Reports and Proceedings — Edinburgh Geological Society. 139^ 



sac-like bodies still apparently in continuity. While, in the absence 

 of recognition of spores, it is impossible to be quite certain that 

 these sac-like bodies are really sporangia, there is much to be said 

 in favour of this conclusion. The fact that they were probably 

 borne on the scale-fronds in sorus-like groups, and that in size, 

 shape, and mode of dehiscence they are not unlike the sporangia of 

 certain recent and fossil plants, supports this view. The closest 

 analogy may probably be found in the microsporangia of Cycads, 

 which are also exannulate. 



A historical sketch is given of the present evidence on the subject 

 of the fructification of Glossopteris ; and it is shown that no sporangia 

 have so far been found, and that such evidence as has been put 

 forward as to the occurrence of sori on the larger fronds is not 

 altogether satisfactory. It is pointed out that, if the present con- 

 clusion be correct (that the sporangia were borne on the smaller 

 scale-fronds), Glossopteris cannot be included in any recent family 

 of the true Ferns. Although the affinities of this genus are still 

 doubtful, the creation of a new family may not be inadvisable. 



II. — Edinburgh Geological Society. 

 January 18th, 1905.— James Currie, M.A., F.R.S.E., President of 

 the Society, in the Chair. 

 The following papers were read : — 



1. " Notes on a Journey through British North Borneo." By 

 Mr. Andrew Burt. 



Mr. Burt gave a sketch of a journey he had made through North 

 Borneo, and described its position, climate, and products. He spoke 

 chiefly of the coal-mines in Labuan and Sarawak, which, he explained, 

 had to be worked by Chinese and Malay labour, the natives being 

 practically useless as workmen. 



2. " Notes on the Pre-Glacial Eiver System of the Forth." By 

 Mr. H. M. Cadell, B.Sc, F.R.S.E. 



Mr. Cadell described various places where ancient buried river 

 valleys had been proved by mining to exist at considerable depths 

 below the present surface, and said it was highly important from 

 a mining as well as a geological standpoint to be able to locate these 

 drift-filled gullies of ancient ' wash-outs.' There was a deep glen 

 under the Carron Water, which entered the Forth at Grangemouth, 

 at a depth of 270 feet below the sea ; and another below the 

 Almond, which had been traced northward from Mid-Calder for 

 eight miles, and ran seawards under Dalmeny Park at a depth 

 of more than 100 feet. Between Preston Island and Culross, again, 

 there was under Torry Bay an ancient trough, which had been 

 struck in the coal workings on Preston Island in 1811 at a depth 

 of 46 fathoms. This was no doubt a part of the ancient Forth 

 Valley in pre-Glacial times. The deepest of the buried valleys 

 that had hitherto been discovered by boring was the ancient gorge 

 or canyon of the Devon, which at Glenochil Distillery had been 

 found by boring to be over 370 feet deep, and filled with mud. 



