46 



of the Tigris, and the coast of the Persian Gulf. , With such de- 

 posits some of the more important oilfields of the world are most 

 intimately associated, and we must all wish success to those who 

 are engaged in developing the Egyptian oilfields. The latest 

 reports from Rarquada are most encouraging." 



Speaking of the origin of the Nile Valley, he expressed his 

 opinion that it w T as a valley of erosion — not a " rift " valley, and 

 concluded as follows : — " But the history of the valley has yet to 

 be written. Its formation certainly covers a long period for the 

 lower part of it formed an arm of the sea in Pliocene times. De- 

 posits containing fossils of that period, some of which are allied 

 to forms now living in the Red Sea, are found on its flanks near 

 the Giza pyramids and have been recorded from several other 

 places farther south. 



"T have visited the country on three occasions simply as a 

 tourist, and am therefore largely indebted to the work of others 

 for the facts I have laid before you. I have never spent more 

 delightful holidays. A visit to Egypt seems to lengthen one's 

 life, for every day and all day one meets with novel experiences; 

 and even one travels w 7 ith a personally conducted party, as I did 

 on the first occasion, one has only to ignore some of one's 

 companions to thoroughly enjoy one's self. There is certain^ no 

 other way by which one can see so much of the people, of the 

 archaeology, and of the geology of the country in so short a time." 



xtentifxc attb §£iterarj) fUuniou. 



An important " re-union " took place on Saturday afternoon, 

 June 8, between the Natural Science Society and the Literature 

 and Art Association, and was held in the Municipal College, Lans- 

 downe, from 3 to 6.30 p.m. Numerous members of both bodies 

 attended. A large number of exhibits were show r n. 



By the Zoological Section : — About one-third of the Batley 

 collection of Birds' Eggs, arranged and named by Mr. W. Park- 

 inson Curtis and his brother, Mr. E. Harker Curtis. Local 

 Marine Shells by Mr. T. E. Belcher. 



By the Geological Section : — A selection of the Dent Collec- 

 tion of Barton fossils. Flints, Paleolithic and Neolithic by Mr. 

 J. H. Scott. Flints of the Bronze Age by Mr. Hy. Backhouse. 

 Eolithic Flints by Mr. B. Harrison. Pictures of Paleolithic (Pilt- 

 down Skull), cave, and Neolithic man, enlarged and coloured by 

 Mr. J. H. Scott.. A fine specimen of a stalagmite from the Lamb- 

 ton coal pit, Durham, showing the growth during 60 years, by 

 Mr. Hy. Backhouse. 



By the Botanical Section : — A fine display of wild flowers, 

 arranged by Mrs. Roth well, including a special show of orchids, 



