1. *Laminated and fine grained red sand- 
stones 
2. Red and variegated marls containing 
sometimes, but not always, beds of 
limestone aud gypsum, with fossil 
shells of the genera ScMzodus, Bake- 
vellia, &e, 
3. Conglomerate 
4. Lower new red sandstono, generally 
soft and incoherent 
5. Red shaly clays 
G. Astlcy pebble beds, containing com- 
mon coal plants, termed by me lower 
pcrmian 
SHAM'K. 
WESTHOUSE. 
MANCHESTER 
Feet. 
] 300 
Feet. 
not seen. 
Feet. 
not seen. 
!■ 150 
1 
J 
traces of 
them seen. 
300 
4 
300 
50 
} 7 
500 
500 
not seen 
250 
not seen. 
| not seen. 
not seen. 
60 
Mr. Spence brought under the notice of the society a 
specimen of the metal magnesium. This metal has hitherto 
been produced only in small quantities, by means of sodium. 
The specimen shown derived its interest from the fact that it 
is stated to have been produced by direct reduction, either 
from the oxide or some of its salts. 
If this information, which has been obtained through a 
friend of the inventor, proves correct, it is a matter of 
considerable importance, as the metal has most valuable 
qualities. 
Professor Roscoe read the following extract from a letter 
which he had just received from Professor Bunsen, respecting 
the properties of metallic rubidium: — “I have prepared 
metallic rubidium by reduction with carbon in an iron vessel ; 
from 75 grammes of the bitartrate of rubidium I obtained 5 
grammes of the metal in coherent masses, one of which 
* The first- four strata of the above series, Professor Ilarkness, F.R.S., in a 
fine natural section seen at Hilton Beck, north of Brough, estimates to be of 
3000 feet in thickness. — Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society for 
August, 1862. 
