TEANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 715 



In the atsence of a working liypothesis of the kind wliicli I have already sug- 

 gested, it is not probable that direct evidence would yet be obtainable — this must 

 be work for the future — but when we consider that the existence of compounds of 

 the order in question would manifest themselves in ordinary mineral analyses by 

 the analytical products exceeding the original weight of material, we seem to find 

 some evidence on the point in recorded cases of the kind. A deficiency of a single 

 atom of oxygen in compounds having the high molecular weights of those in 

 question would be indicated by very small excesses (from 2 to 3 per cent.) whose 

 real meaning might be easily overlooked. Now, such results are not at all unusual 

 in analyses of mineral alumino-silicates. For instance, Amjihiboles containing a 

 mere trace of iron have afforded 102-7o parts from 100, and almost all analyses 

 of Microsominite are high, giving as much as 103 parts. In less degree Vesuvicuiite 

 and members of the Andalusite group may be noted. All these cases may be 

 capable of some other explanations, but I cite them to show that such excesses are 

 commonly met with in published analyses. On the other hand, it is scarcely to 

 be doubted that a good analyst, who obtained a really significant excess, would 

 throw such a result aside as erroneous and never publish it. I therefore plead for 

 much greater care in analj^ses of the kind in question and closer scrutiny of 

 results in the light of the suggestions I have ventured to ofier. It is probable 

 that silicates containing only partially oxidised aluminium are rare ; nevertheless 

 the search for them would introduce a new element of interest into mineralogical 

 inquiries. 



If the general considerations I have now endeavoured to lay before you are 

 allowed their full weight, some of the alumino-silicates of our primary rocks reveal 

 to us more than we hitherto supposed. Regarded from this newer standpoint, tliey 

 are teleoxidised representatives of substances which foreshadowed in terms of silicon, 

 aluminium, and oxygen the compounds of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen required 

 at a later stage of the earth's history for living organisms. Thus, while the 

 sedimentary strata contain remains which come down to us from the very dawn of 

 life on this globe, the rocks from whose partial disintegration the preserving strata 

 resulted contain mineral records which carry us still further back, even to Nature's 

 earliest eftbrts in building up compounds similar to those suited for the purposes of 

 organic development. 



The following Papers and Reports were read : — 



1. On Tools and Ornaments of Copper mid Other Metals from Egypt and 

 Palestine. By Dr. J. H. Gladstone, F.B.S. 



The author gave an account of analyses of various specimens of metallic tools 

 and ornaments found by Dr. Flinders Petrie in Egypt and Mr. Bliss in Palestine. 

 The oldest copper tools were from Meydum, and date back probably to the fourth 

 Egyptian dynasty, about 3500 b.c. Other copper tools were obtained at Kahun, 

 and date 2500 B.C. These contain small quantities of arsenic, antimony, &c. : but 

 among the specimens from Meydum was a rod of bronze containing about 9 per 

 cent, of tin. Bronze needles were also found at Kahun, and of course bronze was 

 abundant in later periods. That tin was known in the metallic condition was 

 evidenced by a finger-ring made of tin belonging to the eighteenth dynasty, about 

 1400 B.C. Lead was often mixed with the bronze for the casting of statuettes. 



The mound of Tel-el-Hesy, which is believed to be the Lachish of the Scriptures, 



consists of the ruins of several successive Amorite towns, above which are the ruins 



of the Israelitish town. A copper tool from the lowest stratum, and which could 



not be of later date than 1500 B.C., was made of a very red, hard, brittle metal, of 



k a specific gravity of only 6-6, and consisted of cuprous oxide to the extent of about 



B 25 per cent. This oxide, no doubt, gave the desired hardness to the copper. In 



I the strata dating from 1400 B.C. to 800 B.C. occurred many arrow-heads and other 



■ objects made of bronze. In the upper Israelitish portion the bronze implements 



K ■were gradually replaced by iron. At Lacliish there were also found a wire of 



B almost pure lead, and what seemed to be a bracelet of silver. The latter was 



■ 



