SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
323 
black substance wbicb seems to be a hydro-carbon, and resembles coal. M. 
Nordenskiold, stated that infiltration was impossible, and that therefore, 
there could be no doubt of the high antiquity of the strata of Nullaberg ! 
An International Arcliceological Congress. — The “ International Congress 
for Primeval History,” which was founded a few years ago at Spezzia, is to 
hold its next meeting at Paris on the 17th of August next. The questions 
to be dealt with are the following : — 1. Under what geological circumstances 
and among what plants aud animals have in the different countries the 
oldest traces of man been discovered? What changes in the division of 
sea and land must have ensued since? 2. Were the caves generally in- 
habited ? Were they inhabited by the same race and at the same periods ? 
And, if not, how and by what characteristics are the inhabitants of the 
caves and the epochs to be distinguished ? 3. Do the megalithic monu- 
ments belong to one people which by degrees overspread various countries ? 
What were, in that case, the migrations of that race and its gradual progres- 
sive steps in art and industry ? What relation may there possibly be 
between this race and the lake-dwellers who possess an analogous industry ? 
4. Is the appearance of bronze in the West the result of an indigenous in- 
dustry, of violent conquests, or of the opening up of new channels of trade ? 
5. What are in the different countries the essential characteristics of the first 
iron period? Is this time anterior to historical times? 6. What informa- 
tion do we possess about the anatomical characteristics of the human races 
from the most ancient times to the iron period ? 
The Gold Mines in Canada according to the recent report of Dr. Sterry 
Hunt, appear to promise a fruitful harvest for investors. The gold-bearing 
rocks form part of the Laurentian area of Canada and New York, and Dr. 
Hunt states, that there is nothing in their age inconsistent with the belief 
that the mines will prove highly productive. All Dr. Hunt’s investigations 
tend to show that the precious metal has a very wide range in Canada. 
The Yorkshire Coal-question. — The question as to whether the experi- 
mental borings in Yorkshire are likely to prove the existence of coal in the 
u Eastern Levels,” was discussed in a paper read before the Yorkshire Philo- 
sophical Society at one of its meetings in June. The paper contained an 
account of an attempt to discover coal at Reedness on the right bank of the 
Ouse, below Qoole. In the discussion which followed, Mr. Wain wright made 
some remarks, showing that he had lately made inquiries in the neighbour- 
hood of the borings, which had extended, according to the information 
which had been furnished to him by persons who were conversant with the 
matter, to a depth of 331 yards. He suggested that by an additional ex- 
penditure of 200/. or 300/., they might ascertain whether any coal was there, 
and whether it would be worth while getting it. 
The Tin Mines of Banca. — Banca is an island between Sumatra and 
Borneo, on whose tin-resources a fine work has been written by M. Yan 
Diest. This latter has been translated by Dr. Le Neve Foster, and it con- 
tains the following conclusions interesting to mining geologists : — l< 1. 
In Northern Banca tin occurs in the granite in various ways and over a 
large extent of country. 2. The rocks which surround the granite are 
impregnated with ores and other minerals occurring in the granite for some 
distance, usually not more than a mile and a quarter. 3. These minerals 
