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haematite iron deposits, so far as known, have been found 
south of it. Its age also appears to be more recent, even 
supposing it to be permian, than those deposits, which for 
the most part must be considered of carboniferous age. The 
occurrence of this trap might have been considered to have 
some connection with the deposition of the iron had it been 
of carboniferous age, but it is evidently more recent, and 
therefore could have had nothing to do with it further than 
disturb or displace it. 
“A Search for Solid Bodies in the Atmosphere,” by R 
Angus Smith, Ph.D., F.R.S., &c. 
I have so frequently for many years attempted to find, 
and have found, organic substances which have passed from 
the air into liquids in which they were collected, that 
perhaps the Society will scarcely attend to another attempt, 
although it indicates, I think, some progress. It was in the 
year 1847 that I first collected what I believe was matter 
from the respiration and perspiration, and found that as it 
was kept it grew into distinct confirmed forms. 
Whilst examining some matters relating to the cattle 
plague I found one or two remarkable points. I had before 
that time used aspirators to pass the air through liquids, 
except in the oxidation experiments. At that time I used 
simply a bottle which contained a little water. The bottle 
was filled with the air of the place and the water shaken in 
it. The difference of air was remarkable. A very few 
repetitions would cause the liquid to be muddy, and the 
particles found in many places were distinctly organic. 
Lately I tried the same plan on a larger scale. A bottle 
of the capacity of Wo°- c.c. was filled with air and shaken 
with water. The bottle was again filled and shaken with 
the same water, and this was repeated 500 times, nearly 
equal to 2J million cbc., or 2,495 litres. As this could not 
be done in a short time, there was considerable variety of 
