312 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



hypotheses to those referring to Bathybius and the Eozoon Cana- 

 dense, as also Dr. Carpenter's assertions about the formation of 

 the Greensand deposits, some of which, as he reminded the members, 

 were first pronounced untenable by members of this Club. 



The subjects of anthropology and the "Antiquity of Man" 

 were afterwards introduced, the President speaking with high ap- 

 proval of the good feeling prevailing at the late meeting between 

 the students of science and the professors of religion. In con- 

 nection with the antiquity of the human race, Dr. Macllwaine 

 gave an outline of a theory which identified the bones found in the 

 caves and drift with the glacial period, as well as the rudely 

 wrought stone implements, and further advocated the possibility 

 of these being the remains of an extinct race of bimana, which had 

 perished in that geological era. It was remarked that such a 

 theory was not opposed to anything contained in the Mosaic re- 

 cord. It remained, however, as a hypothesis only. In giving 

 details of the proceedings of the Club during the past year, the 

 President stated them to be in a very prosperous and favourable 

 condition. The results of their fellow-members' researches in the 

 various fields of natural history were highly creditable. The geo- 

 logical collection of Mr. Gault from the Cretaceous rocks of Antrim, 

 which included several forms new to Ireland, was one of the best 

 ever made from these deposits. Mr. Swanston still continued his 

 researches in the Silurian rocks of the County Down with marked 

 success. Mr. Joseph Wright also continued his labours among the 

 recent Foraminifera, his list at present numbering as many as no 

 species. An interesting conversation took place after the address, 

 the meeting being brought to a close by the election of several new 

 members. 



On nth December, the President, Rev. Canon Macllwaine, 

 D.D., M.R.I.A., in the chair, Mr. J. R. Robinson read a paper 

 on "Water as an Agent of Denudation." 



