T. Mellard Reade— Pitted Pehhles in the Bnnfer. 341 



Kilkenny, Ireland (Irish Acad. Trans. 1871). On Stagonolepia Robertsoni, etc. 

 (Q.J.G.S. 1875). On the evidence as to the Origin of existing Vertebrate Animals 

 (lectures, Nature, 1876). The Rise and Progress of Paleontology {Nattire, No. 24, 

 1881). The Coming-of-age of the "Origin of Species" (1880, Eoy. Inst. Proc. 

 9, 1«82). — It will be seen that Professor Huxley was a frequent contributor tothe 

 pages of the Geological Magazine, and was one of its constant supporters since 

 its commencement in 1864. 



His last paper to the Geological Society was "Further Observations 

 upon Hyperodapedon Gordoni" read May 11, 1887: see Q.J.G.S., 

 vol. xliii, p. 675, pis. xxvi and xxvii. His latest work (published 

 in conjunction with Dr. Pelsener) is on Spirula (" Challenger " 

 Eeports), 1895. 



" Four kings laboured to build a mighty hall, the Hall of a 

 Hundred Columns, at Karnak. In a century they built it, and they 

 died ; but the hall remains. Four men [Darwin, Tyndall, Huxley, 

 Spencer], more than all others, have raised up within this century 

 an edifice which is the crowning glory of British science ; and 

 before the century closes three of them are dead. But the edifice 

 stands, and will stand, as a lasting monument to the power of truth 

 and fearless investigation." — Pall Mall Gazette. 



For further details see also "Men and Women of the Time," 

 The Times, Atheuceum, The Standard, Daily Chronicle, Daily News, etc., 

 July 1st. H. W. 



I. — Pitted Pebbles in the Bunter Conglomerate of Cannock 



Chase, 



By T. Mellard Eeade, C.E., F.G.S., F.E.I.B.A. 



(PLATE XI.) 



IN a letter to this Magazine of May, 1895, headed "The Indenta- 

 tion of the Bunter Pebbles," Mr. W. S. Gresley criticizes the 

 summing-up of my views, given in the 'Annals of British Geology ' 

 (1892, p. 52), that " The indentation of the pebbles he considers to 

 be the result of contact-solution, the water being retained at these 

 spots by capillary attraction." It would have been more satisfactory 

 if Mr. Gresley could have read my original paper ^ before penning 

 his letter, as he would then not have assumed that I "adduce no 

 evidence in support of the chemical theory." 



Perhaps I may be permitted in the pages of this Journal to re- 

 state, and if necessary expand, my reasons for thinking that the 

 "indentations " were not mechanically impressed, as the term rather 

 assumes, but were simply due to solution at the points of contact. 

 In the absence of specimens of the pebbles themselves, to thoroughly 

 understand the question a good photograph is required, and this I 

 have endeavoured to supply, so that my statements can be literally 

 followed. 



These are my points — 



First. — If the pittings or depressions were due to mechanical 

 pressure, the material of the pebble which was " indented " would 

 1 The Trias of Cannock Chase, Proc. Liverpool Geol. Soc, Session 1891-2. 



