On the Belations of Granite. 407 



" The consideration of this fact led to some statements upon the 

 mode and form in uhich some essential oils, and other active prin- 

 ciples, exist in the leaves of plants; and the conclusion was drawn, 

 that in all probability many active principles, which are separated 

 from plants by simple processes, do not exi.>t ready formed in the 

 leaves; but, as in the familiar case of the mustard-seed and bitter 

 almond, are only developed when the structure of the leaves ia 

 broken up, and principles of a different kind, secreted in distinct 

 cells, are brouglit in contact with one anotiier, or with water. 



" The remaining departments of the investigation were postpon- 

 ed; but further observations were promised, upon the influence of 

 the progress of vegetation on the Solanaceoiis and Umbelliferous 

 plants; and likewise on the effects of soil and climate." 



2. A Specimen of Clavagella Balanorum (Scacchi), presented 

 by Sir Thomas Brisbane, Bart., President of the Society, 

 was laid on the table, and described by Dr Traill. 



Proceedings of the JFernerian Natural History Society. 

 (Continued from p. 200.) 



Dec. 7. 1839. — Dr R. K. Greville, Vice-President, in the 

 Chair. Mr R. Hay Cunningham read a paper on the relations 

 of Granite to Stratified Masses, and its analogy to Trap. 



After a sliort introduction, in which the author of tin's paper stated the 

 commonly received opinion in reg^ard to granite^ this being' one which 

 viewed it as of an igneous origin, aad that it had produced violent chnnges 

 in the stratal position of rocks, he remarked, that it was the latter state- 

 ment only which he was then to examine. The principal phenomena 

 which had produced the belief that granite had effected motion, was af- 

 firmed to be, first, " That granite, as trap, occurred in veins invading stra- 

 ta ;" and, secondly, " That, as in the case of trap rocks, angular masses 

 of contiguous strata appeared imbedded in granite." Having made these 

 remarks, Mr Cunningham said, that he would first examine the position 

 of strata on the great scale to granite mountains, and subsequently con- 

 sider the more minute connexion of such rocks with each other. In regard 

 to the position of strata in their great features, the author observed, tliat 

 he had not found these to exhibit more evident marks of derangement 

 when near granite than when at a distance from it. He enumerated 

 many granitic districts in Scotland wliich he had examined (among which 

 were those of the Grampians, of Galloway, Dumfriesshire, BanfTshire, 

 Aberdeen^ Arran, and the Hebrides) with the view of eatisfying himaelf 



