i8 
BEEKITE. 
of the animal matter. In ordinary sea-water nothing- unusual 
would result, only one more of the bored shells frequently found 
on our coasts. But if the water contained an abnormal amount 
of Silica in solution, the putrefying- matter issuiug from the bore- 
holes would tend to attract the Silica, which would be deposited 
and form a ring round each orifice, and as Silica has a habit or 
tendency to repeat, or follow, any particular shape it may originally 
form, these rings would be repeated and augmented as long as 
the process continued, this might be for an indefinite period, de- 
pending largely on the amount of Silica forthcoming. Therefore 
we may assume that the formation of Beekite is due to three factors, 
or causes, (i) The presence of a calcareous organism, as a nucleus 
or base ; (2) An attacking force of boring worms, or sponges, and 
(3) the presence of Silica in solution in the water in sufficient 
quantity to admit of deposition. A combination of these three 
features is necessary for the production of Beekite, and as this 
does not occur commonly, it explains why the mineral is only noted 
in certain zones, as should one of the three causes be absent 
Beekite would not be formed. 
Following on the idea that Beekite, or something of a similar 
character might probably occur in modern times, a consider- 
able number of recent shells were examined, for some time 
with negative results, but lately a large specimen from New 
South Wales, of “ Haliotis giganteus ” turned up, which appears 
to come very near to this mineral. This shell has been the victim 
of a heavy attack of borers, which it has resisted by throwing 
out a considerable amount of nacre or shell-forming matter, 
apparently with success (most of the bore holes being plugged 
or screened), but the appearance of the outside of shell is strongly 
suggestive of an initial or early form of Beekite, especially as some 
of the holes arq surrounded by rings of mineral matter. 
It certainly looks as if here we have, if not actual Beekite, a 
preparatory or early stage of it. Probably when this matter is 
more fully investigated some locality will be found where recent 
Beekite will be discovered in process of actual formation. 
The theory that Beekite is of very slow production, or de- 
posited ages after the period of the calcareous nucleus, is 
not supported by the evidence. Not only do the fossils and the 
Chalcedonic rings appear to be of the same age, but there is also 
direct evidence that they are so. It is well known that in “ dead 
shells ” on the sea shore a very short time elapses before they are 
settled upon and tenanted by small organisms, such as Serpula, 
Bryozoa, &c. Now several specimens have been found at Dundry 
and the Vale of Wardour showing these small “ squatters.” If 
the Beekite were deposited after these creatures attached them- 
selves we should expect it to cover or at least encroach on them. 
If, however, we find the shell covered with the mineral and the 
Bryozoa, &c., resting over the Beekite and untouched by it, it is 
