260 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
In Nova Scotia these older coal-measures, as compared with the true coal- 
measures, are more calcareous, more rich in remains of fishes, and have fewer 
vegetable remains, and indications of terrestrial surfaces. They occur generally 
along- the margins of the coal-areas, near their old shores ; and, as miglit be ex- 
pected under such circumstances, they are associated with or replaced by beds of 
conglomerate derived ft-om the neighbourmg highlands of Devonian or Silurian 
rocks. When the conglomerates are absent, alternations of sandstones with sandy 
and calcareous shales occm', wath frequent changes in character of the organic 
remains ; the general aspect being that of muddy estuarine deposits, accumulated 
very slowly, and discoloured by decaying organic substances. The supply of sedi- 
ment, and the growth and preservation of vegetable matter, appear to have been 
generally on a smaller scale in this early carboniferous period than subsequently. 
In those districts where the true coal-measures are least developed, the lower 
series is most important ; showing that the physical and vital conditions of the 
Coal-measures originated as early as those of Mountain-limestone ; and that locally 
these considerations may have been contemporaneous throughout the whole period ; 
but that in some localities the estuary and swamp deposits first formed were com- 
pletely submerged and covered by oceanic deposits, whilst in others early marine 
beds were elevated and sulijected to the conditions of gradual subsidence and vege- 
table growths indicated in the great coal-measm-es of the South Joggius, Pictou, 
and Sidney. 
In Nova Scotia the Lower Coal-measures are characterized by a great prepon- 
derance of Lepidodendra (especially L, eUgans) and FoaciUs. The Middle Coal- 
measures are rich in Sigilhtria: and Ferns, as well as Lepidodendra. The Upper 
Coal-measures especially abound in Conifers, Calamites, and Ferns. Falivoniscus, 
Gyrolcpis or Acrokpis, Centrodus, Rhizodus, and Cienacantlim are the chief fossil 
fishes of this Lower Carboniferous series. Unio-like shells are nearly the only 
remains of jMoUuscs. 
4. " On the Structure of Stiymaria ficoidcs," By E. W. Binncy, Esq., F.G.S. 
The author, having lately met with several specimens of this singular root 
wliicli exhibit good structural characters, was enabled in this paper to throw some 
additional light on tlie origin of the medullary rays in Siigmaria, the natm-e of 
the vascular bundles which were believed to be dispersed throughout its pith, and 
the structure of the central or vascular portion of its rootlet, — points of consider- 
able interest, and which up to the present time have not been well determined. 
Mr. Binney confirms Dr. Hooker's view of the medullary rays having originated 
in the cellular axis of the stem. The axis, in one of the author's specimens, is 
seen to be filled with eleven or twelve large vessels, each about 1-lOth of an inch 
in diameter, and having very thick walls ; these ehmgated utricles lie close together, 
are not dispersed in a cellular tissue, are somewhat similar to those described by 
M. Brongniart as occurring in the woody part of Siyilkiria elegans. In a rootlet 
Mr. Binney finds evidence of an outer ring of fine celhdar tissue, three or four 
cells broad, and in the centre of the middle space twenty-seven large, and eleven 
smaller vessels, forming a mass of vascular tissue l-90th of an inch in diameter, 
the vessels or utricles being distinctly marked with transverse stri;e. 
5. "On a New Fossil Fem from Worcestershire." By John Morris, Esq., F.G.S. 
A few fragments of fern-leaflets, found by Mr. G. Boberts, of Kidderunnster, in 
a micaceous sandstone about two miles north-east of Bewdley, cxibit a reticulate 
venation ; a character comparatively rare in the Coal-measures. These specimens 
are but fragments of the frond ; and the one particularly referred to is probably 
the terminal part of a pinna. The author doubtfidly referred it to the geims 
Woodicardites, with the specific name Rohertsi. 
May 12, 1858. — 1. " On some of the (Jlacial Phenomena of Canada and of the 
North-eastern Provinces of the United States during the Driit-pcriod." Bv Prof. 
A. C. Kams.ay, F.R.S., F.G.S. 
The author first described the evidently glacialized condition of tlie great 
