272 Progress in Science. (April, 
shore-ice, so he thought it possible that some action of the same kind might 
—during a portion of the New Red Sandstone period—have drifted materials 
off from the French shore of the Triassic lake, and deposited them in this” 
shingle-bed at Budleigh-Salterton. 
Dr. H. A. Nicholson has for some time been engaged in collecting and 
studying the organic remains of the Corniferous limestone and Hamilton 
formation of the western portion of the province of Ontario, which are consi-— 
dered to be of Devonian age. These deposits are richly fossiliferous: the 
total number of species comprised in his colletions amounts to about 160 or 
170, of which between 30 and 4o are apparently new. Of this number no 
less than 75 are corals, about 40 are Brachiopods, and the remainder are dis- 
tributed amongst the Polyzoa, Gasteropoda, Lamellibranchiata, Annelida, 
Trilobita, and Crinoidea. 
Diamonds in South Africa.—The occurrence of diamonds in South Africa 
has during the past few years attracted a considerable amount of public 
attention. Mr.E. J. Dunn observes that they occur in peculiar circular areas, 
which he regards as “ pipes,’ which formerly constituted the connection 
between molten matter below and surface volcanoes. The surrounding 
country consists of horizontal shales, through which these pipes ascend nearly 
vertically, bending upwards the edges of the shales at the contaé. Mr. Dunn 
is of opinion that the rock of the pipes was only instrumental in bringing the 
diamonds to the surface, a large proportion of them being found in a frag- 
mentary state. Prof. Tennant has stated that during the month of November, — 
1873, no less than £100,000 worth of diamonds were brought from South 
Africa by three persons. At present about twenty thousand persons are 
employed in the diamond-fields, and he considers the stones equal to anyin the 
world. 
Sub-Wealden Exploration.—In regard to the progress of this boring, Mr. 
Henry Willett reports (Feb. 12) that the new contractors (the Diamond Rock- 
Boring Company) are putting forth great energy and skill in the prosecution — 
of their enterprise, so as to make him very sanguine that nothing but wan 
of money will prevent the exploration being extended, if found necessary, to 
2000 feet. A depth of 350 feet has now been reached, and the rock there 
obtained is still Kimeridge clay. We understand that Mr. W. Topley, of the 
Geological Survey of England, is now resident near the spot where the boring 
is being made, to examine the specimens as they are brought to the surface. 
Proposed Channel Tunnel.—Mr. Prestwich has lately reviewed the geological 
conditions affecting the construction of a tunnel between France and 
England, which subje&, it will be remembered, was discussed not long ag 
by Mr. Topley in the “Quarterly Journal of Science.” Mr. Prestwich 
pointed out the geological features of all the strata between Harwich 
on the one side, and between Ostend and St. Valery on the other side of the 
Channel, and stated his opinion that the most feasible plan, and one that 
would be perfectly pra&ticable, so far as safety from an influx of sea-water 
was concerned, was to drive a tunnel through the Paleozoic rocks under the 
Channel between Blanc Nez and Dover. 
Geological Society of London.—At the anniversary meeting of the Geological 
Society, held on February 20th, the Duke of Argyll announced the award of 
the Wollaston Gold Medal to Professor Heer, of Zurich, in acknowledgmen 
of his extensive researches in fossil botany and entomology. The balance of 
the proceeds of the Wollaston Donation Fund was given to Dr. H. Nyst, 0 
Brussels, in recognition of his admirable researches upon the Molluscan and 
other fossil remains of his native country. The Murchison Medal wa 
awarded to Dr. Bigsley in recognition of his long and valuable labours im 
that department of geology and paleontology with which the name of 
Murchison is more particularly connected. The balance of the proceeds of 
the Murchison Geological Fund was divided between Mr. Ralph Tate and 
Mr. Alfred Bell as a testimony of the value set by the Society upon thei 
paleontological researches. John Evans, Esq., F.R.S., &c., was elected 4 
President for the ensuing year. 
