REPORTS FROM THE SECTIONS. 275° 
large “stools,” known by geologists as sigillarie. This is the 
fossil form of the trunk or stem of a tree which grew duri 
age in which the coal measures were deposited, and its genus con- 
tributed more than any other to the formation of coal, but it 
differed much from the forest trees such as we are acquain 
with in these days. Dr. Hooker suggested that it probably 
belonged to the tree ferns found in tropical and semi-tropical . 
countries. It being a very rare occurrence, all desired to have a 
tawing made, when Mr. G. Emlrey (master of the Gloucester 
School of Science), accompanied by a few friends, visited the pit 
for the purpose of making some photographs of it. The dry plate 
process was employed, and the subject was lit by the use of magne- 
slum wire—certainly the photographs of such a subject were more 
valuable than mere hand drawings. 
think if we 
keep within the acknowledged description of fine art, we shall find 
it to be one. The fine arts, as generally understood, eae Tm 
i ill, more 
eally fine art, or should we 
take our standing-point from nature herself? For my own part I 
from Mr. Ruskin’s estimation of art when he says, “ Art 
should be full of truth or full of use ;” or again, “ Let me finally 
tell_you, and with all distinctness possible to me, that the main 
business of art is the service it renders in the actual uses of daily 
life.” I think it a degradation to art if its sole object is simply to 
‘MHhe also pl: ‘onal. s whi i their use, and hence, 
in fine art, an imitation is something independent of and different 
hy 
