48 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



The footsteps from the Cummiiigstoii quarries were next described. The 

 largest yet seen by the author are eight or nine niches long, but the majority are 

 much smaller. Prof Huxley expressed his opinion that all the tracks vrhich he 

 had seeu were referable to variously-sized individuals of one and the same species 

 of reptile ; and he described at length the only perfect impressions he had observed, 

 the one of a fore-, the other of a hind-foot. The impression of the fore-foot, pre- 

 sented a broad, oval palmar depression, ending in five digits, of which the inner- 

 most, representing the thumb, was very broad and short. Each of the outer digits 

 was terminated by a long and tapering claw, and there wTre clear traces of a web- 

 like membrane uniting these digits as far forwards as the bases of the ungual 

 phalanges. The innermost digit or thumb is directed inwards, as w^ell as forwards, 

 and appears to have been furnished wdth a thick, short, and much curved nail. 



The impression of tlie hind-foot is smaller than that of the fore-foot, to which, 

 however, it has a general resemblance. It exhibits only four digits, aU termi- 

 nating in taper claw\s and united by a web. Tliere are indications of a rudimentary 

 outer toe. In one track, wdiere the impression of the fore-foot measured three 

 inches, the stride was twelve inclies. 



The impressions might very well have been made by such an animal as Stago- 

 nolepis, with the ungual phalanges of which, indeed, the claw-marks of the foot- 

 steps present a close resemblance, wdiile the shortness and breadth of the palmar 

 and plantar impressions harmonize very well with the proportions of the metatarsal 

 or metacarpal bone. 



In tlie course of his remarks, the author took occasion to express his gTeat 

 obligations to INIr. Patrick Duff and the Rev. George Gordon for their zealous and 

 most efficient aid, without wdiich it would have been ci[uite impossible for him to 

 lay so complete a case before the Society. 



[This paper was illustrated by original sketches, and by a fine series of tracks 

 from Ciuinningston and of natural and artificial casts and models of the remains 

 of the St agonal ejj is (including the specimen originally figured), from the collections 

 of Mr. P. Duff", the Rev. G. Gordon, the Museum of Practical Geology, &c.] 



4. " On Fossil Footprints in the Old Red Sandstone, at Cummingston." By 

 S. H. Beckles, Esq. F.G.S. 



JMr. Beckles, during a late tour through the Highlands, examined the Sandstone- 

 quarries at Covesea, near Elgin ; and having exposed and removed several square 

 yards of the Sandstone-slabs bearing fossil footprints at this place, has sent a 

 large collection of them to London, but has not yet had the opportunity of study- 

 ing them in detail. Mr. Beccles says that lie has secured several varieties of foot- 

 steps, difteriiig in size and form, and in the number of the claws, which vary 

 apparently from tw^o to five. One footprint, of a circular shape, measured fifteen 

 inches in breadtli. Some of tlie smaller footprints are evidently formed by young 

 indi^•iduals of the same species that made some of the larger marks. Some of the 

 prints have been left, in the author's opinion, by web-footed animals. 



Most of the surface-planes of the rock, at different levels, bear footmarks. The 

 majority of the tracks, JMr. Beckles says, are uniserial, the double (or quadrupedal) 

 series being exceptional. 



Mr. Beckles noticed also impressions of rain-prints well-marked on some of tlie 

 surfiice-planes, and indicating the direction of the wind blowing at the time of the 

 rain-fall. 



GeolootIsts' Association. — A meeting was held at No. 2, Upper Welling-ton- 

 street, Strand, on Friday evening, the 17tli Decemlier, 1S5S, for the purpose of 

 organizing a new society to promote the study of Geology, and its allied sciences. 



The means proposed are the holding of periodical meetings for reading and dis- 

 cussing papers, and the exhibition of specimens, arrangements for facilitating 

 the exchange of specimens between distant members, the formation of a typical 

 collection of fossils suited to the wants of students, the establishment of a library 

 of reference, and the delivery of short courses of lectures. 



It was announced, in the course of the proceedings, that 120 applications for 

 membership had been already received. 



The first meeting- for actual work will take place early in January, wlien an in- 

 augural address will be delivered by the President, and more detailed plans will 

 be stated. 



