Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-08-30
s,.,ion R-Na,ural History and Geology

Prof. A E verrill Of Yale College. presented the
first paper, on the Geographical Distribution Of
Radiatcs on the West Coast Of America Some
5000 species Of marine shells were known on the
two opposite coasts of tropical North America.
Those on different sides of the lsthmus were
similar, but Of distinct species Adams how
ever had found one, and another naturalist 10
species, on the western coast, identical with |
those on the eastern. Here were two things TO /
account for-the dissimilarity and the resemo-
lance Of these two fauna. The Likeness Of eli |
matte conditions was held sufficient TO explain
the general likeness between the fauna oil the
opposite shores, while the differences were owing
70 the total separation Of the two oceans by the
Isthmus. The Professor would account for the
few species held to be identical, BY supposing a
| former communication Of the waters Of the At
lantic and Pacific, by some small channel. The
Professor also mentioned the fact that-contrary
to the received opinion-the mean level OF the
Carribeau Sea and the Pacific had been shown
by late surveys to be precisely the same
Prot. Hungerford followed with an excellent
paper on the Climate of the Glacial Epoch III
North America. We regret that we cannot iur-
nish proper abstract Of it.
The third paper vas by Col Whittlesey, upon
the DEPRESSION Of the Sea during the same
period He did not read his entire paper, but
abiding to that Of Prof II. said be not only
agreed with most of his views. but would 60
still further than he, and assert motion Of the
whole glacier from the centre outwards, pro-
duced by refrigeration and other causes. Col
W. supposed there had been vast Accommodations
of ice in the interior Of the continent, OF tueh
immense weight as TO affect the shape Of the
earth's crust and change the slope Of the land,
The fourth paper was read by Mr. Hunger
s ford, IN which be discussed the Sea Beaches OF
I Riptou. Vermont At this locality were to be
seen four distinctly marked offsets at the height
Of from so to lG5 feet above the bed Of the val
2 ley. These terraces were supposed to indicate
e the presence of an ancient sea, Of at least ZOO
eet IN depth The bOulders found here in the
Il tvslley, and those occurring elsewhere, he con
siiered to have been transported, not in giaci-
Il ers, but in icebergs and ice-rafts.
" Prof Hitchcock spoke of Mr.. Hungerford as
n having made valuable contributions to our the
d oretical view Of the glacial period. Ripton af
of foried the best proof to be had in New England
Of the drift theory, and he advised biologists Il
visit the place, az it was easily reached.
The fifth paper, by DR.. Newberry, on tn
CretaceOus and Tertiary flora Of North America
n WAS read by title.
I The sixth, by Prof. Marsh Of Yale College
L. was on certain effects produced upon fossils b.
Oh weathering. Certain peculiarities in some fos
tt sill shells. which had been p zzle to the Ger
( man biologists, were very clearly explained b.
ID Prof. NJ. as due to the action Of the elements
the parts of the shell being differently compose
On and of different degrees Of hardness
I, Prof Newberry expressed his qualification a
Of the simple solution which Prof. u. had given
On an interesting and difficult question.
Is The seventh paper was read by Prof c. /
u Hitchcock, on the Geology Of Vermont. Wit
o the help Of a map cOlOred to represent the Chi
~ geological features of the State, and few crO'
ne sections, showing the succession of the diereI
ID strata, Prof H. preceded to discuss brief
on some Of the more noticeable points in the Cecil
e. gy of the State.
i The geological survey was begun in lSl5 b
Prof Adams, Of Middlebury College, taken u
en- by Prof ZadOck Thompson. at his death a
Oh signed to Judge Young Of St. Adams, and fna
&c ly to the late President Hitchcock Of Amhers
u The work preparatory to the last rePOl
TO was done in the main by crossing Il
rs State at thirteen different places. The nil
n erals collected on these tours Of exploratiC
we're arranged at the State House in as man
P different shelves, giving geological map Of IL
III State.
nc We regre; that We have not room TO give bel
Oe all the points brought forward by Mr.. H., SIM
they would be Of special interest to YermOnter
One of them was the anti-clinsl structure of th
HI Green Mountain system, shown by the fact hi
~ strata of limestone and sandstone occurred
IT. exactly the same order on the opposite sides
III the range. Sir William Logan, though adv
oL eating the synclinsl structure Of this syster
IT. vet admitted the snticlinal make Of a mounts
little to the north of the Vermont line. NJ
~ II. said Prof Emmons' T.conic system was
WI strange mixture Of errors snd eccentrictes. al
NJ now proved to have no existence in nature, wi
US the exception Of the black states which under
the the sandstone, as at Rock Point; yet the mar
was found in European maps.
u Some discussion followed between Prof litc
Z, cock and Row J. B. Perry as to the relative ?
0i' sitIon Of the slate ard sandstone strata.
an The eighth paper, by Mr.. A. S. Packard, il
on the insect Fauna Of the summit Of Moul
At Washington as compared With thst Of Labr
'He dor, was read by its title.
'ei The ninth paper was read BY Mr. F, W. P'
nam, On the Ich,hyolOgical Fauna of Is
oV Champlain 1t was bis opinion that the maj
ity Of the fishes in this Lake had come from |
Great Lake,. Excluding those which vi
found in brooks and those which had Original
come from the ses, the genera in Lake Cha
IKE plain and Lake Erie we're identical, and |
Did species almost exactly the same in humber.
lion 45 species in this lake, 20 were found in La
and Erie, while there were only eight or ten spec
Sc in the Great Lakes, which did not occur
ies- Lake Cbamplsin. Twtbty-fuur Of the fol
or five we're found nowhere else IN New Englar
ght though they had wide distribution wesival
oil Umbagog, ior instance, cut Of thirteen spec
had has only tso which occur in Champlain.
lie The tenth paper, by Mr.. Hyatt, gave the
ing suits Of his observations on the Phenogamo
ual Plants Of Southeastern New York. in regard
Ays their time of towering, sc.
: 1t The eleventh, by Rev. J B Perry, on the r
arL Sand stone Of Vermont and its relations, "
the read only by title, owing to the lsteness of I
III hour.
'u NEw MEMBERS.
The following names Of persons recommend
for members ship Of the Scientific Associate