PBOCTSEDTNaS OP GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 31

Restoration of Pteraspis. ¥T DEAB SIR,—Mr. Lankester, in referring in your last number to a paper of mine, in your November number, has given us two sketches of specimens of Pteraspis and the restoration of the test by Professor Huxley. Substantially, in the diagram of Professor Huxley, and in my second figure, we have the same elements; and with my other figures Mr. Lan­ kester does not interfere. I do not think, however, that his specimens are so decisive as lie implies they arc. In his first sketch there is no decided appearance of the central ridge or prolongation, and it appears to me, that there is a much larger portion of the test posterior to the cornua than what is to bo discovered in the restoration of Professor Huxley. In his second sketch or specimen, I cannot see any certain evidence of the cornua at all, and therefore, from it also, I cannot gather how the spine or central pro­ longation of the shield is related to them. Mr. Lankester informs your readers of first-rate specimens having been in the museums and in private collections for some years. Perhaps some of these may throw light on this point, and on other points connected with Pteraspis. Meantime, believe me, my dear Sir, Yours truly, Craig, Dec. 8. HUGH MITCHELL.

PROCEEDINGS OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—November VJth.—" On the Cambrian and Huro- nian Formations, with remarks on the Laurentian." By J. J. Bigsby, M.D. The author came to the conclusion that the Cambrian and the Huronian are distinct formations, and the latter is very much tne older. December Zrd, 1862.—1. "Description of the llemains of a new Enalio- saurian (Eosaurus Acadianus), from the Coal Formation of Nova Scotia." By O. C. Marsh, Esq., NLA. Communicated by Sir C. Lyell, V.P.G.S. 2. " Description of Anthracosaurus, a new genus of Carboniferous Laby- rinthodonts." By Professor T. II. Huxley, F.B.S., F.G.S. Anthracosaurus is distinguished from all other known Labyrinthodonts by the quadrate form and oblique position of the orbits, by the existence of elongated supratcmporal foramina, and by the comparatively small number and large size of the teeth. The skull exhibited had an extreme length of 15 inches, and an extreme width of 12 inches. There are about 30 maxillary, 2 vomerine, and 10 palatine teeth, which are ridged, and be­ come flattened and two-edged towards their apices. The vomerine, pala­ tine, and some of the anterior maxillary teeth are between 2 and 3 inches long, and from \ to f of an inch in diameter at the base. The species ex­ hibited was named A. liusselli, after its discoverer. Probably its entire skeleton had a length of not less than 6 feet. 3. " On the thickness of the Pampean Formation near Buenos Ayres." By Charles Darwin, Esq., M.A., F.E.S., F.G.S. Some sections of Artesian wells sunk in this formation showed its entire thickness near Buenos Ayres to be about 210 feet. It was stated to rest upon various marine beds upwards of 100 feet thick, containing Ostrea Patagonira, Ostrea Alvarezii, Pecten Paranensis, etc. These reposed upon red calcareous clay, which was bored through to a depth of 213 feet more, contained no fossils, and is of unknown age. 82 THE GEOLOGIST.

