236 Reports and Proceedings. 



investigation of the Carboniferous fossils of Scotland. He had. detected in the 

 Carboniferous rocks undoubted spicules of Synapta and Chiridota, showing that the 

 soft-bodied Echinoderms were in existence at the period of their deposition. Mr. 

 Woodward further remarked that of the Holothuridse some forms, such as Fsolus, 

 have an oral disc protected by imbricated calcareous plates. 



Mr. GAvyn Jeffreys added tbat Calveria hystrix was dredged off the Faroe Islands, 

 and subsequently in the Bay of Biscay. He remarked that many missing links will 

 probably be found hereafter, and that nomenclature will be benefited thereby ; thus, 

 if Echinothuria and Calveria really belong to the same genus, one of these names may 

 be discarded. In support of this view he stated that the Palseozoic Euomphalus is 

 identical, as regards the characters of the shell, with the recent Eomalogyra. It is 

 very desirable that zoologists and paliseontologists should employ the same names. 



2. " On the Discovery of Foraminifera, etc., in the Boulder-clays 

 of Cheshire." By William Shone, Esq., jun. Communicated by D. 

 Mackintosh, Esq., F.G.S. 



In this paper the author described the occurrence of Foraminifera, 

 Entomosfcraca, and some other small organic bodies in the Boulder- 

 clay at Newton by Chester, and at Dawpool. They were found 

 partly in the interior of specimens of Turritella terehra, and partly 

 free in the Boulder-clay; but those obtained from the Turritelloe were 

 in better condition than the others. The Foraminifera generally 

 agree precisely with those found in the tidal parts of the river Dee. 

 The author stated further that the Turritellce containing Foraminifera 

 are filled with a fine greyish-white sand, in which the minute fossils 

 abound, and he discussed the probable conditions under which the 

 deposit containing them had been formed. 



DiscxfSSiON. — The President remarked that there seemed to him to be two principal 

 points for discussion in the paper ; first, whether the Foraminifera cited were peculiar 

 to brackish water ; and secondly, whether the Turritellce had been transported. 



Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys said that the Foraminifera sent by Mr. Shone are exactly the 

 same as those found on the shores of England, Wales, and Scotland. The Turritellce 

 presented a puzzling question. The Foraminifera inhabit the edge of high water, 

 and vvoald naturally fill any shells that might be lying on the shore about that line. 

 They might have been transported by ground ice. The species was Turritellce terehra, 

 the common species on the coast. Mr. Jeffreys remarked that we know comparatively 

 little of the Arctic fauna at present, and that it was highly desirable that an expedi- 

 tion should be sent to investigate the marine fauna of high northern latitudes. 



Prof. T. Rupert Jones stated that the Eotalice are not identical aU round the coasts, 

 those from different localities presenting different characters, as may be plainly seen 

 in the Rotalia Beecarii of the Adriatic and of the English coasts. Various circum- 

 stances seem to act in changing the forms, especially whether the animals have 

 inhabited deep or shallow water, or water more or less fresh. The Glohigerince have 

 thicker shells in deep than in shallow water. When Hi-nourished, Foraminifera alter 

 in the style of their outline. 



Prof. Hughes remarked upon the difference of opinion prevailing as to the geogra- 

 phical afiinities of the shells found in this deposit, and as to the origin of the deposit 

 itself. He discussed the question of the origin of the clay, and came to the conclusion 

 that it was not a true Boulder-clay, but derived. 



Mr. Seeley referred to a Boulder-clay at March in Cambridgeshire, containing 

 Foraminifera now common on our present shores. 



3. " On the Occurrence of a Tremadoc area near the Wrekin in 

 South Shropshire, with Description of a new Fauna." By Charles 

 Callaway, Esq., M.A., B.Sc, etc. Communicated by Dr. H. A. 

 Nicholson. 



The author stated that in an exposure of light green, micaceous 

 shales dipping south-east at 50° at Shineton near Cressage, which are 



