The special proofs of metamorphism which it is the object of this paper to point out, are rather of a geological than chemical nature. They consist, in short, of such evidence as may be readily gathered in the field, and although, to render them complete, they ought perhaps, to be followed up by analyses of the rocks, yet it is believed that the phenomena to be described tell a plain enough story.

It was my intention to have devoted this paper to the Coniferous Fruits found in Strata of Secondary age in Britain, reserving for future examination, those belonging to the later periods, but in the progress of my investigations I have found that, two remarkable cones, which have hitherto been considered as belonging to the Greensand, are certainly Tertiaryfossils; and having placed them on the plates which illustrate this paper, I shall include them in my descriptions.

Two years ago the French savans, Messrs. Lartet and Christy, laid before the Academy of Paris an account of their discoveries in the Dordogne, which proved the existence in that district of very ancient settlements of wild races of men, who kept herds of rein-deer. Since then, up to the present time, no further proofs have come to light, either in France or Germany, of the extraordinary fact that this animal—the existence of which is now limited within the 70th degree of north latitude—ever lived so far south as our own districts. The account we have now to give will probably therefore be read with great interest.