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THli GEOLOGIST. 



tween these ribs are numerous fine oval punctures. The number of 

 chambers in the specimens vary; but in one case they are 42 in number. 

 The transverse plates are convex outwards, like those of the genus am- 

 monites ; and the projecting collars, which supported the siphuncle, 

 extend outwards and not inwards, as in the nautilus. The orifices for 

 the passage of the siphuncle are in the centre of the transverse plates, 

 like those of the nautilus, and not in the side, like those of the ammonites. 

 As yet^ I have not been able to discover any part of the siphuncle itself, 

 although there can be no doubt but that one existed ; as the collars are 

 seen projecting outwards, in one of my specimens. The outside of the 

 shell is much thicker, in proportion to the transverse plates, than in the 

 nautilus. The shell appears to me to be a new genus, partly resembling 

 a nautilus, and partly an ammonite, but diflfering in some respects from 

 both. There are at least three species of this shell. From the shells, 

 and the description of the deposit, there is no doubt but that the strata 

 at A.delaide, where the specimens were procured from, v/as the lower 

 portion of the great fossil formation, mentioned by Governor Gawler. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



January 5th. 1842. — R. J. Murchison, Esq., President, 

 in the chair ; the following communications were read : — 



1. — On the fossil bones, found on the surface of a raised 

 beach^ at the Hoe^ near Plymouth^ by Dr. Moore, 



The author proves in this paper, that these bones are of re- 

 mote origin, and that no human agency could have placed them 

 in their present position. 2nd. That their situation, being 

 on a modern beach_, could not be confounded with a dilu- 

 vial, or drift accumulation. 3rd. That as no evidences of 

 glacial action existed in the neighbouring district, the beach 

 could not have been formed by this agency ; and lastly, 

 he concludes, that the beach was raised above the level of 

 the sea, most probal)ly at a period more recent, than the 

 time of the disappearance of the animals, wdiose bones are 

 found upon it. 



2. — An account of the contortions and faults produced in 

 the strata underneath and adjacent to the great embankment, 

 across the valley of the Brent, on the line of the Great 

 Western Railway, by Mr, Coult hurst. 



