94 
ranged in whorls and probably filled with microspores, 
whilst the lowest scales supported sporangia containing 
macrospores. This the author gathered from much more 
perfect specimens than those which Mr. Carruthers had to 
work upon. Most certainly the little flattened discs which 
he described as sporangia are found on scales at the base of 
the cone, and not in the middle or upper portions of it, as 
many of the author’s specimens clearly prove. When Pro- 
fessor Brongniart’s paper is published and drawings of his 
specimen are given we shall be better able to understand 
the relation of the genus Flemingites to Lepidodendron. 
“ Has the Human Mind Progressed or Retrograded since 
the time of Augustus V by H. It. Forrest, Esq. 
In the introduction of this paper a rapid review of the 
state of the Roman Empire under Augustus was taken, as 
also of the effects produced by the mighty thinkers of the 
Grecian republics and by the great intellects of the Augustan 
period on all subsequent times. Stress was laid on the 
Roman mode of conciliating and amalgamating all those 
who came under the sway of the City of the Seven Hills, 
whereby the mighty empire of Augustus was created. The 
civil and religious liberty of the Romans was then brought 
under consideration and contrasted with the state of Europe 
regarding these subjects during many centuries, even up to 
the present day. The dark ages were also reviewed, and 
the essayist endeavoured to show that the human mind was 
still suffering from the prostration it then underwent. The 
state of our present civilization called forth some remarks, 
and it was endeavoured to be demonstrated that the present 
times have not improved in this regard upon the ancients, 
when it is remembered the amount of brute force requisite 
to keep order in civilized Europe. The gigantic frauds and 
the enormous mercantile delinquencies, engendered by the 
ruthless desire after wealth, periodically appearing, and each 
