1815.} On the Red Sand-stone Formation. 18 
water, concealing themselves beneath a quantity of spawn already 
floating on the surface. Having placed myself behind an adjoining 
hedge, through which I could perfectly see the pool, being about 
two yards from its surface, and at the same time without giving any 
disturbance to its inhabitants, I remained quiet for more than a 
quarter of an hour. At length, when my patience was nearly ex- 
hausted, I saw the head of a frog rise above water; and on a closer 
inspection I perceived underneath the head of another one, which 
seemed to be embraced by the first. In this way they silently raised 
themselves pair by pair, till there were not less than 50 or 60 pairs 
of them in the small space I have already mentioned. In a short 
time the little pool was all in action. ‘Those frogs which were 
mounted on the backs of the others seemed to be busily employed 
with their hinder feet and legs, whilst the fore legs of each firmly 
embraced the body of his mate. In some too a mass of spawn 
seemed to move after the pair as they altered their position in the 
pool. These violent exertions of what I took to be the males con- 
tinued. without any intermission, and with so much force as very 
considerably to agitate the little pool for some time, until the noise 
of a person passing on horseback alarmed them, and they were all 
again under water ina moment. From the hinder parts of what I 
took to be the female frogs having been so much under water, I 
eould not positively assert the fact, but I had not a doubt, from the 
nature of the motions I saw, that the animals were engaged in an 
operation similar to that which is ascribed to the toad ; and I was 
confirmed in this belief by observing on my return, five or six 
hours afterwards, that the quantity of spawn had been nearly 
doubled; and though I approached the pool with the utmost cau- 
tion, I could not see a single frog, and had every reason to think, 
from a careful examination of the shallow pool, that they were all 
¢. 
I fear the above may be very uninteresting to you; and if so, I 
have to apologize for troubling you with it. 
I have the honour to be, Sir, 
Your obedient humble servant, 
Fountain Hall, by Tranent, 
May 8, 1815 Tuos. Lauper Dicr. 
, . 
Articre II]. 
On the Red Sand-stone Formation. By Professor Jameson. 
Tus important formation has been met with in the most widely 
distant parts of the globe, and generally occupying great tracts of 
country. It rests sometimes on primitive rocks, but more frequently 
on those of the transition class; and in many countries it is covered 
