372 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



These last two hypotheses are too little probable to require much con- 

 sideration. On the whole, the author concludes that the theory of meta- 

 morphism is that which will ultimately commend itself to geologists. 



The author disputed the propriety of attributing these slates and other 

 rocks of Charnwood to the Cambrian period ; all we knew was the fact of 

 the great mass of them being clearly the result of some older condition of 

 the earth. Professor Ansted concluded by pointing out that the existence 

 of any fluid nucleus of the earth, near the surface, or even within many 

 hundred miles, is altogether contradicted by the latest physical investiga- 

 tions ; that the existence of a few good instances of passage-beds from slate 

 to granite is sufficient proof of the possibility of that metamorphosism of 

 which there are so many other indications, and that the study of one small 

 typical district like the one in question is of itself more instructive and 

 useful to the geologist than larger illustrations, though these also must be 

 obtained before he can arrive at any general conclusion. 



The Rocks of the Malvern Hills. By Mr. H. E. Holl. — The au- 

 thor arrived at the following " conclusions :"— 



1. That the metamorphic rocks of the Malverns are probably of Laurentian 

 age. 2. That these Laurentian rocks were above the sea-level during the 

 period of the deposition of the Cambrian system. 3. That previous to, or 

 during the deposition of the Primoidal Zone, the range became depressed. 

 4. That subsequently to this the range was again elevated, and continued 

 so until after the deposition of the Lower Llandovery rocks. 5. That the 

 Upper Llandovery beds were deposited during a period of depression, which 

 depression continued until after the deposition of the Middle Devonian 

 series ; that portion of the range which is between the Wind's Point and 

 the Worcestershire Beacon having been the last to be depressed. 6. That 

 subsequently to the Middle Devonian period the range again became ele- 

 vated, and continued so during the deposition of the Upper Devonian beds, 

 the carboniferous limestone and millstone grit. 7. That this was again 

 followed by gradual depression, during which the coal-measures, the Per- 

 mian system, the Trias and Lias, were deposited. 8. That the eruptions 

 of trap-rock along the range of the Malverns belong to two distinct epochs, 

 the one anterior, the other posterior to the deposition of the Upper Llan- 

 dovery beds. 9. That the age of the faulting of the Upper Silurian and 

 Devonian strata on the western flanks of the range, was after the close of 

 the Middle Devonian period, and dependent on the upthrust of the crystal- 

 line rocks which took place about that time ; but that the age of the great 

 longitudinal fault, on the eastern side of the range, was subsequent to that 

 of the Lias. 



[Sir K. Murchison did not expect that he should live to see the day when these schists, 

 and sandstones, and so forth, should be called Laurentian gneiss. He must protest, in 

 the most energetic manner, against the application of this name to them.] 



Ironstones in the West of England. By Mr. C. Moore. — The 

 paper described in detail the equivalents of the Cleveland Hill ironstones in 

 the West of England, commencing at Lyme Regis, and extending to Yeovil 

 and Bath. 



On the Organic Contents of the Lead Veins of Allenheads 

 and other Lead Veins of Yorkshire. By Mr. C. Moore. — The author 

 thought he need scarcely remark to those who are acquainted with mining 

 operations that the contents of mineral veins are often as varied in their 

 character as they well can be, in general being highly mineralized and 

 dense, at other times varying from a conglomeratic infilling to materials 

 more nearly approaching the sands, marls, and clays of stratified deposits. 



