Minutes of Proceedings. xix 



the coracoid becomes detached, and degenerates into the coracoid 

 process of the adult. 



The lecture was illustrated by a series of diagrams representing 

 the various stages in the evolution. 



Mr. W. L. Sclater gave an address on the " Snakes of South 

 Africa," with special reference to the poisonous species. 



After some remarks on the classification and structure of the 

 Order Ophidia in general, a list of the poisonous species more 

 commonly met with was given with a few notes on their habits 

 and distribution. 



The lecturer concluded with some account of the recent work in 

 connection with snake venom and its antidotes, specially associated 

 with the names of M. Calmette, of the Pasteur Institute at Lille, 

 and M. Phisalix, of Paris. 



Dr. F. C. Pukcell exhibited some reputed venomous spiders and 

 scorpions, and made some remarks thereon. 



Ordinary Monthly Meeting. 



January 27, 1904. 

 Dr. J. D. F. Gilchrist, President, in the Chair. 



Professor Payne was elected ordinary member. 



Dr. Sinclair Stevenson was nominated as ordinary member by 

 Dr. J. D. F. Gilchrist and L. Peringuey. 



A paper on the High-Level Gravels of the Cape Colony and the 

 " Problem of the Karroo Gold " was read by Mr. E. H. L. Schwarz. 



Mr. Schwarz pointed out that the high-level gravels of the Cape 

 Colony are a series of river deposits that are now found perched 

 high up on the tops of hills. When any large tract of country where 

 these occur is looked at from a distance the gravels are seen to rest 

 on a plateau or plain of erosion ; that is to say, the rivers at one 

 time had reached their base-level, and instead of cutting downwards 

 were forced to meander backwards and forwards, reducing all 

 irregularities of the surface to a more or less dead level. On the 

 coast, this was undoubtedly caused by the ground in these remote 

 times having been very much lower, so that the rivers entered the 

 sea on nearly the same level as the high-level flats themselves. 

 Behind the coastal ranges, however, it was probably the bars in 

 the rivers that caused the base-levelling ; most of the great rivers 

 in the western part of the Colony come through poorts in the 



