Journal of Proceedings, lxxxi
pyrites, pieces of wood and vertebra? of fish. The iron pyrites arose, I
suppose, by the decomposition of the animal matter.
"When, some months ago, these beds were examined by me, the ques-
tions foremost in my mind were—How were these beds formed, and are
beds of a similar nature being deposited now ? A close and careful
examination of the mud of the Woolwich beds—for mud it undoubtedly
is—led to the inference that it must have been deposited very quietly
either at the edge or at the bottom of a slowly-moving stream, whose
gentle ripple laid the fragments of shells in a soft mud. That it was a
very gentle current is evident from the fact that scarcely any pebbles
are found in the mud.
" Upon examining the banks of the Lea as it flows through the Leyton
Marshes, I found mud containing abundance of broken shells, bits of
coal, fish-bones, &c. In this mud the genera of the Woolwich beds are
represented by recent shells. Instead of the Cyrena we have Cyclas and
a large mussel, the only genera having species in both Woolwich beds
and recent mud being Planorbis and Valvata.
" Upon comparing specimens of the two muds, one cannot but be struck
with their similarity, and cannot help coming to the conclusion that the
two had a similar origin, namely, the washing up of the detritus by
a gentle current, and its quiet deposition on the side and in the bends of
the river channel. Specimens of both are laid on the table for
comparison."
Mr. Wire exhibited a series of specimens, in illustration of the note,
obtained from the sewerage works then being carried on in the high road
south of Leyton railway-station. He further remarked on the points of
similarity between the Woolwich beds and the beds which the river Lea
is at present depositing, arguing therefrom that the Woolwich beds were
deposited by a slowly-moving stream.
Mr. N. F. Robarts said that they must not seek to connect the deposits
now being accumulated in the Lea Valley in any way with the deposit
which forms the Woolwich beds. There was no connection whatever
between the two.
The President thought Mr. Wire's specimens and observations well
worthy of consideration, but he agreed with Mr. Robarts that there was
probably little similarity in the conditions now observable in the fresh-
water deposits of the Lea, and those which obtained when the Woolwich
beds were deposited. Mr. Wire would do well to make sectional drawings
of the beds at Leyton.
The usual conversazione concluded the meeting.
Saturday, October 28th, 1882.—Ordinary Meeting.
The thirty-second Ordinary Meeting of the Club was held at the Head-
quarters at seven o'clock, the President in the chair.
Contributions to the Library were announced from Dr. Cooke, Mr. T.
V. Holmes, and Mr. W. White.
The following were elected members:—Ferdinand Coles, F.L.S.,
f