484 



that this depression between the orbits may be better accounted for 

 by the fact of this part of the cranium being nothing more than a 

 thin membrane, as in some of the Chondropterygii. 



The vertebral column is said to be less injured than the other 

 parts of the animal. The processes have disappeared, but the bodies 

 of the vertebrae are perfect; they are circular and very numerous, 

 amounting to about 260, 28 of which are cervical, 143 dorsal, and 

 90 caudal. From the slight groove for the reception of the spinal 

 marrow, and the separated condition of the cervical vertebrae, the 

 author is inclined to consider the spine as having a nearer resem- 

 blance to that of a Squalus than of any other of the cartilaginous 

 fishes. 



The thoracic and pelvic members are stated to be greatly injured; 

 but from the characters which they present, it is inferred, that 

 they afford additional proofs that the fossil belonged to a cartila- 

 ginous fish. 



In conclusion, the author conceives himself justified in considering 

 the specimen as the type of a new genus, and therefore assigns to 

 it the appellation of Squalo-raia Dolichognathos. 



May 29th. — Richard Grantham, Esq., of Limerick, and James 

 Hardie, Esq., of the Bengal Medical Establishment, F.A.S. Cal., 

 were elected Fellows. 



A paper " Oh the Oolitic Formation and its Contents, as occurring 

 in a Quarry atBearfield, near Bradford, Wilts," by J.ChaningPearce, 

 Esq., F.G.S., was first read. 



The principal object of the author is to describe the organic re- 

 mains which he found in a quarry situated at the summit of the hill 

 to the north-west of the town of Bradford in Wilts, and in the same 

 range of hills with that called Farleigh Down, near Bath. The fol- 

 lowing is a section of the beds, in descending order: — 



Ft. In. 



A. Clay above the oolite 10 



B. Debris of shells, &c 6 



C. Firestone 15 



D. Rag 30 



E. Yellow clay 1 



F. Soft freestone 12 



G. Rubbly freestone 



The organic remains are found principally in two of the strata, 

 namely, in the shelly bed B, which lies directly on the surface of 

 the great oolite (C. &c), and in the yellow clay, marked E, which lies 

 within the oolite. The fossils of the bed B, are Aviculae in 

 abundance, numerous species of Terebratulae and Ostreas, with 

 several other species of univalve and bivalve shells, Corals, Asteriae, 

 Echini, vertebrae and teeth of fishes, Crustaceae, Pentacrinus vulgaris, 

 Eugeniacrinites pyriformis (Goldfuss), and three species of Apio- 

 crinites, viz. Apiocrinites globosus, A. intermedins, and A. elongatus. 

 The author observes that where the undulations of the great oolite 

 rise above the level of half a foot, the debris of shells are wanting. 



