PROCEEDINGS OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 
413 
May 30, 1S60. 
1. " On certain Rocks of Miocene and Eocene age in Tuscany, including 
Serpentine, accompanied by Copper-ore, Lignite, and Alabaster." By W. P. 
Jcrvis, Esq., F.G.S. 
Tlircc distinct eruptions of scrpcntinous igneous rocks Lave been recognized 
by tlic Italian geologists ; two arc considered to have occurred in Tertiary 
times, and one previously in the Mesozoic period : dykes of diorite (also of 
Tertiary age) are more rare in the same geographical area. Erom the abundant 
occurrence of these ernpt ivc locks, and the extensive development of Miocene 
strata, unknown in England, arise many pecidarities of Tuscan geology and 
mineralogy. 1st. The diallagic serpentine has pierced the Upper Cretaceous 
beds, but does not enclose any fragments of Tertiary rocks, it is non-metalli- 
ferous, and is employed in arcliitectiu'C. 2ndly. The euphotide or " grauitone," 
is unfit for building purposes. The contact of this with the diallagic serpentine 
has metamorphosed tlie latter into the curiously marked " Ranoechiaja," 3rdly. 
Diorite, penetrating the euphotide, and, like it, belonghig to the Eocene age. 
This and the serpentine acting on the " Macigno' has produced the " Gabbro 
rosso." 4thly. " Gabbro verde," or serpentine, without diallage, of Miocene 
age. This is much softer than the diallagic serpentine. It forms dykes ; but 
more generally it is the axial nucleus of hills and mountains, the strata of which 
are much disturbed. In most eases the serpentine rocks, piercing the sediiiH'n- 
tary strata, have upheaved them from aU sides . to this remarkable speciei^ of 
axis the author proposes the term periclinal, indicating that tlie strata fall off 
in every direction. The limestones are often altered by the serpentine into 
dolomite (Miemmite), and are otlier\nse variously affected Near Matarana a 
mouse coloured limestone is changed (by the alteration of the carbonate of iron 
to a peroxide) into a brick-red marble, often breeciated and veined with serpen- 
tine and calc-spar (Ofiocalee") 
June 13, 18G0. 
1. "On the Ossiferous Caves of the Peninsular of Gower, in Glamorganshire, 
South Wales." By H. Falconer, M.D., F.R.S., F.G.S. With an Appendix by 
J. Prestwich, Esq., F.R.S., Trccis. G.S., "On a Raised Beach in Mewslade 
Bay, and the oecurreuce of the Boidder-clay on Cefn-y-bryn, in Gower. 
This communication was a summary of researches made during the last three 
years by the author and Lieut. -Col. Wood, F.G.S. The known bone-caves of 
GoM-er, (of which Paviland, Spritsail Tor, and Bacon Hole have abeady supplied 
Dr. Buekland and others to some extent with materials for the history of tlie 
Cave-period) are in the Carboniferous Limestone ; and, with the exception of 
that of Spritsail Tor, which is on the west coast of the peninsula, they all occur 
between the Mumbles and the Worm's Head. The most important are " Bacon 
Hole," " Minchin Hole," "Boseo's Den," "Bowen's Parlour," "Crow Hole," 
"Raven's CUff Cavern," and lastly the well-known "Paviland Caves." Bone- 
caves at the Mumbles, in Caswell Bay and in Oxwich Bay formerly existed ; 
but the sea has destroyed them. One cavern named "Ram Tor" between 
Caswell Bay and the Mumbles, presumed to be ossiferous, remains unexplored. 
Before describing the bone-caves, the author briefly noticed that which Mr. 
Prestwich had lately traced, a raised beach and talus of breccia, for a mde along 
Mewslade Bay, westward of Paviland ; and he pointed out their important 
relationship to the marine sands and overlying limestone-breccia found in several 
of the Gower Caves. Some patches of Boulder-clay had also been found by 
Mr. Prestwich, on the highlands of Gower, and in Rhos Sili Bay. 
" Bacon Hole" was first treated of. On the limestone floor of the cave are, — 
(1) a few inches of marine sand, abounding with Litorina rudis, L. liioralis, and 
