372 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
Tliese last two hypotheses are too little probable to require much con- 
sideration. On the wliole, the author concludes that the theory of meta- 
moq^hism 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 metamorphosisra 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 Eocks of the Malteen 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 de])Osition 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 Llandoveiy rocks. 5. That the 
Upper Llandoverj^ 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 E. ^lurchison 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.] 
Ieonstones 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 E-egis, and extending to Yeovil 
and Bath. 
On the Organic Contents of the Lead Veins of Allenheads 
AND OTHEE Lead Veins OF YoEKSHiEE. 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. 
