Reports and Proceedings. 281 
temperature, where the sedimentary rocks are ‘steam-baked’ (as 
Beete Jukes calls it) into crystalline, and all those metamorphoses 
take place of which so much has lately been written. That this is 
in all probability a general phenomenon, is clear from the fact that 
in all parts of the world wherever an artesian well has been sunk 
or a shaft driven, there is found a regular increase of heat as we 
descend downwards: and that there does not appear any neces- 
sity for a very high temperature, is shown by the fact that we have 
pretty good proof that the temperature of boiling water continued 
to a long period is sufficient to produce very great change in the 
structure of rocks. The hot springs far from volcanic regions, 
as those of Bath and the Clifford Lode in Cornwall, probably take 
their rise from this level; and when we consider that the waters in 
the earth have a never-ceasing circulation, that they are all in turn 
exposed to the oxygenation of the air to fit them for the purposes of 
circulation, that they are the agents by which oxygen is carried 
through every square foot of the earth’s crust, that by their means 
all the chemical changes are carried on, that by them the particles 
of one rock are distributed to others, that by their means fresh 
growths on the coral islands are formed,—when we reflect that 
enormous quantities of nitrogen and carbonic acid are given off 
with them in the gaseous form, that their chemical power is as- 
sisted by an internal heat, it is impossible to resist the convic- 
tion that the analogy between the waters under the earth and the 
life-blood of animals is very strong. He believed that this analogy 
had been pointed out by Professor Ansted. Lastly, he concluded 
by observing, that if we look at the rain as intended solely to fer- 
tilize the earth and supply the wants of animals, we take a very im- 
perfect view of the case; we so look at it because we are not as 
yet able to grasp the whole plan of creation ; and when farmer John 
calls at the vicarage hoping that ‘ Master will be so well pleased as 
to pray for rain,’ he little thinks he is asking that the beautiful har- 
mony of those laws designed for the benefit of all should be broken 
through for his supposed benefit—he knows not what he asks. 
Mr. Parfitt submitted some questions relative to the wearing away 
of the sandstone cliffs just at the highwater line. 
Mr. D’Urban read ‘ Some Notes on Land-Shells,’ suggesting that 
possibly the Fluke or Distoma in Sheep may be derived from the 
internal parasites of Helix virgata, which sheep greedily eat on 
some pastures. Mr. D’Urban also alluded to the occurrence of 
Cyclostoma elegans, Helix Ericetorum, and other Helices, in a 
semi-fossilized condition at the base of clay and chalk cliffs in 
Devonshire. 
Narurat History Sociry or Guascow.—The ordinary even- 
ing meeting of this Society was held on Oct. 25, in the library of 
Anderson’s University, Dr. John Scouler in the chair. Mr. David 
Robertson exhibited a specimen of Porcellidium fimbriatum, of 
Claus, an Entomostracan new to Britain, and a number of speci- 
mens of Cuma Robertsoni, a species recently named by the Rev. 
VOL. I.—NO. VI. U 