4. " Geological Notes on the Locality in Siberia where Fossil Fishes and Bstherise wrere found by Dr. Middendorf." By C. E. Austin, Esq., C.E., F.G.S. 5. "Note on Estheria Middendorfii." By Professor T. "Rupert Jones, F.G.S. Two ancient stone axes from Trinidad, and one from Santa Cruz, were exhibited by J. Lamont, Esq., F.G.S. December 17th.—1. "On the Skiddaw Slate Series." By Professor R. Harkness; with a note on the Graptolites, by Mr. J. W. Salter. Some general sections through the Skiddaw Slates were described in detail, and the localities in which fossils had been previously found by Professor Sedgwick were especially noticed. The author stated that he had discovered several species of Graptolites new to the Skiddaw Slates in certain flaggy beds almost devoid of cleavage, which occur at intervals in the lower portion of the series, in several localities. Professor Harkness showed that these rocks were much more fossiliferous than had hitherto been supposed; and that the evidence of the fossils, as interpreted by Mr. Salter, clearly proved them to be of the same age as the Lower Llandeilo rocks of Wales and the Quebec Group of Canada. The thick­ ness of the Skiddaw Slates was estimated at 7000 feet, and the total thick­ ness from the base of the Skiddaw Slates to the Coniston limestone at 14,000 feet. Besides several species of well-known Graptolites that are also found in the Lower Llandeilo rocks and in the Quebec Group (Taconic System), Mr. Salter has been enabled to identify Phyllograpsus angustifolium, Hall, Tetragrapsus bryonoides, Hall, and another species of that genus, Dichograpsus SedgwicTci, n. sp., Didymograpsus caduceus, and some others. He has given the name of Caryocaris Wrightii to a Crus­ tacean discovered in these rocks by Mr. Wright. Mr. Salter considers the Skiddaw Slates to be of the same ago as the Quebec Group, the graptolitiferous rocks of Melbourne, and the Tremadoc Slates of Wales. 2. " On Fossil Estherice, and their Distribution." By Professor T. Rupert Jones. The author pointed out the chief characters of the fourteen species of Estherice obtained, from several geological formations; and stated that they belong mainly to the passage-beds, and he believed chiefly to fresh and brackish waters. He also compared the distribution of the twenty-two recent species with that of the fossil Estlieri.ce. 3. " On the Flora of the Devonian Period in North-Eastern America." By Dr. J. W. Dawson. Dr. Dawson enumerated in this Appendix some additional species of plants lately obtained from Perry, by Mr. Brown, of that place. He also stated that recent observations have shown that the beds spoken of in his paper as belonging to the Cattskill Group of New York, really represent the Chemung Group of that State, according to Professor J. Hall. ROYAL SOCIETY.—November 20th.—One of the largest meetings of the Royal Society we remember to have seen. The attraction was Professor Owen's paper on the remarkable fossil feathered animal which has lately been added to the national collection—the Archceopteryx macrurus. In his opening remarks Professor Owen detailed the circumstances attend­ ing the discovery of the first evidence of the class Birds in the Oxfordian strata, being the impression of a feather, which was described by Hermann von Meyer, who established for it the genus Archaiopteryx. This name was retained for the present feathered animal. On November 9, 1861, Andreas Wagner communicated to the Mathematical and Physical Aca­ demy of Munich the account of the discovery of an animal with divergent fans of feathers, with which he had become acquainted, on the authority of PBOCEEDIN'GS OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES. 33

M. Witte. Warner termed this animal Griphosaurus, and, unfortunately, soon after died. Professor Owen communicated with the owner, M. Ha- berlein, of Pappeiilieira, whose collection Mr. Waterhouse was deputed to inspect, and ultimately to purchase. The ventral aspect of the specimen was exposed, the furculum marking the fore part of the trunk. It was 1 foot 8| inches in length, and measured across, from the apex of the right so the left wing, 1 foot 4 inches. ]N'ear the anterior border of the impres- tions of the wings the stone was broken. The head may have been within this broken part. The ischium, showing the acetabulum, twenty caudal vertebra;, several ribs, the left scapula, proximal part of the left humerus, distal part of ditto, left radius, ulna, and carpals, right humerus, radius, and ulna, two right metacarpals, and two ungual phalanges, right femur, right tibia, left femur, left tibia, were preserved, as well as impressions of the quill feathers, and of down on the body; one clawbone belong­ ing to the right digit of the wing was present, of which bone counter­ part impressions exist. The vanes, and even the shafts of the feathers, can be distinctly seen by the naked eye. The furculum, pelvis, and bones of the tail are in their natural positions. The left scapula is displaced back­ wards : the left humerus outwards and a little forwards, as well as the