1868.] BATJERirAiir — Arabia petrjsa. 17 



of similar fascicles in different genera might be explained in the 

 opposite way to that which the author adopted, and that they might 

 bo considered evidence of genetic connexion, subsequent variations 

 having produced differences of generic value. 



Mr. GrWYivr Jeffreys also considered that every paleeontologist 

 ought to be a naturalist, as the fossil and recent forms are inti- 

 mately connected by insensible gradations. All the Eclihiocanlia 

 with which he was acquainted were inhabitants of clean sand. 



Dr. Dcris-cAx, in reply, stated that if the Spatangidse were classi- 

 fied, generic distinctions would be observed quite irrespective of the 

 presence of fascioles. He considered the fascicles, like the horns of 

 Mammalia, of third-rate structural importance. One specimen from 

 Arabia appeared to have a fascicle developing. He remarked that 

 all the fossils were of the same size, so that it was impossible to 

 determine whether the formation of fascioles was dependent on 

 embryonic conditions, or whether they were developed in the perfect 

 animal. 



December 9th, 1868. 



Arthur Champernowne, Esq., M.A., Dartington Hall, Totnes, 

 Devon ; James Thomson, Esq., Glasgow ; W. Chandler Roberts, 

 Esq., E.C.S., Associate of the Koyal School of Mines, Thurlow Place, 

 Dulwich; John S. Winbott, Esq., M.A., Sandridge Yicarage, St. 

 Albans ; Lawrence Preston, Esq., Keynshambury House, Chelten- 

 ham ; John H. Blake, Esq., Geological Survey of England and 

 Wales, 9 Aberdeen Park, Highbury, IS'. ; John Hewitt Wheatley, 

 Esq., Abbey Yiew, Sligo ; Owen Rees, Esq., 2Q Albemarle Street, 

 W., and Octavius Eussell Eabian, Esq., 5 Bruce Terrace, Lordship 

 Lane, Tottenham, were elected Fellows. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. Note on a Geological IlEco>rN'AissA^^CE made in Arabia PEiRiEA in 

 the Sjyring of 1868. By H. Bauermajt, Esq., E.G.S., Assoc. Eoy. 

 School of Mines. 



[Plate I.] 



The following communication is of an essentially unsystematic nature. 

 Owing to the small amount of country traversed, it has not been 

 possible to construct anything more than a single line of section, 

 which it is believed will be more acceptable as a contribution to exact 

 Geology than an attempt to frame a general geological map of the 

 whole country from observations made at only a few points. The 

 order followed is, therefore, that in which the sections were observed, 

 making it, as the title implies, more of a geological itinerary than a 

 systematic description. 



The country included in the description is that between Suez and 

 the lower part of AYady Eerran, the crystalline rocks of Sinai and 

 the Tertiary beds near Tur being reserved for another communica- 



VOL. XXV.— PART I, C 



