TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 51 



Gottenburg and Norway), we lind at eighty fathoms, species which, in Finmark (on 

 the north), may be readily collected at twenty, and on the last-named coast, some spe- 

 cies even ascend into the littoral region, which, with us here in the south, keep within 

 ten to eleven fathoms." 



These researches were undertaken simultaneously with those of Professor Forbes, 

 and these authors arrived at similar results quite independent of each other. 



On an Anomalous Structure in the Paddle of a Species of Ichthyosaurus. 

 By H. E. Strickland, M.A., F.G.S. 



The anomaly of structure described in this communication, consisted of an additional 

 bone between the radius and ulna of the anterior extremity of an Ichthyosaurus. Two 

 specimens had been found having this peculiarity, and it was suggested that it might 

 indicate a specific peculiarity. In both the specimens the humerus was succeeded by 

 three nearly equal-sized bones, and these by the usual irregular paddle-bones repre- 

 senting the metacarpals, the carpals, and the phalanges. 



Queries and Statements concerning a Nail found imbedded in a Block of Sand- 

 stone obtained from Kingoodie (^Mylnfield) Quarrt/, North Britain. Com- 

 municated by Sir David Brewster. 



This communication, drawn up by Mr. Buist, consisted of a series of queries, with 

 the answers that had been returned by different persons connected with the quarry, 

 the inquiry being set on foot by persons present on the discovery of the nail or imme- 

 diately afterwards. The following is the substance of the investigation, 



1. The circumstance of the discovery of the nail in the block of stone. 



The stone in Kingoodie quarry consists of alternate layers of hard stone and a soft 

 clayey substance called " till;" the courses of stone varying from six inches to upwards 

 of six feet in thickness. The particular block in which the nail was found, was nine 

 inches thick, and in proceeding to clear the rough block for dressing, the point of the 

 nail was found projecting about half an inch (quite eaten with rust) into the "till," 

 the rest of the nail laying along the surface of the stone to within an inch of the head, 

 which went right down into the body of the stone. The nail was not discovered while 

 the stone remained in the quarry, but when the rough block (measuring two feet in 

 length, one in breadth, and nine inches in thickness) was being cleared of the super- 

 ficial "till," There is no evidence beyond the condition of the stone to prove what 

 part of the quarry this block may have come from. 



2. The condition of the quarry from which Ihe block of stone was obtained. 



The quarry itself (called the east quar'ry) has only been worked for about twenty 

 years, but an adjoining one (the west quarry) has been formerly very much worked, 

 and has given employment at one time to as many as 500 men. Very large blocks of 

 stone have at intervals been obtained from both. It is observed that the rough block 

 in which the nail was found must have been turned over and handled at least four 

 or five times in its journey to Inchyra, at which place it was put before masons for 

 working, and where the nail was discovered. 



On the Relative Age and True Position of the Millstone Grit and Shale, in 

 reference to the Carboniferous System of Stratified Rocks in the British 

 Pennine Chain of Hills. By J. Rooke. 



The object of this communication was to point out a supposed error in the order of 

 the strata as laid down by geologists, and to show that the error originated in the neg- 

 lect of a due consideration of what are called by the author the laws of a drifting 

 process. 



On the Toadsixmes of Derbyshire. By John Alsop. 



In this communication, which was intended to illustrate and explain certain sections 

 prepared by the author, allusion was made to recent mining speculations in Derbyshire, 

 in which the object has been to find a continuation of the mineral veins underneath 



e2 



