28 peoceedings of the geoxogical society. [nov. 23, 



November 23, 1870. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. On SOME POINTS of South- African Geology. — Part I. 

 By G. W. Stow, Esq.* 

 (Communicated by Prof. T. Rupert Jones, F.Gr.S.) 

 [Abstract.] 

 In this paper, which was illustrated by numerous sketches, sections, 

 tables, and specimens, observations were made on the stratification 

 of the Jurassic beds of Sunday's and ZwartkojD's rivers, resulting 

 from researches made by Mr. Stow, with the view of determining 

 the exact position of the several species of fossils found at the expo- 

 sures on the cliffs of these rivers, and from this the sequence of the 

 various beds. He indicated the existence of at least nine separate 

 fossiliferous bands, pointing out the relative positions of the several 

 Trigonia-heds, Hamite-beds, Ammonite-beds, &c. 



He next treated of the so-caUed Saliferous beds of the district, and 

 gave his reasons for regarding them as later in age than the Trigonia- 

 sandstones above alluded to, and therefore not equivalent to that 

 part of the series named " Wood-beds " by Dr. Atherstone. 



Other researches of the author related to the Tertiary beds, both 

 inland and on the coast. He distinguished three zones on the coast 

 later in date than the high-level sheU limestones (Pliocene ?) of the 

 Grass Ridge and other parts of the interior. One of the coast-zones 

 he named the AJcera-hed, from the prevalence of a delicate species 

 of that genus. Another zone was described as following the river- 

 valleys in the form of raised terraces, characterized by the presence 

 of a large Panopoeu. The latest shell-banks have been thought to 

 be kitchen-middens ; but the author regarded them as shore-deposits 

 in place. The author concluded by tracing the probable climatal 

 and geographical changes in this region during geological times, 

 and indicated, as far as his material allowed, the probable migrations 

 of the Mollusca, especially of the VenericarcUa characterizing the 

 Pliocene Limestone. 



DisctrssiON. 



Mr. J. GwYN Jeefeets remarked that all the shells belonging to 

 the genus Akera which he had examined were shallow-water or lit- 

 toral shells. 



Dr. Duncan remarked on one of the corals as being of a well- 

 known Crag form, the BalanopliyUia calyculus. 



Mr. Seaeles Wood, Jun., remarked on the importance, if the con- 

 clusions of the author were sustained, of the older post-tertiary beds 

 denoting a warmer climate than the present, instead of, as in the 

 Northern Hemisphere, a colder. 



* The publication of this paper is deferred. 



