before we can prepare a final Report. The Plates exhibited to the Section and described below show some valuable results. Milne-Edwards and Jules Haime, in their paper on the Corals from the Mountain Limestone, published in the Transactions of the Palæontographical Society for 1852, state that this period is one of the richest in true Polyps, and that 76 species up to that date have been found; of these, they record 43 as found in British strata. In the progress of our investigations we so greatly add to this number that, from Scottish strata alone, we have obtained 64 species belonging to the following families : Milleporida Chatidida Halysitina Seriatoperida Auloporida Cyathaxenida Cyathophyllida :- Although some of these forms have been determined from somewhat imperfect data, we have no doubt that the continued investigation of these remains will yet greatly increase their number, and cause considerable alterations in their classification; we consequently feel the necessity of being more severe in our labours, not only with the view of adding to the knowledge of species, but of getting rid of the numerous synonyms which encumber the study of this interesting group of animal remains. Plate I. contains the genera Amplexus, Zephrentis, Cyathophyllum, and Campophyllum. Fig. 1 represents Amplexus coralloides (Sow.); fig. 7, A. Henslowii (Edwards & Haime). This genus is characterized by broad tabula and sparsely developed endotheca. These species are much restricted in their vertical range: we are not aware of their being found in any other position than in the lower members of the series. A. coralloides has been found at Beith, Ayrshire, and at Brockley, near Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire; A. Henslowii at Brockley, Lesmahagow. Figs. 3, 6, & 9 represent the genus Zephrentis; fig. 3, Z. cylindrica (Scoular). This form is restricted to the lower beds. Fig. 6, Z. Griffithi. This species is found in all the members of the Mountain Limestone. It has a vertical range of 3000 feet. Fig. 11, Z. Guerangeri; it is restricted to the lower beds, and is found at Auchenskeigh, Ayrshire. Fig. 2 is closely allied to fig. 3, and is probably a young form. Figs. 5 & 9 differ in the arrangement of the tabulæ. Figs. 8 & 10 represent the genus Cyathophyllum; fig. 8, C. Murchisonii. This species is very rare in Scotland, and found only in the lower beds at Bathgate, Linlithgowshire. Figs. 10 & 10 A, C. paricida. This species is also restricted to the lower beds. It is found at Beith, Ayrshire, and is not rare. Fig. 4, Campophyllum Murchisonii. This and the preceding forms are developed by calicular gemmation. In the longitudinal section of fig. 4, we have a young coral attached to the calice of the parent. In comparing the genus The 64 species referred to have been named from the works of Milne-Edwards and Haime and M'Coy. Those referred to as doubtful seem to us to have structural characteristics sufficient to warrant specific distinction; but as our investigations are not sufficiently advanced to warrant their determination, we reserve their classification for a future contribution. Campophyllum with Cyathophyllum and Zephrentis cylindrica, we cannot see any good grounds for these forms being placed in separate genera. The tabula and endotheca are very similar in all the three forms. Plate II. presents important structural confirmations. Fig. 1, Cyathophyllum Wrighti. Figs. 3, 10, & 13 are closely allied to Cyathophyllum, and probably may form a subgenus. They are all restricted to the lower beds, and are found at Brockley, Lesmahagow, and at Howret, Ayrshire. Figs. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, & 16 have close affinities to the genus Clisiophyllum (Dana), but there is a distinctly marked difference in the structural characteristics from those of any known species. All are restricted to the lower members of the period, and are found at Brockley, Lesmahagow. Plate III. contains seven varieties of the genus Clisiophyllum (Dana). This genus is characterized by the conical boss in the centre of the calice, and by the central line which passes down from the apex of the cone to the inferior extremity. Figs. 1, 3, & 4 have close affinities to fig. 6, which represents C. bipartitum (M'Coy), while there is a distinctly marked difference in structural characteristics. Figs. 2, 5, & 7 differ very materially from the others, and cannot be referred to any named species. They are all found in the lower members of the period at Beith, Ayrshire. Plate IV. contains five varieties. Fig. 5, Clisiophyllum coniseptum (Keyserling). This is the only named species represented on this Plate. Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4 differ very materially from any existing genus; they are not only restricted to the lower members of the period, but also to a very limited area of the period. They have only been found at Treahorn, near Beith, Ayrshire. Plate V. fig. 4 has close affinities to Clisiophyllum coniseptum. Fig. 1 has a clear generic distinction from all the others found that have passed through our hands. This coral we have found 10 inches in height, and frequently 2 inches in diameter. It is the largest form of this class we have yet seen. Figs. 4 & 5 are closely allied to figs. 1 & 4 of Plate IV. These, like the former, are all restricted both in vertical range and in area. They have only been found at Treahorn, near Beith, Ayrshire. Plate VI. figs. 1, 2, & 5 are three varieties of the genus Clisiophyllum (Dana), but they cannot be referred to any existing species with which we met. They are restricted both in vertical range and area. They are only found at the base of the rocks of this period, and are met with at Thirdpart, near Beith, Ayrshire. Figs. 3 & 4 show a distinctly marked difference in the essential characteristics from any known genus. They are found in the lower beds at Brockley, near Lesmahagow, and at Treahorn, Beith, Ayrshire. Plate VII. contains varieties of Cyclophyllum (Duncan & Thomson). Fig. 6 represents a section of the original fungitus of the Rev. David Ure; it is figured in his History of Rutherglen and East Kilbride,' in 1793. The original specimen is in the collection of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. By permission of the Council, we sliced that specimen with a view to ascertain to what genus it could be referred. The history of this specimen is perhaps one of the best illustrations on record showing the necessity of carefully working out the details of fossil corals before they receive either generic or specific names. It was named fungitus by Ure in 1793, Turbinolia fungitus by Fleming in 1828, Cyathophyllum fungitus by Geinitz in 1845, Clisiophyllum prolapsum by M'Coy in 1849, Aulophyllum fungitus by the same authors in 1851 who named it Aulophyllum prolapsum in 1845, viz. Milne-Edwards and Haime. This great diversity of nomenclature we can only attribute to the fact that non-essential and external characteristics have been too implicitly trusted in drawing generic distinctions; when we examine their internal structures, genera named exhibit essential differences of conformation. This genus is found all over Scotland, but is restricted to the base of the Mountain Limestone. Plate VIII. figs. 4, 5, & 14 represent varieties of Cyclophyllum fungitus; fig. 13, C. Bowerbanki. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, & 12 represent species which have a distinctly marked difference from the two species named. Fig. 9 is Aulophyllum Edwardsi (Duncan & Thomson). This is a section of the typical specimen, the only one, so far as we are aware, that has been discovered in British strata. These forms are all restricted to the lower members of the period; they are found at Bathgate, Brockley, and Beith, Ayrshire. Plate IX. contains three varieties of the genus Lonsdalia. Fig. 4 represents L. floriformis. This species is restricted to the lower members of the period, as found at Bathgate, Linlithgowshire. Figs. 1 & 2 are L. floriformis, var. major. This species is restricted to the position of the Main Limestone, about 33 feet from the base of the Mountain-Limestone series, and found at Braghead, Lesmahagow, and Braidwood, Carluke, Lanarkshire. Fig. 4 represents L. duplicata (Fleming). This is a section of the only specimen we have seen in Scotland. It is restricted to the lower member of the period, and found at Glenmuirshaw, near Muirkirk, Ayrshire. Second Report of the Committee, consisting of C. W. MERRIFIELD, F.R.S., G. P. BIDDER, C.E., F.R.G.S., Capt. DOUGLAS GALTON, F.R.S., F. GALTON, F.R.S., Prof. RANKINE, F.R.S., and W. FROUDE, appointed to report on the state of existing knowledge on the Stability, Propulsion, and Sea-going Qualities of Ships, and as to the application which it may be desirable to make to Her Majesty's Government on these subjects. Prepared for the Committee by C. W. MERRIFIELD, F.R.S. We have to report that we have availed ourselves of your permission to apply to the Admiralty to carry out the experiments recommended in our first Report, presented to the British Association at Exeter last year, and that the Admiralty have declined to carry out these experiments, but they have sanctioned certain experiments upon models to be conducted by Mr. Froude, one of our number. The following is a copy of the correspondence on the subject. Institution of Naval Architects, 9 Adelphi Terrace, London, W.C. 28th September, 1869. To the Secretary of the Admiralty. SIR,-At a Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Norwich in 1868, the attention of the Association was drawn to the deficiency of existing knowledge on the stability, propulsion, and sea-going qualities of ships, and to the need of further experiments on those subjects as a basis for the extension of theoretical investigation. A Committee, consisting of Mr. BIDDER, Capt. GALTON, Mr. F. GALTON, Prof. RANKINE, Mr. FROUDE, and myself, was appointed for the purpose of reporting on the state of existing knowledge on these subjects. At the recent Meeting at Exeter this Committee presented a first Report, in which they recommended certain experiments involving trials on too large a scale to be undertaken by private individuals; and the Association thereupon reappointed the Committee, and instructed them to apply to the Admiralty to carry out the experiments suggested. I enclose six copies of the Report, and also an extract showing the experiments actually recommended. With regard to the general question, it is submitted that there is a great want of exact experiments on vessels of which every particular is duly known and recorded. The experiments will undoubtedly require