m 
Analyses of Boolcs. 
Mr. Murchison notices traces of a fresli water formation occurring in the Isle of 
Sky. Flattened masses of shelly limestone were found “ on the north eastern 
shores of Loch Staffin containing five species of Cvclas, one Paludina, one Neritina ? 
one Ostrea, one Mytilus, and some undescribed bivalves. It adds materially to tlie 
interest of these remains, that two species of the Cyclas, the Paludina and the Ostrea, 
prove to he identical with the fossils of one of the upper beds of the weald clay de- 
scribed by Dr. Fitton as occurring in Swanage Bay, Dorsetshire, and in the Isle ol 
Wight. Here therefore we have a decided indication of a formation of fresh water, or 
at all events of actuary origin, which had never before been traced north of Ayles- 
bury in England ; and "this would seem to prove, that although the continuity of such 
deposits may have been more limited in extent than those of marine origin, still 
the causes which gave rise to a deposit of the former class in England may at the 
same epoch have been producing corresponding effects in the North of Scotland and 
in other widely distant localities/’ 
Pitchstonc has been observed in several of the trap veins that transverse beds of 
the Oolite series. This fact, it is observed, “ is of importance in assisting us to li- 
mit the antiquity of those trap rocks which contain that mineral.” 
“ The organic remains, collected on this last occasion in various parts of the 
Western Islands, comprise many characteristic fossils tending to confirm the com- 
parison already instituted, and to identify these deposits with the Oolitic series and lias 
of English geology* A supplemental table of fossil shells gives a view of these 
acquisitions and concludes the paper. This table we may hereafter find room for. 
XXIV. On the Fossil Remains of two new Species of Mastodon and of other Ver- 
tebra ted Animals, found on the left bank of the Irawadi. By William Clift, Esq. 
F. G. »S*. F. R . S. 8fc. Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons- 
XXV. Geological Account of a Series of Animal and Vegetable Remains and of 
Rocks collected by J. Crawfurd, Esq. on a Voyage up the Irawadi to Ava in 1826 
and 1827. By the Rev . W. Buck land, D . D. F. G. S. F. R. S. F. L. S. Professor 
of Mineralogy and Geology in the University of Oxford. 
These two papers contain the particulars of one of the most interesting contribu- 
tions yet made in India to the stock of science in Europe, by which is established “the 
grand point of the occurrence of formations in the south east of India analogous to 
the tertiary and diluvial formations of Europe, and containing respectively the re- 
mains of animals the same which the formations of Europe contain ; or very similar 
to them.” And if, with the learned author of the second of these papers, we admit 
“ that the result ot these discoveries, though intensely interesting, and a splendid 
example of what may he done by the skill aud activity of one zealous individual, is 
rather to stimulate than gratify our curiosity let us also hope “ that the expec- 
tation entertained of more detailed and more extensive information from the future 
investigations of the most intelligent among our countrymen, whose professional 
duties call them to the eastern world,” will not be disappointed. Let us at least he 
assured, that if we refuse to gather the rich harvest ripening under our hands, there 
are others less dead to the charms and the solid advantages of true knowledge, who 
will not imitate our indifference. It is some consolation to those who cultivate science 
for her own sake to know, that if England refuse to add these to her other laurels ; 
they will not be altogether lost to the civilized world while France is so zealous 
in making new acquisitions and in exploring every possible source of discovery*. 
It is unnecessary, to say that these valuable contributions are the result of an ex- 
amination of the collection made by J, Crawfurd, Esq. when ambassador at the 
court of Ava. This collection was contained in seven large chests, and consisted of 
fossil wood and fossil hones, as also of specimens of the strata that are found along 
the course of the Irawadi from its month near Rangoon up to Ava, a distance of 
nearly five hundred miles. 
* Those who knew M. Diard and the late M. Duvancel will not require to 
be told of their labours. M. Dussoumier, of whom Baron Cuvier, in Kis prospectus 
of the ** Histoire des Poissons,” makes honourable mention, is known to have 
collected, in the short period of his stay in this country, (whither he came as 
supercargo of his own vessel,) 300D specimens of fishes ; a number scarcely credi- 
ble when we consider the many other calls on his attention during the time, and 
the short period in which he accomplished his task. A new labourer in the field 
has recently appeared, an accomplished naturalist particularly skilled in the de- 
tails ot geology : and notwithstanding the increasing vitality which this part of 
our system has began lately to exhibit, we fear he will carry off many of the 
triumphs which ought to have been ours long ag#. 
