TKANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 123 



The author then passed on to describe the range of the ohler roelcs, with tlieir 

 associated Coal-measures, from the south of IreLind, throug-h the west of Eiiolaiid, 

 ami theu again in Belgium. Following the reasoning of "Mr. Godwin-Austen, as 

 laid before the Geological Society in 1855, the author showed that a ridge of pahco- 

 zoic rocks must extend under the south-east of England, and that such liad been 

 certainly reached at Harwich, possibly also at Kentish Town. The likelihood of 

 the occurrence of Coal-measures along this line was also discussed. 



It was shown that in the Boulonnais the Carboniferous Limestone, where last seen, 

 is dipping south ; and that in the Pays de Bray, near Gournaj', Carboniferous Lime- 

 stone has been found at a depth of only 22 metres below Kimmeridge claj^ From 

 these facts it seems extremely likely that a trough of Coal-measures may lie between 

 these two points ; and if so, this trough will probably be continued westwards under 

 the Weald. But of this, and even of tlie character' of the Coal-measures if found, 

 there must necessarily be great uncertainty. Tlie sub-Wealden boring may not at 

 once determine these points, but it will give important data towards the future de- 

 termination of them. With regard to the thickness of the rocks to be passed 

 through, nothing certain could be said. The author, as the result of a careful exa- 

 mination of the evidence, concluded that IGOO feet would probably be the maximum 

 depth to the pala3ozoic rocks. Mr. Prestwich, as the result of other inquiries, had 

 suggested 1700 feet as the maximum depth. These results, independently arrived 

 at, gave great hopes that the numbers named would not be exceeded. The minimum 

 depth could scarcely be less than UOO or 700 feet. 



_ With regard to t^ie site selected for the boring, it was shown that it was on'tlie 

 Inie of the main anticlinal, and within about 100 feet of the lowest known part of 

 tlie Ashburnham beds, and consequently in a most favourable spot for this experi- 

 ment. 



On the Geohrpj of Moah. Bij the Eev. Canon Tmsteam, LL.I)., F.S.S. 

 Lithis paper it was shortly stated that the valley of the Jordan coincides with <a 

 synclmal line. On the western side of the Dead Sea there are only threo sprino-s, 

 and here there are vast banlfs of marl heaped against the clifis. Gu the east side 

 there is but little marl ; the cliffs are formed of New Bed Sandstone, and where the 

 Eocene limestone rests upon this, there are numerous springs. The basalt of 

 the district is modern, as the lava-streams overlie the Tertiary limestones. No 

 craters were observed in this district, and the origin of the lava'is at present uu- 

 kuoAvn. To the north-east of the Dead Sea there is a fertile plain of New Bed 

 Sandstone, backed on the east by a range of limestone hills (Tertiary): beyond this 

 there is a reoion as yet wholly unexplored, which was reported to be a vast volcanic 

 tract covered with ruined cities. 



On the Formation and Stratification of Sedimenfarij Bocks. 

 By T. Ogies Waed, M.D. Oxon. 



On Slic?censides, or Unlhed, Polished, or Striated Hods. 

 By T, Ogier Ward, M.D. Oa-on. 



BIOLOGY. 



Address hj Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., F.B.S., Vicc-Chancellor of the 

 University of London, President of the Section. 



ADVEnTiNG to the introduction of natural science into our great public schools 

 Sir .T. Lubbock was glad to say that the regulations Avhich are being drawn up 

 under the Public Schools Act by the new governing bodies generally contain a pro- 

 vision that natural science shall be taught to all boys in their passage through the 