antibrachium. The wing feathers diverge one inch in front of the carpus. The right humerus extends backwards, and the two metacarpals or proxi­ mal phalangeals are dislocated inwards. Fourteen long quill-feathers di­ verge on each side of the metacarpal and phalangeal bones ; the tibia ex­ tends outwards. The foot is contracted ; the left femur is turned outwards. The feathers decrease in length from six inches to one inch ; the anterior series of barbs are longest and obtusely rounded. The area covered by the diverging quills of the left wing is 14 inches ; by the right, 11. The three posterior primaries are dislocated backwards ; one primary is exqui­ sitely preserved. The impressions of tail feathers number twenty, and succeed each other ; the principal correspond in number on each side with the tail vertebra. The length of the anterior tail feathers is 1 inch, at the end 5 inches; the tail is 11 inche3 in length, and 3j in breadth, being obtusely truncated at the end. The wings have a general resemblance to those of the gallinaceous, or round-winged birds. The scapula resembles that of a bird, and was compared with a structure in Pterodactylus Sue- •vicus, which was about the same size as Archseopteryx. The curved cla­ vicle was 2 inches long. The scapula was 2 inches broad at the apex, the arch being open and round, not contracted as in Gallinaoeaa. No Ptero- dactyle had a furculum. The humerus, 2 inches 10 lines in length, is sig- moidally flexed as in birds ; it was 6 lines in breadth, and in contour most like that of the Corvidse. The humerus of the Archseopteryx closely re­ sembles the form in many birds, as the penguin, the touraco, ete. The Pterodactyle's radius and ulna wrere equal in thickness ; not so in Archseo­ pteryx. A single carpal bone is shown on the left side; on the right a mass of spar occupies its place ; but it is a doubtful indication. The form of the metacarpals agrees with those of birds; but if they be proximal phalanges they differ, being more equal in length and thickness. There is the impression of a slender bone 11 lines long, like the basal part of an ungual phalanx : in advance, a bone supporting the penultimate phalanx is seen in both slabs, being in appearance like the claw phalanx of rapto­ rial birds. The hand, besides supporting the remiges of the wing, probably supported a digit with a small though pointed claw. The structure of the hand otherwise agreed with birds, and similar claws or spurs exist in the Parra jacana, the Palamedea, the spur-winged goose, and the Syrian blackbird. The Archseopteryx differs from all known birds in having two TOL. VI. r 31 THE GEOLOGIST.

or three digits in the hand. There was no trace of the fifth digit of the winged reptile. Of the pelvis, a bone on the left side was preserved, bear­ ing a resemblance to the iliac bone of a bird, and with a sinuous border ; its exposed surface was smooth and polished, and 7 lines broad. The an- tero-interior surface of the ilium and the coalesced ischium terminate ab­ ruptly and obtusely, as in a young bird. The ischium, behind the aceta­ bulum, shows a vacuity between itself and the pubis, the obturator fora­ men being as large as in birds. In the Pterodaetylo the ilium is shorter, the ischium being subtriangular, joining with the ilium. The sacrum was a confused mass of vertebra, in which six or seven short transverse pro­ cesses can be seen. The conditions under which the skeleton was found reminded Professor Owen of the carcass of a gull, which, after having been a prey to some carnivore, which had removed all the soft parts, and per­ haps the head, had left nothing but the bony legs, and the indigestible quill- feathers. The tarso-metatarsal, at its distal end, exhibited a trifid, tro­ chlear, articular surface, supporting three toes. The shaft of the femur was long and thin, while a procnemial ridge was present on the tibia. The size of the procnemial ridge is variable in birds ; in Archaeoptery x it was as large as in Falco Irivirgatus and in most Volitores. The thigh was longer than in the majority of birds. The proportions of the toes accord with the inses- sorial, and not with the scansorial type of foot. Few of the bones are in a condition to permit minute comparison of their texture. The osseous remains having been exposed to a disintegrating action by which the phosphate had been converted into carbonate of lime, and in the interior of the bones crystallized spar has been deposited. Each vertebra of the tail supports a pair of plumes. The fossil differed from all known existing birds in having a tail composed of twenty vertebra;. But the tail is essen­ tially a variable character; there are long-tailed bats and short-tailed bats, long-tailed rodents and short-tailed rodents, long-tailed Pterodactyles and short-tailed Pterodactyles. It is now manifest that there existed, at the period of the deposition of the Oxfordian strata, a bird exhibiting the persist­ ent embryonal or generalized character of the tail, as opposed to the special­ ized condition of the tails of existing birds, in which the terminal vertebrae