1819.] Geological Society. 14i 
impregnated or not. Sir E. thinks that impregnation is neces- 
sary to the expulsion of the ova, and that the:corpus luteum is 
burst by extravasated blood, its cavity after the escape of the ovum 
being found distended with blood in a coagulated state. When 
impregnation does not take place, the ovum remains in the 
cavity of the corpus luteum. Hence the author thinks it proba- 
ble that the ovum is impregnated in the ovarium itself. 
Beautiful drawings, illustrative of these points, accompanied 
the paper, founded chiefly on the observations of Mr. Bauer, 
who assisted Sir Everard in the present inquiry. 
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Nov. 6.—A paper, from William Phillips, Esq. M.G.S. “On 
the Chalk Clits, &c. on the Coast of France, opposite Dover,” 
was read. 
The appearance from Dover of the cliffs on the opposite coast 
of France, induced Mr. Phillips to suspect that they might re- 
semble in their formation those of the English coast which he 
had lately described ; and on crossing the channel, examining 
the strata from Sandgate to St. Pot, he found them to consist 
of deposits similar to those which constitute the long range of 
coast between Dover and Folkstone, except that the upper part 
of the bed with numerous flints is not visible on the French 
coast. The dip of the strata appears the same on both sides of 
the channel, but the thickness as well as the height of the 
cliffs is much less on the French side. Hence, although the 
strata became thinner in that portion which now constitutes the 
French coast, Mr. Phillips considers that they were once con- 
tinuous with the English beds, and formed a part of what is 
now termed the chalk basin of London, the then connecting 
mass having been since washed away by the action of the sea. 
A paper from N. 8. Winch, Esq. containing sections of the 
coal formations in Northumberland, was read. 
A paper from William Phillips, Esq. on the modifications of 
the primitive crystal of sulphate of barytes, was read. 
The primitive crystal, a right rhomboidal prism, the angles 
of which were found by the reflecting goniometer to measure 
78° 18’ and 101° 42’, is subject to modifications on its acute 
and obtuse edges, and on all its solid angles. Mr. P. has ob- 
served 18 modifications, and he has described the secondary 
oe produced by them, of which an illustrative series of 
gures 1s given with the paper. 
Dec. 4.—A paper was read, from Dr. Davy, communicated 
by Sir James M‘Gregor, on the Geology and Mineralogy of the 
{sland of Ceylon. 
This island consists almost entirely of one mass of primitive 
rock, composed chiefly of gneiss and dolomite, rising in some 
places to 7000 feet above the level of the sea—an elevation 
which Adams’ Peak, the highest mountain in the island, does 
