110 
MICROSCOPICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SECTION. 
January 31st, 1870. 
John Watson, Esq., President of the Section, in the 
Chair. 
Mr. Charles Bailey read a paper “ On the Natural Ropes 
used in Packing Cotton Bales in Brazil.” 
[This paper was afterwards read at the Ordinary Meeting 
oi the Society, held February 8th, 1870. See page 88.] 
Mr. J. Sxdebotham exhibited some photographs of Pholas- 
bored Rocks, and made the following remarks thereon. 
In October, 1857, Mr. R. D. Darbishire read a paper here 
on some rocks bored by Pholas which he had discovered on 
the Little Ormes Head, and exhibited specimens. 
Last Spring I examined the rocks on both the Great and 
Little Ormes, and found many rocks so bored, of several of 
which I took photographs, some of which I now exhibit 
from both places. 
The holes are most abundant near the tops of the moun- 
tains, and I met with none whatever very low down. 
At first sight one is rather confused, the holes on the 
surface of the rocks having been weather-worn, and some- 
times connected by channels with the natural fissures in the 
rock, so as to render it difficult to say which or whether any 
of the holes have been caused by boring shells. 
When these holes occur, however, in overhanging rocks, 
or rocks protected from the weather, there is no doubt as 
to their origin ; but to obtain photographs of them is very 
difficult, as the camera has to be supported with stones, and 
the operator has to lie on his back on the ground to obtain 
the focus. 
An interesting collection of Australian Plants from Dr. 
Mueller, of Melbourne, was exhibited by Mr. H. A. HURST. 
