PKOCKEDIXllS OF CKDl.OGIOAL SOCIE'l'lES. 
The majority of those in the first class are on a level with the 
water, whilst the remainder are elevated above, varying from a few 
to upwards of sixty feet. 
In tlie second class the level varies, but neai'ly all are above that 
of the sea, and, as will presently be described, none penetrate the 
eai-th to a considerable depth ; but this may be found to be othei'wise 
as the explorations are continued. In none have animal remains 
been found, excepting in one instance, and they were discovei'ed 
loose and not imbedded in stalagmite ; and so far as I am aware, not 
a single object, such as a flint arrow-head or spear, used by the 
ancient inhabitants of the country, has been observed. This circum- 
stance may in some measure detract from the present communica- 
tion ; that paT"t of the inquiry has still to be worked out, as many of 
the caverns have been but very partially explored, indeed some have 
scarcely been examined, and as several of them branch off by means 
of fissures and galleries, running from distinct chambers (most of 
the latter containing stalagmite) we may yet hope for interesting- 
discoveries, particularly in that district of country in which exist the 
huge caverns of Mono and Eramosa in the Niagara limestone rocks 
of the Upper Silurian formation. The researches of my fnend, Mr. 
Sterry Hunt, of the Canadian Geological Survej', have shown that 
these limestones are essentially dolomitic, and thus perhaps favour- 
ably constituted for the development of caverns. 
(To be continued.) 
PROCEEDINGS OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 
Geological Society of London, Febntary 29, I860.— L. Horner, Esq., 
President, iu the Cliair. 
" On the Lower Lias of the South of England." By Dr. T. Wright, E.G.S. 
The author first stated that the uppermost beds of the Lower Lias are those 
coutaining Hippopodium ponderomm, and tliat the lowest beds are those witli 
Amiiioiiites Plaiwrbis, overlyuig a series of strata containing Estltena, &c., 
which he separates from the Lias, under the name of the Amcula contorta 
beds. The last rest on the grey and red marls of the Keuper. 
Dr. Wright then proceeded with tlie description of the A. contorta beds, in- 
cluding the " Bone-bed," having first enumerated the authors who have written 
on these and the equivalent strata (Kossener, Shichteu, etc.,) on the Continent. 
The sections at Garden Chff, near Westbury on the Severn, at Wainlode Cliff, 
at Anst Cliff, at Penarth, near Cardiff, at UphiU near Weston-super-Mare, at 
Culverhole near Axmouth, at Wilmcote and Binton near Stratford-on-Av'on, 
were described in detail as illustrating this series; and General Portlock's 
section of tliese beds in the North of Ireland was also alluded to. Pecfen. 
