466 . Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [Dec. 



consisted c f a technical description of different species of meloe, 

 it is obviously not susceptible of abridgment. 



Part of a paper, by the Rev. Patrick Keith, on the upward 

 direction of the pluniula, and downward direction of the radicle, 

 of seeds, was also read. The paper began by stating the curious 

 fact that, whatever be the position of the seed, the phimula always 

 assumes an upward direction, and the radicle goes downwards. 

 Then follows an historical statement of the different explana- 

 tions of this curious fact given by philosophers. The supposed 

 levity of the sap of the plumula, and gravity of that of the radicle, 

 is mentioned ; then the supposed attraction of air for the plumula, 

 and of earth for the radicle. Dr. Darwin's opinion is next stated, 

 and a direct experiment in refutation of it described. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The Geological Society held its first meeting after the long 

 vacation on Friday, the 5th of November. Mr. Webster's paper 

 on the formations in the South of England lying over the chalk 

 was continued. He described IS different beds of calcareous 

 matter, clay, and sand, most of which may be traced for a very 

 considerable extent of country. 



On the 19th of Nbveitaber Mr. Webster's paper was continued. 

 He made a comparison bei.veen the different formations in the 

 neighbourhood of Paris and those in the South of England, and 

 showed their exact similarity, both in the constituents, position, 

 and fossil remains which they contain ; though some of the 

 Parisian beds are wanting, or at least have not hitherto been 

 observed in the South of England. Thus something similar to 

 the lower part of the calcaire grossiere of France has been ob- 

 served in England, but nothing similar to the upper part of that 

 formation. The gypsum in Paris occurs in a fresh-water forma- 

 tion. Selenite is found in a similar position in England : but 

 we have no rocks exactly similar to the gypsum of Montmarire. 

 One of the most remarkable formations which lie over the chalk 

 in England is the London clay, which varies from 200 to 500 

 feet in thickness. It extends over a considerable part of the 

 north coast of Kent, and constitutes the surface of most of Essex 

 and Suffolk. The fossil remains which it contains are various, 

 and highly interesting. Mr. Webster gave a catalogue of the 

 fresh-water shells found in the fresh-water formation in England, 

 and showed that they are precisely the same that are found in the 

 same formation in the neighbourhood of Paris. 



At the same meeting a short notice, by Mr. Arthur Aikin, 

 was read, respecting the granite of the Malve"rn Hills, one of 

 which he ascended. lie found it composed of quartz, felspar, 

 mica, and pistazite; and would have hesitated to call it granite, 

 had it not been for the numerous specimens of small grained 

 eraphic granite, which he found every where around. 



