Of the above twenty species thus enumerated as common to the Upper Silurians of Bohemia and the Lower Silurians of Britain, four species are found in the Llandeilo, all (with the doubtful exception of Retiolites Geinitzianus) are found in the Caradoc, and fifteen species occur in the Llandovery rocks of the latter country. Not one of these species, on the other hand, is found in the corresponding rocks of Bohemia, namely in the second fauna. These species, therefore, go to show that "the elements of the third fauna of Bohemia, which are represented in the colonial fauna, existed in notable numbers in a foreign country, at a time when the second fauna still predominated in the Silurian basin of Bohemia. These species thus establish an indirect connexion between the second fauna of Britain and the colonies of Bohemia.

VI. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.

As to the general conclusions which may be deduced from the whole of the above facts, it will be sufficient to give briefly the series of propositions laid down by M. Barrande, merely remarking that these conclusions are in the main warranted by the facts, and that any subsequent modifications are not likely to affect their general tenor.

In the first place, it seems certain that during the existence of the last phases of the second fauna in Bohemia, the first phases of the third fauna had become more or less fully developed in some other country hitherto unknown.

Starting from this centre of diffusion, migrations must have taken place at different epochs into Bohemia, during the whole of the deposition of the thick band d 5.

On every occasion these migrations must have given rise to colonies, which are placed on the same horizon, and consist of graptolitic schists, almost always accompanied by flows of trap, and often containing calcareous concretions.

In consequence of inauspicious conditions, and from the cessation of these schistose and calcareous deposits, all the colonies must have enjoyed a relatively short existence during the period that the Bohemian area was occupied by the second fauna.

The appearance of the colonies coinciding constantly with the graptolitic deposits, we are compelled to attribute both equally to the influence of currents arising in the same quarter.

The introduction of intermittent currents into the isolated basin of Bohemia seems to have been caused by oscillations of the land, connected with the production of the traps which occur so frequently in bands d 5 and e 1.

In all cases, the colonial species appeared on different horizons without being able to establish themselves permanently in Bohemia during the last phase of the second fauna.

After the complete extinction of the second fauna, however, and after a prolonged intermission, during which the Bohemian basin appears to have been deserted, a new immigration, arising from the same foreign centre, must have invaded the Bohemian sea, and must have succeeded in permanently establishing itself there. (I may remark here that few paleontologists would admit that the presence of a considerable mass of unfossiliferous beds in the midst of a fossiliferous series, necessarily implies a period in which life did not exist, as above assumed by M. Barrande. More probably the local conditions were such as to cause a local migration of the existent fauna, or such as not to allow of their preservation in a fossil condition. There certainly do not seem to be sufficient grounds for the assumption that the whole of the second fauna of Bohemia died out during the deposition of the upper part of d 5, and the absence of fossils might be partially accounted for by the lithological nature of the deposits in ques

tion, which are stated by Barrande to consist chiefly of graywackes and grits (" quartzites"). Lastly, there are indications that e 1 is superimposed unconformably upon d 6, in which case the interval between the second and third faunas may have been an enormously long one, and some intermediate deposits may be missing.)

The above definitive introduction, constituting the first phase of the third or Upper Silurian fauna, must have taken place during the deposition of the band e 1, the basement band of the superior division, which agrees lithologically with the colonies in being composed of graptolitic schists with calcareous concretions, alternating with sheets of trap.

It is clear that the interpretation of the facts rests chiefly on the hypothesis of migrations. Most geologists now admit the doctrine of migrations, and Bohemia more than any country presents us with proofs of its truth.

Thus, M. Barrande has shown that the Bohemian basin of Silurian times was separated by natural barriers from the contemporaneous ocean which covered the great northern zone of Europe and America. This is shewn by the specific differences between many of the forms (such as the Cephalopoda) of these areas; but the occurrence of some species common to Bohemia and Northern Europe has also shown that there must have existed temporary communications between these different regions. Further, M. Barrande has shown Mem. sur la Reapparition du genre Arethusina, 1868,) that although the colonies are the most striking examples of the intermittent appearance of species in Bohemia, there exists besides in the same basin a considerable number of species equally intermittent, and belonging to different classes of fossils. This was particularly shown by the occurrence of four Trilobites and one Cephalopod, which existed in d 1, at the commencement of the second fauna, completely disappeared during d 2, d 3, and d 4, and reappeared in d 5 at the close of the second fauna, their reappearance coinciding precisely with the introduction of the colonies into the basin.

