In a paper, “On the Geology of the South Coast of England,” published in the Transactions of the Geological Society, vol. i., 2nd ser., pl. iii., fig. 2, p. 42, Sir H. de la Beche has figured a crustacean from the Greensand of Lyme Regis, to which he has not applied any name, or given any other description than that it is “the back of a singular fossil crab.” The specimen is, imperfect, and not very accurately drawn; but Prof. Bell, in his monograph, published by the Palæontographical Society (1862), expresses his opinion that it is an “unmistakeable figure” of Necrocarcinus tricarinatus.

During a recent visit to the Marseilles Museum, and while examining the rich collection of fossil insects preserved there, my attention was attracted by two specimens of the remains of a fossil butterfly. Although not very well preserved, nor indeed so perfect as the specimen of a fossil butterfly from the same formation, which was described thirty years ago by Dr. Boisduval, it was evident, at first sight, that the remains in question belonged to a different species, since the lateral moulding of the principal wings was very much inflated.

In his excellent paper on New Scottish Graptolites, published in the last monthly part of the GeologicalMagazine, Mr. John Hopkinson incidentally refers to the various opinions that have been held by different geologists concerning the thickness and geological age of the carbonaceous Graptolite-bearing shales of South Scotland. He expresses his conviction, derived from a study of the fossils they afford, that there is but “a single band of Graptolite shale, which runs through the Llandeilo beds of South Scotland, there being in this band several distinct zones, each marked by a different assemblage of fossils, but with many species in common.”

In my last communication. I gave some account of all the varieties of Arran pitchstones then known to me, and referring to other closely allied rocks, intimated an intention of describing them on another occasion.

The researches in which the Author has been personally engaged during the last four years into the Temperature and other Physical conditions of the Deep Sea, combined with the information he has obtained from other sources, have led him to the knowledge of certain remarkable differences in regard to these conditions, which prevail between Inland Seas and the open Ocean. As these differences have a most direct and important bearing upon the distribution of Animal life, and as it would seem highly probable that similar differences have existed in all Geological periods, he thinks it important that Geologists, by being made aware of them, should be in possession of a key that seems likely to open the way to a rational interpretation of many Palæontological phenomena which are at present obscure.