GeologisW Association. 237 



specimens found in England, though differing considerably amongst themselves, 

 belonged to a single species. 



Discussion. — -Prof. Rupert Jones remarked on the combination of organs found in 

 the older forms of vegetable and animal life which were now found separate, and 

 attached to different groups. 



3. " Notes on the Geology of Kaziriin, Persia." By A. H. Schindler, Esq. Com- 

 municated by Joseph Prestwich, Esq., F.R.S., V.P.G.S. 



In this paper, which accompanied a series of specimens presented to the Museum 

 of the Society, the author described the section presented by the bilk in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Kazirun. The general surface was described as consisting of nearly 

 unfossiliferous Post-tertiary deposits, immediately beneath which is an unstratified 

 marine deposit containing a great abundance of fossils, among which are species of 

 Ostrea, Fecteii, and Cidaris (?). Below this deposit is a succession of strata, repeated 

 several times in the hills, and at the bottom of the series in each case is a bed of 

 gypsum. The spaces between the recurrent series are filled up with conglomerates. 

 Beneath the gypseous series is a formation of compact limestone, which rises to a 

 height of about 1500 feet both north and south of the plain of Kazirdn ; its beds dip 

 25°, and their strike is from N.E. to S.W. The author mentioned the occurrence in 

 a gypsum quarry near Kaziriin of three long cylinders from 6 to 10 feet in diameter, 

 composed of the same material as the surrounding rock. He also stated that he had 

 examined several caverns in the neighboming mountains, and also the great cave at 

 Shahpoor, but without discovering any organic remains. 



Discussion.- — Mr. Etheridge was inclined to regard the specimens exhibited as 

 probably of Miocene age. Some of the Pectens resembled those from Malta, and a 

 Crinoid appeared also not to belong to an earlier stage than the Miocene. 



Mr. Blanford mentioned that at Shiraz the formation was nummulitic, but along 

 the shores of the Persian Gulf the beds appeared to be of more recent age, containing 

 some existing forms. He thought that possibly the beds described at Kazirun be- 

 longed to the same series. He did not, however, recognize any of the few fossils 

 exhibited as belonging to the rocks on the shore of the Gulf. 



Geologists' Association. — April 4th, 1873. — Professor Morris, F.G.S., Vice- 

 President, in the Chair. — 1. " On the Diamond-fields of South Africa," by G. C. 

 Cooper, Esq, 



The theory of an igneous action upon the spot at which the diamonds are now 

 found being the explanation required to solve the problem of their origin, was opposed 

 by the author, who adduced facts from his observation in support of the opposite 

 conclusion. He did not consider that the numerous trap-dykes which characterize 

 the South African Diamond Fields had broken through the present surface, Avhich, on 

 the contrary, had been produced, he believed, by the accumulation of materials brought 

 by aqueous agency subsequent to the volcanic action which had formed the dykes. 

 These materials consisted of a surface layer of red sand, overlying a bed from five to 

 seven feet thick, of fragments of "lime and claystone"; and beneath this the 

 diamantiferous marl or "stuff" is reached. Steatitic or magnesian matter forms 

 a considerable proportion of the "stuff," which it was contended may have been 

 brought from magnesian rocks at a considerable distance by water, and possibly by 

 ice-action, and deposited in the hollows between the trap-dykes, and that these mag- 

 nesian rocks may have been the original matrix of the diamonds. 



2. " On some Fossils from the Chalk of Margate," by J. W. "Wetherell, Esq. 



The author had devoted some time and attention to the exploration of the Chalk 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of Margate, and had obtained as a result a large 

 number of species of fossils, a list of which was given, with remarks as to their re- 

 lative abundance. In addition to many .genera usually common in the Upper Chalk, 

 Belemnitella appears to be well represented in the Margate Clialk, and Ammonites 

 are also found ; but perhaps the most abundant fossil is the Coscinopora globularis, 

 which varies in size from that of a walnut to a pin's head. Crystals of selenites were 

 found as well as concretions of iron pyrites, but minerals are by no means common 

 in the Chalk of Margate. 



