177 
Mr. Binney, F.R.S., on behalf of Mr. Mortimer L. Tait, 
exhibited some specimens of Coprolites from a quarry at 
Ashwell, near Baldock, Herts. 
“On Infant Mortality in Manchester/’ by Joseph Baxen- 
dell, F.B.A.S. 
It has been repeatedly and very confidently stated that 
the high death-rate of Manchester and other towns in the 
cotton manufacturing districts is due to the mortality 
among infants and young children being relatively much 
greater than in large towns in other parts of the country ; 
and writers in newspapers and serials have, at various 
times, taken up the statement and commented, in very 
severe terms, upon the negligent and unfeeling conduct of 
Lancashire, and especially Manchester, mothers in being 
tempted by the higher wages they can earn in the cotton 
mills to leave their children during working hours to the 
tender mercies of careless nurses, and thus deprive them 
of the natural sustenance and motherly care which they 
so much require. A few months ago this serious charge 
against Manchester mothers was repeated in a lecture 
delivered by a gentleman holding an official position, who 
moreover added that it was the principal reason why the 
efforts of health committees and sanitary officials in Man- 
chester and other cotton manufacturing towns had been 
attended with so little success, and had failed to make 
any reduction in the death-rate. As however no facts were 
adduced by the lecturer in support of the statement it 
occurred to me that it had probably originated in a hasty 
and imperfect examination of the mortality returns, and 
that it might be useful and instructive to ascertain the 