Both these circumstances can be explained by the same hypothesis, namely by supposing a temporary communication to be formed between the Bohemian basin and other seas. This hypo

thesis would not only explain the reappearance of the above-mentioned species after the lapse of a vast period of time, but would also allow of the almost inevitable introduction of various other new forms into the same basin at the same time.

We have, then, on the one hand, the fact that the Silurian basin of Bohemia was isolated and separated from other regions, over which successively existed the three general faunas characteristic of the Silurian period (with the Upper Cambrian). On the other hand, divers well established facts demonstrate the coexistence of a certain number of identical species on corresponding horizons in countries geographically widely removed from one another. This co-existence can only be explained by the effect of migrations.

We may suppose, therefore, that the repeated introduction into Bohemia of species which are equally characteristic of the colo nies and of the third fauna, may be explained by having recourse to the phenomenon of migrations. We may also suppose that the intermittent appearance of the colonies may be attributed to oscillations of the land during the last phases of the second fauna, the occurrence of such oscillations being testified by the frequent intercalation of traps in the beds in question (viz. in d 5).

as con

Lastly, we may define the phenomena of colonies sisting in the co existence of two general fauna, which, considered in their entirety, are nevertheless successive."

THE WHALE OF THE ST. LAWRENCE.

By Dr. J. W. ANDERSON, President of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec.

In the early history of Canada, the whale and walrus fishery of the Gulf of St. Lawrence was of no inconsiderable influence, giving employment to many of the Basque and Breton fishermen, and being one of the best nurseries for French seamen In later times when the walrus had become entirely extinct, the whale fishery was prosecuted with energy by the Canadians, especially of the District of Gaspe; and Bouchette, writing in 1832, says: "The whale fishery is carried on with some success by a few active and enterprising inhabitants, who are almost exclusively employed in this kind of fishery. Four or five schooners, manned each with from eight to twelve able and skilful persons, are occupied in whaling during the summer months. This business yields about 18,000 gallons of oil, which is principally sent to Quebec.

The number of hands employed in reducing the blubber to oil, preparing casks, and other incidental labour, may amount to about 100."

Mr. Frank Austin, a few years ago, read a paper to the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, on "Some of the Fishes of the St. Lawrence." In this paper, published in the "Transactions" for 1866, it is stated that it gave profitable employment to a good many schooners of from seventy to eighty tons burthen, each manned by eight men. Each schooner carried two boats, twenty feet long, narrow and sharp, with a pink stern. There were two hundred and twenty fathoms of line to each boat, and the proper supply of harpoons and lances. The species caught was that commonly called the Humpback, and each on an average produced three tons of oil. The mode of capture was somewhat different from that practised by the whalers who resort to Davis' Straits and Greenland, and it is said that any active man, accustomed to the management of boats, could soon become proficient. When approaching the whale in the boats, the men used paddles instead of oars, finding that less noise was made, and that they were thus surer of their prey. It would appear that the whale of the St. Lawrence was even more easily captured than that of Greenland, being if anything more timid and stupid when once harpooned, for sometimes within fifteen minutes after they had been struck, their huge bodies rolled like helpless logs on the The oil-yielded in 1864 by the Gaspe fishery was of the value of $17,000. We have no means at hand to say what the returns have been since then, but we have reason to fear that like the porpoise fishery, the capture of the whale has not received that attention which it deserved, nnd that unless new life be imparted, it will altogether cease to be prosecuted as a regular and remunerative branch of national industry. The valuable walrus fishery was lost by ignorance, which led to the complete extinction of the animal in the St. Lawrence. The whale fishery stands a chance of abandonment from apathy.

water.

We were struck on reading Sir Richard Bonnycastle's book, published in 1845, by remarking the number of whales which he saw on his voyage up and down the St. Lawrence, between Gaspe and Kamouraska. Certainly they do not now frequent the St. Lawrence in such abundance.

In the Canadian Magazine, vol. 1, page 283, will be found as follows:-"About the middle of September (1823) a large whale