44 



by the action of carbonated water, and of the slow subsidence of 

 superincumbent strata into the pipe, illustrating his remarks by coloured 

 diagrams and enlarged photographs taken by himself in this district. 

 Professor Prestwich's theory to account for the greater proportionate 

 increase in length than in breadth of a sandpipe was detailed, and the 

 Author suggested a possible method by which "fissure-pipes," as he 

 termed them, might be formed, and he exhibited enlarged photographs of 

 the Lenham pipes in view of his suggestion. After contrasting the forma- 

 tion and structure of sandpipes with those of swallow-holes, the Author 

 went on to point out the geological value of sandpipes as often preserving 

 remnants of strata, the principal parts of which have been removed by 

 denudation. Passing to the special case of the classical Lenham pipes he 

 detailed the controversy which had taken place over the age of the strata 

 preserved in these pipes, and described their appearance and contents at 

 his many visits ; specimens of the fossiliferous ironstone were exhibited, 

 and lists of the species determined from casts by Messrs. Searles Wood, 

 Clement Reid, &c., were given. The Author then described the Diestian 

 beds of Antwerp, and after pointing oiit the various interesting prob- 

 lems which arose if these Lenham beds were early Pliocene or 

 of Mio-pliocene (Diestian) age, he concluded that, whereas it seemed 

 fairly well settled that the fauna of the Lenham sandstones must be 

 classified as of early Pliocene or of Miocene age, it did not at all follow 

 that all the un-fossiliferous sands and sandstones of doubtful age which 

 occur in patches on the Downs are to be so classified ; but that in all 

 probability some of them were of Eocene while others were of Mio- 

 pliocene age. 



XI. 



OUR BATS. 

 Abstract of JPaper 



READ BY 



Mr. GEORGE DOWKER, F.G.S., 

 November 19, 1890. 



Mr. Dowker, in this paper, furnished some observations he had] 

 made during the past few years upon the habits of the different species of j 

 Bats he had met with at Stourmouth and neighbourhood. 



He prefaced his remarks by giving some anatomical peculiarities of | 

 the British Cheiroptera, more especially referring to the great develop- 

 ment of the digits ; comparing the bones of the Bat's wing with those ofl 

 birds and the pterodactyles, and their skulls with those of the Insectivora ;| 



