42 REPORT — 1844. 



GEOLOGY AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



On a newly-discovered Species of Unio, from the Wealden Strata of the Isle 



of Wight. By G. A. Manteli., LL.D, F.R.S. 

 This species, believed by the author to be newly discovered, and named by him U. 

 valdeiisis, was obtained from the Wealden strata near Brook, associated with bones of 

 the Iguanodon and other reptiles, on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight ; several 

 specimens were found, all of them more nearly resembling the massive and pearly 

 shells of the same genus occurring in the Ohio and Mississippi rivers than any hitherto 

 observed in a fossil state ; and this resemblance is so close that it is considered an ad- 

 ditional corroboration of an opinion formerly expressed by the author, namely, that a 

 large proportion of the Wealden deposits must be considered as entirely of fluviatile 

 origin, and not as the accumulated debris of an estuary. 



Dr. Manteli states that the shells of the genus Utuo, hitherto known as Wealden, 

 are few and of small size, the largest not being more than two inches in length, and 

 delicate, while the species now described is from five to six inches long, and so thick 

 and massive, that a pair of valves cleared from all extraneous matter weighs above 

 eleven ounces. These shells are in a fine state of preservation, the ligament, and even 

 a portion of the original colour remaining. The author added a full description, refer- 

 ring to finished drawings of the shells. 



On Mining Records, and the Mea7is by which their Preservation may be best 

 ensured. By Professor Ansted, M.A., F.B.S. 



The author first alluded to a previous communication on this subject made by Mr. 

 Sopwith in 1838, and the subsequent establishment of the Mining llecords Ofiice, 

 but stated that such means were insufficient, and that regulations required to be made 

 and enforced by the authority of parliament. The object of the paper was, first, to 

 direct attention to the extent to which the mining interests of England would be pro- 

 moted by the establishment of a system of mining records; secondly, to show that 

 parliamentary interference is imperatively called for, if any satisfactory result is to be 

 attained ; and thirdly, that the efforts of the British Association would probably be 

 successful if proper means are taken, whether by suggestions to government, or by 

 pressing on pubhc attention the importance of the subject, and inducing the govern- 

 ment to set on foot the necessary inquiries. 



In reference to the first object, the author adverted to the benefits to be expected 

 from the possession of a system of mining records, both with reference to the miner 

 directly, enabling him to avoid danger and certain disappointment, and still more in 

 the application of pure geology to mining. This latter is indeed chiefly difficult and 

 doubtful, because the observations recorded are, compared with what they should be, 

 so few, imperfect and unsatisfactory, since the phaeiiomena relative to the appearance, 

 direction and condition of mineral veins have been till lately almost entirely neglected 

 in England. 



With regard to the extent to which these records are required, they are simply the 

 accounts of observations which everyone entrusted with the management of mining 

 property ought to be familiar with, in order that the proprietor may know how much 

 mineral produce is abstracted from the bowels of the earth, and the position of that 

 which is left. They are therefore necessarily made, and only require to be recorded. 



The author then mentioned the different ways in which such records would be 

 useful ; among which he particularized the drainage of mines, and the being able 

 to avoid occasional dishonesty, eSected by wilfully causing the drainage of the mines 

 of one proprietor to flow into those of another at a greater depth. Other kinds of dis- 

 honesty, more direct than this, are also sometimes perpetrated, owing to the impos- 

 sibility of watching the under-ground progress of a miner suspected of dishonesty, at 

 least without the expenditure of so much time and money as to render it unadvisable. 



But besides these acts of dishonesty, many serious encroachments of property have 

 been made, and expensive litigation has arisen, from the ignorance of the persons 

 employed in under-ground works; and with respect to these, and also to future 



