192 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
are also two species of Escliara, though these are generally in a badly- 
preserved state. Those marked No. 2 abound in compound corals, some 
of them of very considerable size. The following families predominate : — 
Calamophyllidoi, Symphyllidm^ Astreidce, Thamnastreidce, and Fongidce. 
Forty-nine species were determined; and of these eighteen belonged to 
Castel-Gomberto district. They were associated with numerous Bryozoa, 
especially species of Lepralia and Memhranipora. 
Is Eozoo)i a Minei'al Production? — Professors Bowney and King have 
again raised this question and answered it in the affirmative, in a paper laid 
before the Geological Society of London. It was found when the paper had 
been read that all the microscopists who were present differed from the con- 
clusion of the authors. Dr. Carpenter’s observations, which we reproduce, 
strongly supported the opinion he has formed of the animal nature of 
Eozoon. Dr. Carpenter said that he need not repeat the grounds on which 
he regarded this as an organic structure. He objected to criticisms unless 
founded on examination of actual specimens. Sir William Logan had been 
first led to regard the Eozoon as organic by finding alternations of calcareous 
and siliceous layers in various minerals. A' specimen which Sir William 
had brought from Canada contained much iron, and had the canal system 
wonderfully preserved; and it presented this character, that the larger 
branches were infiltrated with serpentine, and the middle branches with 
sulphide of iron, while the smallest branches were filled with carbonate of 
lime, of the same nature as the matrix. It was only under a favourable 
light that these smaller tubes were visible, as the calcite in them was of the 
same crystalline character as the surrounding network. This was conclusive 
evidence of the structure not arising from the mere infiltration of one 
chemical substance into another. Moreover, this foreign matter could not 
penetrate the cleavage-planes. When cut, some specimens had given out a 
strong odour of musk, which they to some extent still retained. This, 
again, seemed to be evidence of organic origin. He regretted that Professor 
King had not examined the large collection of specimens in his (Dr. Car- 
penter’s) collection. Recent Foraminifera, when decalcified, exhibited pre- 
cisely the same asbestiform layer round the chamber-cast as the fossil 
Eozoon. Different genera of Foraminifera in recent seas were infiltrated by 
different minerals, which presented some analogy with the condition of the 
fossil under consideration. In the great seas of the present day, at various 
depths and temperatures, was a large extension of sarcodic substance, and in 
this there were Rhizopods with and without shells, but of similar low 
structure ; and such forms might have continued in existence through any 
length of time, so that the occurrence of Eozoon so far down as Jurassic 
times could afford no matter for surprise. He would not be a.stonished even 
if such a structure as Eozoon were found in deep-sea dredgings of the 
present day. 
TJic lidationsnf Lepidodcndron. — Some time since !M. Brongniart discovered 
a fossil cone containing both microspores and macrospores, and showed that 
it belonged to a plant of the Carboniferous epoch. It has long been supposed 
that Lfpidostrohus was the fi’uctification of Lepidodcndron^ but no further 
evidence of the fact had been adduced than that which Dr. J. D. Hooker, 
F.R.S., had given by finding the cones in the insides of Lepidodcndron 
