286 Correspondence — Mr. W. Carruthers — Mr. A. Strahan. 



also with the fact that it was discovered in compact sandstone, instead 

 of conglomerate. I shall be most happy to forward the specimen for 

 the inspection of any one interested in the matter. 



H. W. Jamieson, Capt., F.K.G.S., 

 Junior Army and Navy Club. Bengal Staff Corps. 



NOTE ON MR. LEE'S SPECIMENS OF FOSSIL WOOD FROM 

 GRIQUA LAND. 



Sir, — The Lignite from Kimberly Mine, Claim 196, consists of 

 stems, or branches converted into a brittle lignite, which still pre- 

 serves the original size and form of the stems, and exhibits the 

 internal structure peculiar to the Coniferas. The wood cells have a 

 single series of discs, as in the wood of the recent Pines. 



The specimens from Kimberly Mine, Claim 165, are more altered, 

 and approach the condition of our Palaeozoic coal. The small por- 

 tions which show structure (mother-coal) consist of fragments of 

 Coniferous wood, exhibiting the disciferous wood tissue with the 

 discs in single rows. 



The slides from the coal of Heilbron, Vaal Eiver, Free State, 

 consist of wood cells, with discs in single or double and opposite 

 rows, as in the recent Pines, W. Carruthers. 



Botanical Department, British Museum. 



GEOLOGY OF THE ISLE OF MAN. 

 Sir, — I examined in April, 1878, with Dr. Stolterfoth, of Chester, 

 the Conglomerate of Langness in the Isle of Man, and can add my 

 testimony to that of Mr. Morton (Geol. Mag., May, 1879), that Mr. 

 Cumming was not mistaken in assigning them a position below the 

 Carboniferous Limestone. Not only are they seen in the beach to 

 dip under the Limestone, but the lower beds of the latter are them- 

 selves conglomeratic and interstratified with beds of red conglomerate, 

 resembling those which occupy a large part of the promontory. 

 Like Mr. Morton, I failed to find any limestone pebbles in the 

 Conglomerates. A. Strahan. 



Holywell, May 12, 1879. 



[The following is a copy of a letter addressed to the Editor of the 

 Times ; published May 19th, 1879. Its contents are so important 

 that we gladly take leave to reprint it in the Geological Magazine. 

 — Edit. Geol. Mag.] 



"Position of the Silurian Eocks in Herts. 

 " Sir, — In June, 1877, you did me the favour to insert in the Times 

 the announcement and recognition by myself of the Devonian rocks 

 in the deep boring at Messrs. Meux's Brewery, Tottenham-court-road, 

 which there occurred below an abnormal condition of the Lower 

 Greensand at the depth of 1,140ft. This announcement was at first 

 received with doubt ; nevertheless, the problem as to what was the 

 nature of the Palaeozoic rocks below London was there and then 

 solved. Since then borings of greater diameter still have been put 

 down in other parts of the London Basin for the same purpose. 



