The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-01


said that be compelled TO Draw q different in
ference from these Aude specimens from that deduccd
by Prof b; that Prof. BIS theory, II accepted,
would entail an entire revolution IN regard " the
mode Vi formation OF not only the import ant rock Ia
question, but Of large part OF the siliceous sed
Meutsry portion OF tue earths crust-that he wOaj
rather endeavor to I'D some mode by which these
pebbles might have been eroded subsequent to their
attrito and cepOstioD--that silica was so soluble
that il readily taken mp by q variety OF agents
water alone, alkaline solutions, having so wide a
range Of continuation that there was no difficulty in
the way Of referring the erosion Of these pebbles to
chemical action. He was confirmed in his adherence
10 the theory Of attrition by finding in this rock,
mingled with the quartz pebbles rolled fragments Of
jasper, trap, siliceous slate, DC, all Of which were
oertsiny transported and rounded by attrtion. He
had also recently, Lake Superior, 10 locali-
ties where the Potsdsm sandstone the quartz and
trap-were 50 associated together, q conglomer4 Ate
oruiog the beach which coud not be distinguished
from that Of the carbonife0Us The sandstone
broken do~n gave the sand tho quartz Jasper, trap,
&c. rolled into pebbles absolutely undisng 1ishasle
from those OF the caroonfcrcoos coDgomerate either
in number position, form meteorological character,
the surface sand being nppled in precisely the came
manner. Dr. N. had never seen anything IN the
structure Of t1e pebbles in question that looked like
connective stucture-but IN the contrary they had
the precise structure Of massiye crystalline quartz.
In reference 70 the mineral origin OF coal advocated
by Prof b. Dr. n. said he must join issue with
him becsuse first coal is associated with the impress
sons OF plants each plant being coated with pei
icle Of carbon corresponding to the size and density
Of the original plant; second, all coal may be shown
10 be composed of vegetable tissue; third, coal
has been forned by artificial processes of which
he cteo some new and interesting instances.
Prot HALL said he had been presen. at a former
meeting, when this subject was presented by Prof.
Brsinar bot at that time the remarks were mainly
coLfned 10 certain phenomena exhibited BY speci.
meJs presented to the meeting The question had,
however, assumed wider range aud we mad now
10 meei the theory Of scicus deposits from ISOLATION,
applied to all siicons deposits. la the case OF the
saDdstoDes and coDgiomoraies, have, according to
this theory part Of the deposit in the form OF peb-
bles; while the other part Ia Of 1ne sand, dne the
inter stices between them. These pebbles had been
compared 10 the concrPtions OF hs0t in chalk. They
we're, however, entirely unlike these there was no
appaIest Or real connective structure aben broken
they showed q amineted structure, and where there
cavities, n in specimen shown, these we're on
Que side aud appertainsd 70 the quatrz Ia its orr
ginal condition before it had been broken out and
ROLE into the Form Of pebble. The same pebble
presented, ALSO cavity OF the Kind on the ex-
tfl Tor s1rlsce, which had been led with sand. Prof.
Hall denied what bad bccn advanced by Prof B.,
that The sand uf sandstoLes vas In regular erys.
tsls, it being, on the oiLer band rounded grains in
all cases examined. The specimens presentod before
the aSsociafioD consisted u ,andstJnes colglone-
rates, crystsiIire quartz, hnnstoue, flint, &c. The
bufnS,one BON the Tennessee mountain bad no ana
oGy whatever with the pebbes Of the cong Generate,
nor there auy ,imlarly bstwsen crys sline
Gnnrz ard fIiabc tandetCGc IN Neir origin or -npde
production. II was true, he u egye0, that under