SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
277 
differences 'which would lead to the formation of a section or subgenus 
peculiar to the Tertiary of Provence. The texture of the leaves must have 
been more coriaceous ; the marginal teeth are spinescent, and the veins 
generally concealed. These peculiarities and the general form caused the 
fossil plant to he referred to Lomatia ; hut M. de Saporta thinks it more 
natural to recognize the plant as belonging to the Baccharidese and to 
name it Bacchantes aquensis. This view is supported by the occurrence of 
numerous achenes or fruit of Compositae in the same beds with the leaves. 
These organs, known as Cypselites, include at Aix at least four species, 
Cypselit.es gypsorum , stenocarpus, Philiberti, and socius. The last two agree 
entirely in characters with the achenes of Coniza and Baccharis ; the body 
of the fruit is more or less spindle-shaped at the base, narrowed above, 
truncate at the apex, where it bears a sessile pappus of which the simple, 
silky hairs appear to be arranged in a single series. 
If these facts be accepted as definitive and lead to the abandonment of 
the notion that we have Proteaceae of Australian type represented in Europe, 
we should get rid of a great anomaly. The presence in Europe of types of 
plants now exotic is generally in relation to the present geographical distri- 
bution of those types. In this way many well-characterized genera, some 
now specially African, others limited to certain parts of Asia, or North 
America, have certainly formerly inhabited Europe. Successive revolutions 
with gradual cooling of the climate, will explain the disappearances that 
have taken place ; but the direct implantation in the heart of ancient 
Europe of a whole colony of plants, such as are now quartered in one 
part of the Southern Hemisphere, with no outposts in the intermediate space, 
requires for its acceptance the most absolute proof. ( Comptes Rendus , 16th 
May, 1881.) 
Affinities of Haly sites. — Prof. Verrill refers to the various genera of 
so called 1 tabulated corals/ which have lately had their true zoological 
positions determined. The hydroid nature of Millepora is now generally 
admitted ; he has himself shown that PociUopora and its allies are Madre- 
porarian corals, and that Favosites and related extinct genera are nearly related 
to the existing Alveoporce and Porites ; and Moseley, having ascertained the 
Alcyonarian affinities of Heliopora , has referred some fossil genera to the same 
position. With regard to Halysites, Prof. Verrill says, ‘ The affinities of the 
genus Halysites, the common “ chain coral ” of the Silurian, have hitherto 
been very doubtful. Within a few days Mr. H. T. Woodman has shown 
me a very remarkable specimen of this genus, in which the internal structure 
is beautifully preserved. In this example, which is a fragment several 
inches across, the large tubes contain twelve well-developed and regular septa 
extending to the centre. Their edges are slightly serrulate, and do not rise 
above the tubes. In other words, the structure is that of a true Madreporarian 
coral.’ Mr. Woodman informed him that this specimen was a fragment 
from a larger mass eight or ten feet across, the greater part of which 1 was 
like the common specimens, showing no rays ; but here and there, in spots, 
all over the face of the mass, the septa were as well preserved as in the 
fragment.’ 
The Bears of the Cavern of Lherm. — M. Filhol has communicated to the 
French Academy ( Comptes Rendus, April 11) some interesting particulars as 
