The specimens, etc., upon which the following notes are based were sent from China by the Rev. Samuel Couling, M.A., to Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., who has kindly permitted me to examine them. They consist of two examples displayed in longitudinal section upon the surface of two blocks of limestone, and photographs of three other examples, together with the rubbing of a fourth similarly preserved.

The problematical fish-spine, Listracanthus, has already been found in the English Coal-measures; but neither the specimens from this country nor the earlier discoveries elsewhere are sufficient to show the exact nature of the fossil, or even to determine its complete form. Two groups of remains of this spine, recently discovered by Mr. John Ward, F.G.S., in the Middle Coal-measures of North Staffordshire, are therefore of much interest as tending towards a more satisfactory knowledge of its characters.

Professor lindström in a recent paper has described sense organs discovered by him on the hypostome of very many genera of Trilobites. His description is as follows:— “In the plurality of species there are two tiny patches or maculæ, sometimes elevated above the surrounding surface like tubercles, and so they have also been called by some authors. But I have preferred to use the name ‘macula’ for them, as the plurality does not form tubercles. They are generally smooth and glossy, and situated next to the anterior groove, either above it or in it, at a regular distance from each other and the lateral margins. They may form a sunk spot, or, as commonly, an ovoid or elliptic area surrounded by a linear elevated border.” “Common for a great number of maculæ in various groups, whether they show any organic structure or not, is the excessive thinness of their shell in comparison with that of the surrounding hypostoma. This is also in accordance with the tenuity of the cephalic eyes in relation to the test of the cheeks.”

After the expiration of twelve months, Mr. A. R. Hunt, who was present at the meeting of the British Association at Belfast, has published in your September number a criticism on my address. His paper deals with a variety of matters with which I need not concern myself. His remarks on tourmaline have reference to another author, and not to anything I have written on that subject. He also passes strictures on what he calls “incidental geology,” but as he includes Lord Kelvin and Canon Bonney with me in his condemnation, I can only congratulate myself on being in such good company.

In the collection of Mr. Alfred Brown, of Ariwal North, there is a fairly complete skull of a moderate-sized Stegocephalian which differs very considerably from that of any form hitherto described. The specimen is in a sandstone matrix. Owing to a crack produced by weathering practically all the cranial bones adhered to the counter slab when an endeavour was made to display the remains. The sculpturing of the bones is thus hidden, but the sutures are for the most part distinctly seen. Fig. 1 represents a slightly restored view of the upper side of the skull. The most striking features are the great breadth of the skull and the relatively advanced position of the orbits. In these respects it makes a slight approach to the condition found in the American genus Diplocaulus. There is no distinct notch in the post-temporal region, as in most Stegocephalians, and there are no ‘epiotic’ cornua. There are two rudimentary cornua on the posterior cranial border, but they are formed by the so-called ‘supra-occipital’ bones. In the middle line between the frontals and nasals is a median bone, probably an ethmoid. I fail to detect a supra-temporal element as distinct from the quadrato-jugal, which is of large size.

The existence of a raised beach formed, and probably elevated, before the deposition of the Boulder-clay has already been demonstrated in South Wales and Yorkshire. During the progress of the Drift Survey of the country surrounding Queenstown Harbour, a beach of similar age was observed along the shores of the harbour, and was subsequently traced at intervals along the adjoining coast of Waterford and Cork from Dungarvon to Clonakilty, a distance from east to west of about sixty miles.

The following rapid and for most purposes sufficiently accurate method of estimating specific gravities of rocks, minerals, sands, etc., will recommend itself to those familiar with the apparatus of the chemical laboratory.