Reports and Proceedings. 29 



The crystalline rocks forming the bed of the river are overlain by 

 a sandstone, sometimes coarse and gritty, and at other times fine- 

 grained and compact. The prevailing colour is light-yellow, but in 

 places it is dark-purple and even black, owing to the presence of 

 iron. As yet no organic remains have been discovered in it. This 

 sandstone rests on the uneven surface of the syenite in slightly 

 inclined strata, dipping N.N.E. It is nowhere altered at its junction 

 with the syenite, nor is it anywhere penetrated by dykes. 



To the eastward of the first cataract is a wide valley, commencing 

 opposite the Island of Philge, and joining the Nile valley again about 

 three miles below Assouan. Through this valley the Nile may have 

 formerly flowed, as freshwater shells and deposits of Nile-mud are 

 found at a considerable height above the present level of the river. 



To the westward of the first cataract the crystalline rocks dis- 

 appear below the sandstone, and the country is almost entirely 

 covered with sand of a rich yellow colour, composed of fine rounded 

 grains of quartz. 



3. " On the Drift of the North of England." By J. Curry, Esq. 

 Commimicated by the Assistant- Secretary. 



Having first given a general sketch of the district under considera- 

 tion, and noticed the various rock-formations occurring therein, the 

 author described in detail the distribution of the drift, showing that 

 the prevailing direction in which it had been carried was from north- 

 west to south-east, with certain variations, dependent upon the con- 

 figuration of the land. He then described the wide distribution of 

 Shap-fell granite, especially referring to its occurrence in radial 

 lines from the granitic mass, and called attention to the fact that 

 detritus of various rocks in the vicinity of the lakes has been carried 

 over the Stainmore ridge into the valley of the Tees. Mr. Curry 

 then described the occurrence of drift along the western slo]3e of the 

 Pennine chain, and from Castle Carrock across the northern end of 

 that chain, as well as in the valleys of the Tyne and the Tees, 

 pointing out also the absence of drift from Alston Moor and Upper 

 Teesdale, and down the valley of Wear to the city of Durham. 

 In conclusion the author discussed the manner in which the drift- 

 materials had been transported, referring it chiefly to marine opera- 

 tions on ancient shore -lines at various altitudes ; and in explanation 

 of the fact that the upper limit of the drift is not at a uniform ele- 

 vation, he suggested that it may in great measure be due to a varia- 

 tion in the volume of the ocean instead of to elevations and depres- 

 sions of the earth's crust. 



II. — Norwich Geological Society. — On October 2nd, 1866, the 

 Monthly meeting of the above Society was held in the Museum. In 

 the absence of the President, the chair was occupied by T. G. Bay- 

 field, Esq. The principal subject of the evening was a communi- 

 cation made by C. B. Kose, Esq., F.G.S., " On the Cretaceous Groups 

 of Norfolk and Kent," illustrated by a section through West Norfolk, 

 and by specimens of the Sandstones and Fossils. 



Mr. Kose commenced by stating that he had recently visited Folk- 



