362 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION C. 
The conclusions are that the Kainozoic alkali rocks of Victoria are derived 
from the calcic basalts by differentiation, giving rise to several lesser magma 
reservoirs. 
In the case of the Macedon magma further differentiation took place and a 
series of lavas was extruded which in general showed a serial relationship, but 
some complementary to one another. 
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. The Permian Breccia of the Midland Counties of Britain, a Desert 
Formation. By H. T. Ferran, M.A., F.G.S.* 
During the meeting of the Association at Birmingham last year members of 
this Section had an ample opportunity for visiting the chief exposures of the 
so-called Permian breccia of the midland counties of England. This deposit may 
be briefly described as a mass of sandstones and marls with occasional sheets of 
angular breccia, the latter consisting in a large measure of volcanic rocks, grits, 
slates, and limestones which can be identified with rocks on the borders of 
Wales. The organic remains which have been recorded are few, but such as 
occur are indicative chiefly of terrestrial surfaces. 
The origin of the breccia has given rise to many speculations, amongst which 
may be mentioned :— 
(1) Murchison {1839) regarded it as a volcanic or trappoid breccia marking 
the position of underground masses of volcanic rocks hidden under a cover of 
their own fragments. 
(2) Ramsay (1855) ascribed its origin to the existence of glacial conditions in 
Permian times. 
(3) Geikie (1892) says with regard to Scotland that the breccia has evidently 
accumulated in small lakes or narrow fiords during periods of great and rapid 
denudation following uplift of the Upper Carboniferous rocks. 
(4) Bonney (1902) concludes that breccias are usually indicative of continental 
conditions, but that glaciers are necessary for the transport of the larger boulders. 
(5) Lapworth (1912) holds that they are the memorials of local Alpine 
conditions. 
In Egypt a chain of fold-mountains forms the watershed between the Nile and 
the Red Sea, and the mountains are intersected and drained by steep-sided 
gorges or wadis. The climate is arid with occasional heavy thunderstorms 
causing temporary torrents, which sweep forward all rock-material loosened during 
the prevailing dry climate. The wadi beds receive continuously a fresh supply 
of angular débris shed from the adjacent bare hillsides, and any fragments 
which may have become rounded or subangular are often shattered before the 
next flood sweeps them forward another stage on their journey towards a more 
permanent resting-place, namely, the alluvial plain at the wadi-mouth. Blocks 
slipping down the bare hillsides become scratched or they may be scratched by 
mutual impact during a sudden rush of flood-water. Great blocks are often 
carried fifty or one hundred miles down the wadi channels, and the agency of 
ice need not be invoked to explain their transport. 
The valley-fill of most wadis in the Eastern Desert of Egypt is an wncon- 
solidated breccia so similar to the breccia exposed on Ley Hill, near Birming- 
ham, that there is little room for doubt that the two originated under similar 
climatic conditions. 
‘ By permission of the Director-General, Egyptian Survey Department. 
