four different points, by the Cable 8. S. 
Minia in charge of Captain De Carteret, by whom the specimens were 
presented. 
1. From tat. 40° 47° N., long. 38° 45° W., at a depth of 2544 
fathoms, in June, 1899 :— 
a. A fragment of a dark igneous rock about 13x$x5°, not very 
unlike some massive, dark green traps of Nova Scotia. The Cable was 
hooked at the same time, but broke and slipped over the stone which 
was abraded in two separate places. The exact determination of the 
ruck, as well as the other specimens, had to be postponed to a future 
opportunity after which the results of their special examinations would 
be communicated. 
6. A fragment of gneiss or granite with dark, fine-grained mica, 
about a centimeter cube, in 
ce. Mud, which on an average of three samples gave 72 per cent 
insoluble in nitric acid, leaving 28 per cent for carbonate of lime in 
foraminiferal shells, and any other soluble matter which might be 
present. The species of foraminifera present were left for future 
enumeration. The mud was, therefore, about three-quarters derived 
from decomposed rock, and contained specks of mica flakes among the 
minute sand grains also found in it. 
2. From lat. 49° 30'N., lon. 49° 36° W., at a depth of 2594 
fathoms, were taken on the 3rd July, 1894:— 
a. A fragment of rock about 8x4x3°™. It was a very compact, 
fine-grained, dark (with a band of light grey) chocolate quartzose felsite 
in appearance, breaking with a conchoidal fracture, a portion of one 
side looking as even as if it were ground plane. The light grey band on 
the opposite side suggested discoloration by weathering, and the con- 
choidal fracture in this portion was much rougher in its surface texture. 
b. A fragment of a water-worn, whitish, cryptocrystalline quartzite 
pebble about 3° in its three dimensions. 
c. Mud with small pebbles, containing what suggested the remains 
of a ceelenterate animal with slender stem, cylindrical body a few 
