Geological Society. 125 



liave been given, it cannot escape our notice, notwithstanding their 

 apparent difference, that the same plan has presided at their forma- 

 tion, or in other words, that they possess a unity of structure. We 

 observe, however, this remarkable circumstance in their mode as in 

 their degree of evolution, that the one always seek the light, under 

 the influence of which the principal phsenomena of their fructification 

 take place, while the others pass through the first, or all the phases 

 of their life, free from the influence of this modifying power ; that is 

 to say, that they ripen their spores in a closed receptacle, and that 

 in general this opens only when they are ready for dispersion. The 

 evolution of the second is, as we may say, of a lower grade than that 

 of the first. But in comparing Gyrophragmiuni especially with an 

 Agaric, it is easy nevertheless to perceive the perfect analogy which 

 exists between the two series, examined towards their culminating 

 point. The resemblance would be still more striking and almost 

 complete, at least as regards external form, if it be proved some day 

 that Montagnites belongs also to the Gasteromycetes, as we are per- 

 mitted to suspect from its aftinit}' with Gyrophragmium. It is then 

 that the simplicity and independence of the partitions, — carried to the 

 highest degree, since they are fixed to the top of the stem by a single 

 point, frequently by a short thread, and radiate horizontally like the 

 gills of an Agaric, — it is then, I say, that this independence and sim- 

 plicity would raise the Gasteromycetes almost to the same grade as 

 the Hymenomycetcs, always however considered abstractedly of their 

 morphosis, which is essentially different*. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



February 1 , 184.3. — " On the Geological position of the Mastodon 

 giganteum and associated fossil remains at Bigbone Lick, Kentucky, 

 and other localities in the United States and Canada." Bv Charles 

 Lyell, Esq., V.P.G.S. 



With a view to ascertain the relations of the soil in which the 

 bones of the Mastodon are found, to the drift or boulder formation, 

 whether any important geographical or geological changes had 

 taken place since they were imbedded, and what species of shells are 

 associated with them, Mr. Lyell visited a number of places where 

 they had been obtained. In this paper he gives the result of his 

 researches. 



The most celebrated locality visited was Bigbone Lick, in the 

 northern part of Kentucky, distant about 25 miles to the S.W. of 

 Cincinnati, situated on a small tributary of the river Ohio called 

 Bigbone Creek, which winds for about 7 miles below the Lick before 

 joining the Ohio. A "Lick" is a place where saline springs break 



* The latter part of this article is translated from ' L'Institut,' May 4, 

 1843. 



