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



markings" in the North of Ireland. The curious sculpturings in 

 question are of much interest by reason of the obscurity which 

 shrouds their origin, and the absence of any acceptable theory as 

 to their purpose. They are apparently of great antiquity, and 

 consist of shallow cup-shaped hollows rudely cut upon pillar stones, 

 cromlechs, and even upon rocks in situ. They usually occur in 

 groups scattered without order over the surfaces. Markings of the 

 same kind are found in the South and West of Ireland, but the 

 examples discovered by Mr. Gray are the first noticed in the North. 

 A fine specimen secured by Mr. Gray has been presented to the 

 Museum, 



The second paper was by Mr. Wm. Gault on the * Palaeonto- 

 logy of the Irish Cretaceous strata." The author, who has been 

 working for many years at these rocks, gave a short summary of 

 his labours. The discovery of several new species has rewarded 

 the efforts of Mr. Gault, who has in addition detected in our rocks 

 many fossils not previously found in Ireland, but which are known 

 to occur in the equivalent strata of England and the Continent. 

 It results also as a generalisation from these researches that peculiar 

 assemblages of fossils characterise special zones in these rocks, 

 and that these zones may be correlated with recognised sub- 

 divisions of the Cretaceous formations elsewhere. Mr. Gault 

 stated that his paper was only preliminary to a more extended 

 account of the Irish beds. 



The third paper was by Mr. Joseph Wright, F.G.S., on the 

 "Post-tertiary Foraminifera of the North of Ireland." After the 

 reader had briefly explained the nature of Foraminifera, he said that 

 our post-tertiary clays are divided into two groups — Boulder Clay, 

 and Estuarine Clay. The Boulder Clay examined usually contained 

 Foraminifera in greater or less abundance. At Woodburn 48 

 distinct species were found. Polystomella arctica, a truly arctic 

 species, occurred in abundance. It has also been found in other 

 places in our vicinity, thus proving that the climate of the Boulder 



