i 882 .j 
The Palceonto. graphical Society. 
59 7 
Mr. George Maw, of Broseley, has rendered efficient aid 
by submitting about 20 tons of Silurian shale to the action 
of a potter’s “blunging” or clay-levigating machine: when 
the fine clay was washed away Mr. Maw employed women 
to pick out the fossils from the debris , and obtained for Dr. 
Davidson, in this way, about 50,000 specimens of Brachi- 
pods ! We recommend this plan to the notice of geolo- 
gists in other parts of the country ; a washing-tub and 
“ dolly ” would make a very fair substitute for the potter’s 
machine. 
In looking over the back volumes of the Society, the 
names of Prof. Owen, Mr. Searles V. Wood, Mr. J. W. 
Salter, Prof. Duncan, Dr. Lycett, and Dr. H. Woodward 
stand out prominently, while the list of articles “ in prepara- 
tion ” includes the names of the best men of the day. 
But when may we hope for the completion of this great 
work ? Perfectly complete it can never be, for every year, 
as the rocks continue to be searched, new species turn up, 
which require to be figured and described ; but when may 
we hope for the practical completion ? The total number of 
known fossils from the British strata may be estimated at 
15,000 species. If in its thirty-six volumes the Palasonto- 
graphical Society has been able to give an account (as it has 
done) of 5000 species, it is clear that, at this rate of pro- 
gress, we shall be half-way through the twentieth century 
before the entire work even draws near to an end. It is true 
that this is a work which cannot be hurried , but with an 
increased subscription list its completion might certainly be 
accelerated. 
The stock of back volumes is but a limited one, and, al- 
though sets of them may now be had at a reduction, yet 
their value will be undoubtedly high in future years. Every 
local scientific society and every local library ought to pos- 
sess a set, for to a working geologist these volumes are 
simply indispensable. 
In the hope that many of our readers will use their influ- 
ence in this direction, we give in conclusion the Secretary’s 
address : — Rev. Prof. Wiltshire, M.A., F.G.S., 25 Granville 
Park, Lewisham, London, S.E. 
