so-called * Eozoonal Rocks. 3 237 



that the serpentinous rocks of Canada were once earthy amorphous 

 silicates, and afterwards metamorphosed, but who now supposes they 

 were deposited in a crystalline state ; and they asked why, if so, may 

 not all the Laurentian rocks have been so deposited? In conclusion, 

 they totally denied that Eozoonal structure has anything to do with 

 any organism ; and repeated that, like all analogous conditions of 

 serpentine, chondrodite, &c, it is of purely mineral origin. 



Dr. Carpenter need not repeat the grounds on which he regarded 

 this as an organic structure. He objected to criticisms unless founded 

 on examination of actual specimens. Sir Wm. Logan had been first 

 led to regard the Eozoon as organic by finding alternations of cal- 

 careous and siliceous layers in various minerals. A specimen which 

 Sir William had brought from Canada contained much iron, and had 

 the canal system wonderfully preserved ; and it presented this cha- 

 racter — that the larger branches were infiltrated with serpentine, 

 and the middle branches with sulphide of iron, while the smallest 

 branches were filled with carbonate of lime, of the same nature as 

 the matrix. It was only under a favourable light that these smaller 

 tubes were visible, as the calcite in them was of the same crystalline 

 character as the surrounding network. This was conclusive evidence 

 of the structure not arising from the mere infiltration of one chemical 

 substance into another. Moreover this foreign matter could not 

 penetrate the cleavage-planes. 



When cut, some specimens had given out a strong odour of musk, 

 which they to some extent still retained. This, again, seemed to be 

 evidence of organic origin. He regretted that Prof. King had not 

 examined the large collection of specimens in his (Dr. Carpenter's) 

 collection. Recent Foraminifera, when decalcified, exhibited pre- 

 cisely the same asbestiform layer round the chamber-cast as the 

 fossil Eozoon. Different genera of Foraminifera in recent seas were 

 infiltrated by different minerals, which presented some analogy with 

 the condition of the fossil under consideration. In the great seas 

 of the present day, at various depths and temperatures, was a large 

 extension of sarcodic substance, and in this there were Ehizopods 

 with and without shells, but of similar low structure ; and such 

 forms might have continued in existence through any length of time, 

 so that the occurrence of Eozoon so far down as Jurassic times could 

 afford no matter for surprise. He would not be astonished even if 

 such a structure as Eozoon were found in deep-sea dredgings of the 

 present day. 



The President mentioned the Baihybius, which he has found 

 with coccoliths and other forms in deep-sea soundings. In some 

 newer specimens of Atlantic mud given him by Dr. Carpenter he 

 had found Bathybius forming a sort of network, somewhat similar 

 to the plasmodia of botanists. He could not call it either plant or 

 animal. It was, however, a living substance, susceptible of appa- 

 rently indefinite growth. This removed one of the difficulties in 

 believing in the wide extension of the Eozoon. The Hydrographer 

 had since sent him the soundings taken, by Captain Shortland in 

 ' The Hydra.' In soundings from 2800 fathoms in the Arabian 



