Geology and Geography. S89 



M. Agassiz had already demonstrated the value of fossil fishes, 

 in marking with precision the age of the rocks in which they 

 are found, showed how ahly the Professor had illustrated the 

 difi'erent genera and species of fishes in the old red sandstone. 

 Mr M. then passed a warm eulogium on the labours of M. 

 Agassiz, which he characterized as almost unparalleled ; and 

 stated that the Professor had just completed a long journey 

 from Neufchatel, by Munich, to be able to procure the illustra- 

 tions of his last fasciculi, which were now laid upon the table. 

 He congratulated geologists on having the merit of being the 

 first to induce M. Agassiz to visit England, by awarding to him 

 the Wollaston medal ; and he still more congratulated the meet- 

 ing upon the satisfaction they must experience in witnessing the 

 valuable results of the judicious grant of money which iiad been 

 specially allotted to M. Agassiz at Edinburgh, to enable him to 

 illustrate British fossil ichthyology. 



11. Dr Traill read a sketch of the physical geography and 

 geology of Spain, founded on his own observations made during 

 a tour in that country. He confined his remarks chiefly to the 

 province of Andalusia. In this interesting country we have 

 every variety of rock, from the oldest primitive up to the ter- 

 tiary strata. The mica slate of Andalusia contains many inte- 

 resting minerals, as iron glance, and lead ore. This last mine- 

 ral is so abundant, that no less than 35,600 tons were extracted 

 in one year. The primitive rocks are succeeded by secondary 

 limestones, in whose fissures interesting osseous remains occur. 

 These limestones extend to the opposite coasts of Africa. This 

 limestone is followed bv new red sandstone, gypsum, and marl, 

 abounding in salt and saline springs. Oolite rocks occur near 

 the ancient town of Cartua; and chalk, with flints, is observed 

 at Labriga. Tertiary limestones also occur, as has been noticed 

 by Colonel Silver top. 



Mr Greenough made some observations on the connection 

 of the Alps and the Pyrenees. 



12. Mr Smith of Jordanhill read an account of some fossil 

 trees found in a sandstone quarry near Glasgow, viz. near the 

 aqueduct which carries the Forth and Clyde Canal across the 

 Kelvine river. Arguments derived chiefly from tlie erect position 



