1818.] " and of some Mineral Substances. 345 



publication of Mr. Keir on the mineralogy of Staffordshire. It 

 was only noticed by them in one situation, viz. in a range of hills, 

 extending from Dudley towards Oldbury, and upon which the 

 village of Rowley is situated. Near Bradely, close to the farm- 

 house, a bed of this substance occurs, enclosing crystals of 

 hornblende, and having the same tendency to assume the 

 polygonal form, and to decompose into spheroidal masses, with 

 the Rowley rag. It is in fact the same substance, but occupy- 

 ing a very different position. It forms no perceptible elevation, 

 and was originally about 80 yards in length and 30 in width ; but 

 one portion of it, being in the way of the farming operations, was 

 entirely cleared from the surface. It formed the uppermost 

 stratum, and was thrown into the holes caused by the fire. A 

 fence to one of the fields, being carried across part of it, exhibits 

 a section of the trap, but not sufficiently deep. At this position 

 I caused a hole to be dug to ascertain the thickness, which 

 appeared to be about four feet. On arriving near that depth, 

 with great difficulty, on account of the nature of the rock, we 

 were obliged to desist ; but the smoke from underneath began 

 to ascend, showing that the lower strata were very near. Some 

 expense and time would be necessary to ascertain the junction 

 of this trap with the sandstone, on which 1 suppose it to rest, 

 and whether, in any part of it, it has a connexion with a fault 

 composed of the same material. The portion of the strata 

 examined was chiefly in small angular pieces, much shattered. 

 The larger blocks were in quadrangular masses. This trap is five 

 miles distant from the Rowley Hills, with which it appears to 

 have no connexion. The collieries in the intervening space are 

 not cut through any corresponding bed of trap. To the west 

 there is a slight declivity of the ground, which it appears to 

 follow, and so far appears conformable. 



I beg to apologize for trespassing so much on your time. 

 I am most respectfully, your obedient servant, 



John Finch. 



Article V. 



Biogruphical Sketch of Adanson. 



Michel Adanson, who was no less remarkable for his assi- 

 duity in the prosecution of natural science than for the singularity 

 of his habits and character, was born at Aix, in Provence, on 

 April 7, 1727. He was descended from a Scotch family, who 

 followed the fortunes of .lames II. and afterwards became natu- 

 ralized in France. He was brought to Paris at the age of three 

 years ; and his father being in humble circumstances, his educa- 

 tion was conducted under the patronage of the Archbishop of 



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