236  Geological  Society : — 
of  these  gravels.  The  author  concluded  that  a  large  proportion  of 
these  materials  have  travelled  long  distances,  probably  from  the 
Draakensberg  range ;  but,  whether  the  original  matrix  of  the  dia- 
monds is  to  be  found  in  the  distant  mountains  or  at  intermediate 
spots  in  the  valleys,  the  worn  and  crushed  condition  of  some  of  the 
diamonds  indicates  long  travel,  probably  with  ice-action.  Polished 
rock-surfaces  and  striated  boulders,  seen  by  Mr.  Gilfillan,  were 
quoted  in  corroboration  of  this  view. 
Nov.  22,  1871.— The  Rev.  Thomas  Wiltshire,  M.A.,  F.L.S., 
in  the  Chair. 
The  following  communications  were  read : — 
1.  "  Notes  on  some  Fossils  from  the  Devonian  rocks  of  the 
Witzenberg  Flats,  Cape  Colony."     By  Prof.  T.  Rupert  Jones,  F.G.S. 
In  this  paper  the  author  noticed  some  Devonian  fossils  like  those 
of  the  Bokkeveld,  found  on  Mr.  Louw's  farm  on  the  Witzenberg 
Flats,  Tulbagh.  Orthoceras  vittatum,  Sandberger,  was  added  to  the 
South-African  list  of  fossils.  The  fossils  under  notice  were  stated 
by  the  author  to  help  to  substantiate  the  late  Dr.  Rubidge's  view, 
that  the  old  schists  termed  "  Silurian "  by  Bain  are  of  Devonian 
age,  and  continuous  across  the  Colony.  Their  presence  in  the 
Witzenberg  Flats  was  also  shown  to  be  conclusive  against  the  idea 
of  Coal-measures  being  found  there. 
2.  "  On  the  Geology  of  Fernando  Noronha  (S.  lat.  3°  50',  W. 
long.  32°  50')."  By  Alexander  Rattray,  M.D.  (Edin.),  Surgeon 
R.N.     Communicated  by  Prof,  Huxley,  F.R.S.,  V.P.G.S. 
The  author  described  the  general  geological  structure  of  Fernando 
Noronha  and  the  smaller  islands  which  form  a  group  with  it.  The 
surface-rock  was  described  as  a  coarse  conglomerate,  composed  of 
rounded  basaltic  boulders  and  pebbles,  in  a  hard,  dark-red,  clayey 
matrix.  This  overlies  a  hard,  dark,  fine-grained  basalt,  which 
forms  the  most  striking  of  the  bluffs,  cliffs,  and  outlying  rocks.  The 
highest  peaks  in  the  group  consist  of  a  fine-grained,  light-grey 
granite.  The  author  remarked  upon  the  possible  relation  of  the 
geology  of  these  islands  to  that  of  the  neighbouring  continent  of 
South  America,  and  stated  that  there  is  evidence  of  the  islands 
having  been  elevated  to  some  extent  at  a  comparatively  recent  period. 
3.  "  Note  on  some  Ichthyosaurian  remains  from  Kimmeridge 
Bay,  Dorset."     By  J.  W.  Hulke,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  F.G.S. 
The  author  noticed  some  teeth  found,  with  a  portion  of  an  Ich- 
thyosaurian skull,  in  the  Kimmeridge  Clay  of  Dorsetshire.  The 
fragments  of  the  snout  were  said  to  indicate  that  it  was  about  three 
feet  long,  and  proportionally  stout.  The  author  indicated  the  charac- 
ters by  which  these  teeth  were  distinguishable  from  those  of  various 
known  species  of  Ichthyosaurus,  and  stated  that  they  approached 
most  closely  to  those  of  the  Cretaceous  /.  campylodon. 
4.  "  Appendix  to  a  '  Note  on  a  new  and  un described  Wealden 
Vertebra,'  read  9th  February,  1870,  and  published  in  the  Quarterly 
Journal  for  August  in  that  year."  By  J.  W.  Hulke,Esq.,  F.R.S.,  F.G.S. 
The  author  generically  identified  this  vertebra  with  Ornithopsis, 
