42 report — 1865. 



9 



names given to the subdivisions should agree in gender with that of the ori- 

 ginal group. 



[Etymolor/ies and types of new genera to be stated.'] 



It is obvious that the names of genera would in general be far more care- 

 fully constructed, and their definitions would be rendered more exact, if 

 authors woidd adopt the following suggestion : — 



§ F. It is recommended that in defining new genera the etymology of 

 the name shoidd be always stated, and that one species should be invariably 

 selected as a type or standard of reference. 



In concluding this outline of a scheme for the rectification of zoological 

 nomenclature, we have only to remark, that almost the whole of the propo- 

 sitions contained in it may be applied with equal correctness to the sister 

 science of botany. We have preferred, however, in this essay to limit our 

 views to zoology, both for the sake of rendering the question less complex, 

 and because we conceive that the botanical nomenclature of the present day 

 stands in much less need of distinct enactment than the zoological. The 

 admirable rides laid down by Linnaeus, Smith, Decandolle. and other botanists 

 (to which, no less than to the works of Fabricras, Illigcr, Vigors, Swainson, 

 and other zoologists, we have been much indebted in preparing the present 

 document), have always exercised a beneficial influence over their disciples. 

 Hence the language of botany has attained a more perfect and stable condi- 

 tion than that of zoology; and if this attempt at reformation may have the 

 effect of advancing zoological nomenclature beyond its present backward and 

 abnormal state, the wishes of its promoters will be fully attained. 



Report of the Committee on the Distribution of the Organic Remains 

 of the North Staffordshire Coal-jield.- — Concluding lleport. By a 

 Committee, cons'/stint/ of Sir Philip db M. Grey Egerton, Bart., 

 F.R.S., Professor T. H. Huxley, F.R.S. Reporter, William Mo- 



LYNEUX, F.G.S. 



The coal-measures of North Staffordshire may be divided into four distinct 



groups, namely, 



feet. feet. 



The Lowest Measures from about 800 to 1000 



The Lower Thick Measures „ 2000 to 2500 



The Upper Thick Measures ., 1400 to 1800 



The Upper Measures „ 1000 to 1200 



giving a total vertical thickness of from 5200 to G500 feet. 



The divisional formations of the lowest and lower thick measures in the 

 Cheadle-field consist of shaly coarse and fine sandstones, which, although not 

 proved by actual workings, would appear to be from 300 to 400 feet thick. 

 The extension of these sandstones northwards is checked by an upthrow of 

 Millstone-grits near Consall in the Churnet valley, and their place is occupied 

 in the Knypersley and Biddulph districts of the extreme northern point by 

 masses of black and brown shales and clayey laminated sandstones. The 

 divisions of the other groups correspond with this in some respects, but they 

 are less marked and massive. Each of these groups is characterized by the 