have coalesced. All embryo birds exhibit the caudals distinct, the greatest number of separate caudals being exemplified by the ostrich. The develop­ mental process undergone by the bird is similar in nature to that through which the fish passes in its transition from the heteroccrcal stage, through which it usually passes, to the homocercal. The probability of the presence of a single unguiculate digit, as in the wings of Pf eropus, would, if demon­ strated, exhibit a similar retention of an embryonal and transitory character. The Archffiopteryx was unequivocally a bird ; and, by the law of correlation, we might infer that it was destitute of fleshy lips, that its feathers were preened by a horny edentulous beak, and that the shape of the breast-bone was such as was possessed by animals capable of flight. The President moved a vote of thanks; and, calling for remarks, the Duke of Argyll hoped that Mr. Gould would offer some opinion on the fossil. Mr. Gould, F.R.S., considered that the remains indicated a terrestrial form of bird, with wing feathers not adapted for flight, as in the Apteryx, or in the black rail of New Zealand. Had the hind foot alone been shown to any ornithologist, he would have been entitled to infer that it was a bird—a fact which Mr. Gould had doubted up to the previous day, but which he now felt constrained to admit. Dr. Carpenter, F.K.S., coincided in Pro­ fessor Owen's remarks respecting the more generalized vertebrate type of the specimen, and remarked on the futility of negative evidence in geolo­ gical discussion. Professor Owen pointed out that the shape of the pee- NOTES AND QUERIES. 35 toral ridge on the humerus indicated a bird which possessed the power to beat its wings down forcibly, and that the shape of the furculum also in­ dicated a bird of flight. The black rail had no furculum. Mr. Gould ad­ hered to his previous opinion. MANCHESTER PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.—Dec. 2nd.—E. W. Binney, F.P.S., the President, said that in a paper published in vol. x. (second series) of the Society's Memoirs, " On the Drift Deposits found near Blackpool," he had slated, in a note at page 122, that since the paper was written, Mr. J. P. Bateman, C.E., F.G.S., had informed him that in making the Hollingworth reservoir, near Mottram-in-Longdendale, he had met with the common cockspur shell (Turritella terebra) in considerable abundance. During the past summer he had visited the locality alluded to by Mr. Bateman, in company with Mr. Prestwich, F.R.S. After going up to the uppermost part of the reservoir, which is one of those belonging to the corporation of the City of Manchester, to the point where the goit conveys the water on the east side of the valley, we saw a deposit of brown sandy clay, or till, which had been cut through to the depth of between three and four feet for the purpose of forming the goit. This deposit con­ tained small granite and greenstone pebbles, some rounded, and others angular. In it he found a considerable number of shells, some quite entire and others in fragments. He procured and showed to the meeting specimens of Turritella terebra, Fastis Bamfius, Purpura lapillus, two specimens of Tellina, and Cardium edule. The city engineer, Mr. J. G. Lynde, P.G.S., had given him the exact height of the spot where the fossils were found at as 5(58 feet above the level of the Irish Sea. Shells, identical with recent sea-shells, have been found at much greater elevations on the mountains of North Wales, but very few so far inland; for the locality where the specimens were met with is full fifty miles in a straight line from the Irish Sea, and a greater distance if the watercourses of the E the row and Mersey are followed. Mr. John Taylor has found recent marine shells in the sands at Bredbury and Hyde, which he has described in the Transactions of the Manchester Geological Society ; and Mr. Prestwich informed him that he has found similar fossils on the Buxton Eoad, about three miles from Macclesfield, but the specimens herein described are the first that have been noticed in the deep valleys running up into the sides of the Pennine chain. He further stated that he had found a large mass of greenstone, evi­ dently a travelled rock of the Drift period, at the extreme end of one of the tributary valleys of the Tame, in Saddlevvorlh, as high up as New Year's Bridge, near Denshaw Vale. All these facts proved the former presence of the sea (in some cases containing inhabitants similar to those found on onr present coasts) high up on the sides of the Cheshire, York­ shire, and Derbyshire hills at a recent period, geologically speaking, and show that many of our deep valleys have not been formed by the streams of water now traversing them, but are chiefly due to the more powerful action of the waters of the ocean, most probably assisted by ice.

NOTES AND QUERIES. OBITUARY.—On the 19th of December, one of the oldest and the most famous anatomists and ethnologists of England departed this life. We allude to the venerable Dr. llobert Knox, Hon. F.E.S., the friend of Cuvier