408 Chronicles of Science. [July, 



preserved. In these shales numerous small pedunculated radiata 

 (whose external appearance differs from that of any extinct or- 

 ganism hitherto discovered) are found, usually attached to the 

 margins of the polyzoarium of Fenestellse, or in a more or less 

 fragmentary condition amongst the small pieces of broken Polyzoa 

 and Crinoid stems which compose the fossiliferous layers of the 

 shale. 



The attachment is by a dactylose base, which, when broken or 

 cut, is proved to be cellular internally. The base contracts as it 

 increases in height, and is continued upwards in the form of a 

 cylindrical stem, which is faintly enlarged in its middle portion, 

 and which is surmounted by a symmetrical structure resembling a 

 reversed obtuse cone, the margin of whose base is prolonged into 

 several tentacular processes, which are arranged in one whorl, and 

 are long, slender, and tapering. The upper surface of the body is 

 granular, and the stem is ornamented with longitudinal flutings and 

 minute processes. The general appearance is that of a long straight- 

 armed star-fish reversed and fixed on a stiff stem with an expanded 

 base. The authors enter carefully into the minute anatomy ; they 

 then proceed to show why it is inadmissible as an Echinoderm, a 

 Polyzoan, or a Zoantharian, and finally, through having so re- 

 markable a calcareous investment, they show that by the aid of the 

 anomalous living genus Bimeria (Wright) they are able to over- 

 come the difficulty and refer it to the Hydrozoa. It is therefore 

 placed in the class Hydrozoa and in the Order Tubular idse, of which 

 it will constitute a new family and at present a singular genus. 

 Two species are described and figured by the authors. It is extremely 

 probable that other new and interesting forms may be discovered in 

 these shales, but hardly possible that anyone will be able, like the 

 authors of this paper, to lis:ht upon a new class of fossils. 



Mr. \V. T. Blanford, F.G.S., late Geologist to the Abyssinian 

 Expedition, has given us the result of his observations on the 

 Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia, made during the progress of 

 the British Expedition to that country in 1867-68.* 



The author was detached from the Geological Survey in India 

 in 1867, and started for Abyssinia. 



The formations met with throughout the region traversed were : 

 — 1. Becent : consisting of soils of the highlands, including "regur," 

 or cotton-soil, similar to that found in India, and alluvial deposits 

 on the coast. 2. The volcanic series, which skirts both coasts in 

 the southern portion of the Bed Sea. This group, which is but 

 poorly developed on the west coast of Annesley Bay, Mr. Blanford 

 proposes to call the Aden Volcanic series. 3. Trappean series. This 

 grand collection of beds, which forms the Abyssinian highlands, in- 

 cluding Magdala and the Ashangi groups, consists of two divisions, 

 * Macmillan and Co. : London, 1870. 



