49 



decomposition of felspathic basalts by the combined action of water 

 and acidulated gases, dissolving out certain minerals, resulted in 

 the formation of bole and lithomarge. The bole underlying the 

 pisolitic iron band was once a wet terrestrial surface, on which a 

 subsequent volcanic outflow of basalt, by its heat, pressure, and 

 evolved gases, effected a reduction of the oxides of iron into the 

 more concentrated and aggregated form of pisolite. The ferru- 

 ginous series with interstratified plant beds at Ballypallady were 

 described, and shown to be quite distinct from the preceding, being 

 of sedimentary origin, and marking the site of an ancient lake, pro- 

 bably of the Miocene age. To the same interval of volcanic rest 

 may be referred the various lignite bands, which are known here and 

 there beneath the upper basalt The mining of these iron ores has 

 developed a new branch of industry in the North-East of Ireland, 

 and one of growing importance — the abundance of alumina present 

 rendering them of peculiar advantage for admixture with the 

 hsematitic ores of England. Dr. Holden elucidated the subject 

 with photographs, diagrams, and a series of ore specimens ; the 

 latter he presented to the Geological Department of the Museum. 

 At the conclusion of the paper an animated discussion ensued, in 

 which Messrs. Nelson Boyd, F.G.S,, William Gray, Silas Evans, 

 S. A. Stewart, W. H. Patterson, G. T. Glover, and Prof. James 

 Thomson took part. 



On Wednesday evening, 23rd March, Mr. William Gray 

 reported on the occurrence of the Middle Lias near Ballycastle, 

 County Antrim, and stated that, in conjunction with Dr. O'Connor, 

 he found blocks of very fossiliferous micaceous sandstone, in the 

 superficial drift in the neighbourhood of that town. He had not 

 discovered the beds in situ, but considered such a discovery pro- 

 bable. Portions of the blocks had been sent to London for identi- 

 fication, and Mr. R. Tate, F.G.S., ascertained beyond doubt that 

 they belonged to the Middle Lias, hitherto unknown in Ireland, 

 and appertained to the lower division of it. The specimens sub- 

 mitted have enabled Mr. Tate to extend his list of Irish Liassic 



