116 REPORT — 1859. 



No. 4 is the cover of No. 3 ; its external diameter is 11 inches, and its inner dia- 

 meter is 4 inches, the breadth of the ring being 3 inches. Instead of forming a 

 perfect circle, it has a fissure or rent throughout the whole breadth of the ring at 

 right angles to its circumference. This fissure is about half an inch wide, and at 

 first sight one is tempted to think it was an original character necessary for the 

 fulfilment of the functions of the organism ; but on comparing its reft circumference 

 with the complete circle formed by Nos. 1 and 2, it may be concluded to be purely 

 accidental. The rising up of the matrix in the centre of this specimen is very pro- 

 minent, like that in No. 2. 



In December of last year, Mr. Salter exhibited at a meeting of the Geological 

 Society of London, some veiy fine specimens of the curious impressions known to 

 Scotch geologists as "Kelpies' feet," from the micaceous sandstones near Dundee, 

 forming part of the lower member of the Old Eed Sandstone in that locality. 

 The organisms now described are not identical with the " Kelpies' feet," which are 

 mere impressions containing no organic matter, and are in general of an oval shape ; 

 whereas these specimens, two of them at least, are perfect circles and covered with 

 organic matter. 



As we must place these organisms for the present amongst the fossils " incertce 

 seclis," Mr. Miller proposes to name them provisionally Fucus annulatus ; they were 

 all found in the quarries in the neighbourhood of Tburso. 



On New Fossils from the Loioer Old Red Sandstone. 

 By Hugh Mitchell, Craig. 



From a locality previously recorded in Kincardineshire, and from two new 

 localities in Forfarshire, numerous fossils had been gathered, indicating an exten- 

 sive flora and fauna at the very commencement of the Old Red Sandstone period. 



From the dark red flags of Forfar evidence was produced, for the first time, of 

 the presence of life in numerous Crustacean tracks, Annelide burrows, &c. 



From a thin layer among the grey flags many new fossils had also been gathered ; 

 among the rest a new species of Acanthodes, to which Sir P. Egerton has given 

 the name of Acanthodes antiquns ; and also a new genus, as well as species, to which 

 had been given the name of Brachyacanthus scutiger, 



Guided by the discoveries in Forfarshire, the other locality had been re-examined, 

 and found to afford, although in a fragmentary state, the same fossils. 



On the Geological Structure of the Vicinity of Aberdeen and the North-east of 

 Scotland. By James Nicol, F.R.S.E., F.G.S., Professor of Natural 

 History in the University of Aberdeen. 



It has been thought that a short sketch of the geology of this locality might in- 

 terest our visitors from the South. To illustrate this generally, I have had a laro-e 

 copy of that portion of my Geological Map of Scotland prepared. This, of course 

 does not give minute details, but still I have no hesitation in saying that it is more 

 accurate than any other map, as I have not only corrected it in many parts myself 

 but have had the use of much material collected by my friend Mr. A. Cruickskank! 



Though scarcely needed, it may be mentioned that Scotland consists of three 

 natural geological divisions :— 1st. Southern Region of Lower Silurian Rocks of 

 Murchison, or Cambrian of Sedgwick. This region consists of greywacke and 

 clay-slate rising into lofty broad-backed mountains separated by wide" valleys, the 

 dales of the old Borderers. 



2nd. Central Region of Old Red, Coal, and Trap. This contains only about one- 

 sixth of the surface (5000 square miles), but full two-thirds of the popidation of 

 Scotland, and a far larger proportion of the mineral wealth and manufactures of 

 the kingdom. 



3rd. Northern Region of Primary or Crystalline Strata broken through by Granite 

 and set in a framework of newer formations. It contains two-thirds of the surface' 

 but little more than one-fourth of the population. It is in this region we are now 

 met, and to one portion of it that I mean specially to direct your attention. The 

 kernel of this whole region is the Granite. This forms some of the highest moun- 

 tains, and some of the lowest land in the district ; of the former I may mention 



