566 Dr. H. Hicks — The Ffynnon Beuno and Cae Gwyn Caves. 



species, yet after a careful examination of the larger specimens, 

 which are unfortunately only fragments, the characters appear to be 

 the same as those of the smaller ones just described, and therefore, until 

 better specimens can be found, they are regarded as the same species. 



Obolella granulata, S., sp. nov. 



Locality. — Lane on the south side of Purley Park, near Atherstone. 



Only two specimens have been collected by the Survey, and 

 although somewhat imperfect, yet they exhibit characters separating 

 them from previously described species. 



On first viewing the specimens, the form and general appearance 

 of Siphonotreta is strongly suggested, but the structure and orna- 

 mentation is found on closer examination to differ considerably from 

 it ; radiating ribs apparently underneath the general surface of the 

 shell are clearly seen extending from the beak towards the margin, 

 and these commencing and terminating irregularly, none however 

 quite reaching from the beak to the margin of the shell. 



The surface of the whole shell is minutely granulated, giving an 

 appearance of very fine concentric wavy lines. The umbonal region 

 not being quite perfect prevents any definite determination of the 

 genus, but provisionally it is placed with Obolella. 



V. — On the Ffynnon Beuno and Cae Gwyn Caves. 

 By Henry Hicks, M.D., F.R.S., F.G.S. 



THE best reply that I can make to Prof. Hughes' remarks, in the 

 Geologioal Magazine for November, on the Ffynnon Beuno 

 Caves, is to publish the substance of the report presented to the 

 British Association, especially as an opportunity will be given to 

 those interested in the inquiry to examine the section during the 

 further explorations to be carried on, probably in the month of June 

 next year. Some of his statements — especially as regards the position 

 of the fence, which is entirely at the opposite end of the cavern to 

 that at which the flint flake was found, also as to the position of the 

 flake, and the nature of the deposits overlying it — are so entirely 

 misleading, that I can only account for such statements being made 

 by the fact that Prof. Hughes did not visit the section, though 

 strongly urged by me to do so, until it had been almost entirely 

 covered over, and work for the time suspended, and by his hasty 

 survey of the surrounding conditions. 1 That such experienced 



1 It is surprising that Prof. Hughes did not recognize that the accumulation against 

 the upper side of the old fence, ' ' until there is now a drop of eight feet to the level of 

 the ground on the lower side of the fence," mentioned by him as of such great im- 

 portance, is merely material conveyed there during the explorations. Before work 

 was commenced, the space between the old fence and the entrance was almost bare 

 rock, and there was nothing resting against the fence. No wonder then that he should 

 have come to the conclusion that this was remanie drift, and that he thought he recog- 

 nized on some of the stones " traces of agricultural implements as well as true Glacial 

 strise." The remarkable thing is that he should not have recognized the difference 

 between this very recently mixed material near the old entrance and the stratified 

 deposits in the shaft at the other end of the cavern. The term " Clwydian," if it is 

 at all advisable to give local names to drift, is a most unsuitable name for the undis- 

 turbed glacial deposits on the higher levels, and should be confined to those at and 

 about St. Asaph, which are at a low level near the centre of the Vale of Clwyd, and 



