PROCEEDINaS OF GEOIXXJICAL SOCIETIES. 
G9 
panics and causes this molecular action, seems to result from these 
primary causes. As, therefore, on tho whole, the chemical and 
mineralogical composition of rocks varies little, and as it is easy to 
see that one and tho same mineral may have had, at times an aqueous 
origin, at times an igneous one, we have no reason to be surprised if 
it is not always possible to trace the rigid limit between rocks which, 
at first sight, seem the most opposite, such as those engendered by 
heat or by water." 
PROCEEDINGS OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 
Geological Societt oy London, Januartj 4, 1860. — Prof. J. PhiUips, 
President, in the Chair. 
The following commimications ■were read : — 
1. " On the Plora of the Silurian, Devonian, and Lower Carboniferous Por- 
mations." By Prof. H. R. Goeppert, For. Mem. G.S. 
2. " On the Freshwater Deposits of Bessarabia, Moldavia, Wallachia, and 
Bidgaria." By Capt. T. Spratt, B.N., C.B, P.R.S., P.G.S. 
3. " On the Rhizopodal Faima of the Mediterranean compared with that of 
some of the Italian and other Tertiary deposits." By T. Rupert Jones, F.G.S., 
and W. K. Parker, Mem. Micr. Soc. 
The authors presented an extensive table of the Species and varieties of re- 
cent Foraminifera from several localities in the Mediterranean (worked out 
from material gathered and dredged by Capt. Spratt, Mr. Hamilton, Prof. 
Meneghini and other friends), and of the fossU forms from the Tertiai-y deposits 
of Malaga (Spain), Tui-iii, Sieima, Palermo, and Malta (communicated by Prof. 
Ansted, Prof. Menegliini, and the Marchese C. Strozzi, or supplied from the 
Society's Museuju) ; also the fossU Forami?iifera from Baljik supplied by Capt. 
Spratt, and those of the Vienna Basin as elaborated by D'Orbigny, Czjeck, and 
Reuss. The recent Foraminlfera, tabulated in eleven columns, were illustrative 
of the range of the respective species and varieties in different zones of sea- 
depth, from the shore to one thousand seven hundred fathoms, and of the rela- 
tive size of the individuals, and of their proportional paucity or abundance. 
Among the seventeen columns of fossU Foraminifera, some were very rich in 
species and varieties, especially in the case of the Siennese clays, the Malaga 
clay, aud the Yieuna basin. From the evidence afforded by the comparison of 
the fossil with the recent Foraminifera, the Siennese blue clays of S. Cerajolo, 
S. Donnino, S, Lazaro, and Coroncino were regarded as having been deposited 
in various depths of from forty to one hundred fathoms ; so also the clay -beds 
of Malaga and of the Vienna basin. A blue clay from S. Qiiirico was probably 
formed m about two hundred fathoms; a blue clay from Pescajo, on the con- 
trary, was the deposit of a shallow estuary. A sand from Pienza, and others 
from Montipob, Castel'Arquato, and San Frediano, contain Ampkidpcjina, 
and were probably deposited in from ten to twenty fathoms water. As the 
AmpMstegina appears now to be extinct as regards the Mediterranean, these 
Amphistegina-beds, and others at Palermo and in the Vienna Basin, may be of 
miocene age. Another Sieunese clay from Monti Aiioso is of shallow water 
