The Iberia–Newfoundland continental margin is one of the most-studied conjugate margins in the world. However, many unknowns remain regarding the nature of rifting preceding its break-up. We analyse a large dataset of tectonic subsidence curves, created from publicly available well data, to show spatial and temporal trends of rifting in the proximal domains of the margin. We develop a novel methodology of bulk averaging tectonic subsidence curves that can be applied on any conjugate margin with a similar spread of well data. The method does not rely on the existence of conjugate, deep seismic profiles and, specifically, attempts to forego the risk of quantitative bias derived from localized anomalies and uncertain stratigraphic dating and correlation. Results for the Iberia–Newfoundland margin show that active rift-driven tectonic subsidence occurred in the Central segment of the conjugate margin from c. 227 Ma (early Norian) to c. 152.1 Ma (early Tithonian), in the southern segment from c. 208.5 Ma (early Rhaetian) to c. 152.1 Ma (early Tithonian) and in the northern segment from c. 201.3 Ma (early Hettangian) to c. 132.9 Ma (early Hauterivian). This indicates that rifting in the stretching phase of the proximal domain of the Iberia–Newfoundland margin does not mirror hyperextended domain rifting trends (south to north) that ultimately led to break-up. The insights into broad-scale three-dimensional spatial and temporal trends, produced using the novel methodology presented in this paper, provide added value for interpretation of the development of passive margins, and new constraints for modelling of the formation of conjugate margins.

1. The Speeton Clay of Yorkshire contains abundant Foraminifera in the beds named by Mr. Lamplugh B (base), C10, and C2; but the specimens examined from the other subdivisions of F, E, D, and C either do not contain any Foraminifera or they are present in small numbers only.

2. Two new species, Cristellaria chapmani, Pulvinulina lamplughi, and a new variety, Lagena apiculata, var. danfordi, occur and are described. Forty-four species belonging to sixteen genera have been found.

3. The characteristic of the Foraminiferal fauna of the Speeton Clay is the great predominance of Pulvinulina caracolla (Roemer) over all other species.

4. Twenty-five per cent of the species of Foraminifera occur also in the Hils of North Germany, 35 per cent in the Red Chalk of Speeton, 40 per cent in the Bargate Beds of Surrey, and 58·5 per cent in the Gault of Folkestone.

5. Dimorphism is clearly shown by P. caracolla (Roemer). Previously it has been stated to occur among the Pulvinulinæ in P. partschiana, d'Orb., but no case has been described.

6. Notes are given on the microscopical characters of the sediments.

The occurrence of a fish generically identical with Eurycormus of the Bavarian Lithographic stone, in the Upper Jurassic of England, has already been indicated by the discovery of a well-preserved head with some anterior vertebras in the Kimmeridge Clay of Ely. Only one specimen, however, has hitherto been recognized; and during a recent search for further evidence of the fish among British fossils the present writer has thus been gratified to find two more examples in the collection of the British Museum.

The genus Myalina was erected by Prof. De Koninck, in his Description des Animaux fossiles qui se trouvent dans le terrain Carbonifère de Belgique, for certain Modioliform shells, and M'Coy re-defined the genus in his British Palæozoic fossils and described two forms from the Permian of Durham.

A recent visit to Central Germany afforded the writer an opportunity of studying the conditions under which the Vogelsberg iron-ore and bauxite have been formed, and a brief account of what was observed may assist in broadening the basis upon which a sufficiently comprehensive view of the origin of those substances may ultimately stand. On this account my visit to the region was approved by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland, in connection with the work now in progress on the iron-ore and bauxites of co. Antrim. In my traverses I enjoyed the very agreeable companionship of Dr. Schottler, of the Grossherzoglich Hessischen Geologischen Landestaldt, and the advantage of his guidance. His elaborate description of the basalts in the vicinity of Giessen has since been issued, and is referred to in this paper. The admirable and exhaustive accounts of the bauxite by Professor Adolf Liebrich, and of the iron-ore by H. Münster, are also appealed to frequently. Among other important papers consulted regarding the chemical processes involved may be mentioned those of M. H. Coquand, Professor G. A. Cole, F.G.S., M.E.I.A., Max Bauer, Sir T. H. Holland, A.R.C.S., F.E.S., H. Warth, D.Sc., & F.J. Warth, B.Sc., Malcolm Maclaren, B.Sc, F.G.S., H. Brantwood Muff, B.A., and the summaries by F. Wigglesworth Clarke and Dr. C. Doelter.

In Megacystis the periproct—which S. A. Miller always called the moutn—lies between adoral circlets II and III, being bounded by the two posterior facet-bearing plates and the posterior interradial, i.e. 3 of Adorals II, also by 2 or 3 of Adorals III, making 5 of 6 plates in all. The number 5 is the more usual; it occurs in M. aspera. faberi, gorbyi, indianensis, ornatissima, ornata, parcula, parca, perlonga, plena, scitulus, and spangleri, also in British Museum specimens E 7631, —33, —35, —37, —38, ?—39, —40, —42, —44, —45, —74, —76, —77, E16167, and E 16168 (see our figs. 24, 25, antea). The number 6, due to an additional Adoral III, is found in M. baculus, commoda, splendens, and perhaps gyrinus, also in E7630, —34, —36, ?—75, and E 16171 (see our figs. 22, 23, 28, 30, antea). This does not seem to be a difference of such constancy as to be relies on for the discrimination of species. It is the sole character distinguishing Miller's M. commoda from his M. gorbyi, not to mention M. scitulus and M. parva, which may be younger stages of the latter species. Similarly such specimens as E 7631, E 7635, E 7638, and E 7644, each with 5 plates, cannot otherwise be distinguished from E 7636 with 6 plates; while E 7630 and E 7634 with 6 plates are otherwise the same as E 7633, E 7640, E 7642, E 7677, and E 16168, each with 5 plates.

In the early half of 1922 a boring (“jumped”) was made by Mr. H. G. Godwin, of Quenington, Fairford, Gloucestershire, for Mr. Oswald Collier, of Calcutt, in search of water. The site of the borehole is at Calcutt—¼ in. above the “C” in Calcutt on 6 in. map, 5 S.W., Wilts.

Recent work on various Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous radio-larian faunas from sections in northern and north-eastern Iraq, all of known stratigraphic horizon, and from elsewhere in the Middle East, confirms the existing view that as absolute indicators of age, without associated evidence, these fossils as commonly preserved are of little use, but that in local and regional problems where they are associated with other evidence they may be of considerable stratigraphical value. The genus Meyenella is not regarded as a useful indicator for the Jurassic.

Sir Charles Lyell in his Principles of Geology, published in 1834, remarks upon the accumulating proofs that the climate of the earth had undergone great changes in the past, and he endeavoured to show that these changes might have been produced by the varying distribution of sea and land. He says, “But if, instead of vague conjectures as to what might have been the state of the planet at the era of its creation, we fix our thoughts steadily on the connexion at present between climate and the distribution of land and sea; and if we then consider what influence former fluctuations in the physical geography of the earth must have had on superficial temperature, we may perhaps approximate to a true theory.”

A specimen from the Krosno Beds (Oligocene) of the Polish Carpathians shows irregular scour casts, in the shallower parts of which terracing is horizontal but in the deeper parts of which it is dipping at up to 27°. It is inferred the the original sea floor consisted of cross-laminated surface layers. The palaeocurrent significance of inclined terraces is discussed.