that a certain outlay should be incurred, and provided for in the estimates; but it is believed that even a considerable sum invested in this way would probably economize much larger amounts, which would otherwise have to be spent in the tentative design of ships and propellers. The Committee have indicated in their Report the class of experiments which they consider to be immediately required. They have purposely abstained from giving detailed proposals, both because they desire to avail themselves of the immense experience of the naval advisers of the Admiralty and of the unrivalled technical knowledge of the constructor's department, and because the details must after all be settled with reference to the vessels selected for, and the staff entrusted with, the experiments decided upon. If My Lords should be pleased to give a general assent to the proposal, it appears to the Committee that the simplest plan would be for their Lordships to appoint some of their officers to confer with the Committee of the Association, both as to the detail of the experiments and the best means of carrying them out, and with regard to the provision which will be needed for them in the estimates. The Committee wish it to be understood that they do not by any means discourage experiments made by means of models, which can evidently be had in greater number and in larger variety at much less expense than on full scale; but they have (with the exception of Mr. Froude, whose reasons for dissent are appended to the Report), on the whole, come to the conclusion that the experiments which they have recommended upon full-sized vessels are those which at the present moment are most urgently needed for the advancement of the theory of the design of ships and the possibility of predicating their sea-going qualities. I have, &c., C. W. MERRIFIELD. Admiralty, S.W. 9th February, 1870. SIR,-With reference to your letter of the 28th September, 1869, I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to inform you that, after full consideration, they are unable to give a general assent to the proposals of your Committee to conduct experiments upon Her Majesty's ships in the fiords of Norway, or on the inland waters of the west coast of Scotland; but My Lords have been pleased to sanction certain experiments upon models, to be conducted by Mr. Froude, a member of the Committee, and will cause the results of those experiments to be communicated, when complete, to the Institution of Naval Architects, the British Association, and such other Professional bodies as to My Lords may seem desirable. I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, (Signed) C. W. Merrifield, Esq., F.R.S., VERNON LUSHINGTON. Secretary to the Committee on Stability &c. of British Association. We are of opinion that it is advisable to await the result of Mr. Froude's experiments before taking any further action in the matter. London, May 1870. APPENDIX. FRANCIS GALTON. DOUGLAS GALTON. W. J. MACQUORN RANKINE. CHARLES W. MERRIFIELD. Communication received from the Institution of Engineers in Scotland, with which is incorporated the Scottish Shipbuilders' Association. Report of the Committee on a Communication received from the British Association respecting the Qualities of Ships. Your Committee having considered the printed Report of a Committee of the British Association which has been submitted to them by the Council and other information on the same subject, beg leave to report as follows:1. Your Committee approve of the said Report generally, and especially of the parts headed "Proposed Experiments," pages 29 to 31, and "Recommendation of Experiments on Rolling," pages 59 to 63; for they consider that such experiments as those therein proposed are required for the practical advancement of the arts of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, as well as for scientific purposes. 2. Your Committee agree with the Committee of the British Association that the experiments required are beyond the means either of individuals or of firms, or of Scientific Societies; and that it is therefore desirable that they should be undertaken by the Government. 3. Your Committee therefore recommend that the Council of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland should appoint a deputation, for the purpose of cooperating with the deputation of the Council of the British Association in the application to the Admiralty proposed in the last paragraph of page 31, and in the last paragraph but one of page 62, of the printed Report before mentioned, which paragraphs are as follows: Page 31.-"We therefore recommend that the Council of the British Association should authorize a deputation to apply to the Admiralty to provide for such a set of experiments in the course of the Summer of 1870; also, that the Council should appoint a Committee, consisting of three members of the Association, to confer with officers of the Admiralty respecting the detail of the experiments, and that the Admiralty should be requested to give an opportunity to the members of that Committee of taking a share in the observations, in order that they may be enabled to make an independent Report upon results." Page 62.-"We therefore recommend that the deputation previously mentioned with reference to the experiments on Resistance, be also instructed |