Proceedings of Learned Societies. 463 



munication was to discuss the structure and origin of the crystalline 

 rocks of the Malvern Hills, to give the results of an examination 

 of the superposed Palasozoic strata, and to state the chronological 

 relationship of the several events in their geological history. 



It was concluded that the rocks hitherto treated of as syenite, 

 and supposed to form the axis of the range of hill, are in reality 

 of metamorphic origin, consisting of gneiss (both micaceous and 

 hornblendic), mica-schist, hornblende-schist, etc., all invaded by 

 veins of granite and trap-rocks. It was then shown that the Holly- 

 bush Sandstone is the equivalent of the Middle Lingula-flags, and 

 that the overlying black shales correspond with the Upper Lingula- 

 beds, the whole being overlaid, as in Wales, by Dictyonema-shales. 

 These rocks, on the east of the Herefordshire Beacon, are altered 

 by trap-dykes, which were shown to be of later date than those 

 traversing the crystalline rocks before alluded to. Allusion was 

 next made to the Upper Llandovery strata, which overlie uncon- 

 formably the Primordial rocks just noticed ; after which the several 

 faults in the district were described in detail. 



Dr. Holl concluded with some remarks on the general relations 

 of the rocks of the Malvern Hills with those of the surrounding 

 districts, describing the successive physical changes supposed to 

 have been consequent upon their deposition and their subsequent 

 elevations and depressions. 



Specimens of the new mineral termed Langite, a basic sulphate 

 of copper, were exhibited by Professor Maskelyne. 



ROYAL SOCIETY.— June 9. 



Human Remains in the Cavern op Bruniquel. — Professor Owen 

 described his investigations in the cavern at Bruniquel, in which 

 human remains occur, with those of extinct and other animals, both 

 being associated with bone and fliut implements. Professor Owen 

 argued that these human and extinct animal remains were contem- 

 poraneous, as shown by their relative position in this cavern, and by 

 the similarity in their chemical composition. 



The remains found in this cavern were those of numerous indi- 

 viduals, the skulls corresponding more closely to the Celtic type 

 than to any other known form. As, in most primitive races, the 

 digestibility of the food appeared to be but little aided by the pro- 

 cess of cooking, as the molars were worn down to the stumps far 

 beyond the enamel, exposing the osteo dentine, which, however, 

 did not show any signs of decay. 



Microscopic Soiree at Apothecaries' Hall. — The Master and 

 "Wardens of the Apothecaries' Company, gave a very successful and 

 numerously attended scientific entertainment on the 31sfc of May. 

 All the principal makers of microscopes were well represented on 



