Geological Society. 167 



potential, spherical harmonics, the principles of D'Alembert and 

 Hamilton, and Lagrange's dynamical equations. Section III. 

 deals with the mathematical theories of electricity aud magnetism : 

 electrostatics and the problems connected with it, problems in 

 magnetic induction, electrokinetics, electrolytic conduction, steady 

 electric currents, conduction in sheets and solids, and the theory 

 of electrolytic phenomena. Problems on electromagnetic waves 

 and the propagation of currents along cables are not dealt with in 

 this section, as they are, no doubt, reserved for treatment in the 

 second volume, which is to be devoted to the theory of heat, 

 wave-theory, elasticity, and hydrodynamics. 



The book is an important and timely contribution to the 

 literature of the subject. In one or two cases, indeed, the 

 treatment would seem to be capable of improvement. Thus, in 

 considering the problem of the potential of an ellipsoid, the 

 author simply writes down the potential functions, and shows 

 that they satisfy the required conditions. Although this mode of 

 treatment is, no doubt, commendable on the score of brevity, it is 

 hardly satisfying to the mind of the student, who is more con- 

 cerned to know how the functions in question were obtained, than 

 that they furnish a solution of the problem. Such a method, in 

 fact, savours too much of a mere conjuring trick, and cannot be 

 considered to have much educational value. 



Among minor blemishes we may note that the names of English 

 physicists appear to be frequently mis-spelt. 



In the last section of the book Professor Weber has embodied 

 some of his own researches, more particularly in connexion with 

 electrolytic conduction — a subject which does not lend itself very 

 readily to mathematical treatment. All students of physics will feel 

 grateful to Professor Weber for having undertaken the task — an ex- 

 ceedingly arduous one — of bringing Eiemann's book up to date, aud 

 for having so admirably carried out the first portion of the work. 



XIV. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



[Continued from ser. 5. vol. 1. p. 536.] 

 June 6th, 1900 (con.).— J. J. H. Teall, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., President, 

 in the Chair. 



2. ' Note on the Consolidated iEolian Sands of Kathiawar.' By 

 Frederick Chapman, Esq., A.L.S., F.R.M.S. 



The name miliolite- formation was originally given by Dr. II, 

 J. Carter to certain granular calcareous deposits occurring on the 

 coast-line between the peninsula of India and the mouth of the Indus. 

 The foraminifera and other organic remains in the rocks must have 

 inhabited moderately shallow to littoral marine areas. The minute 

 granules are worn and polished; the prevailing genera of foraminifera 

 are roundish, and would be easily moved by wind ; remains of 

 larger organisms are absent ; and the deposits are false-bedded. All 

 these phenomena are explicable if the deposits represent the 

 accumulation of material derived from littoral calcareous sand of 



