Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-24
GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY,
Papers on Volcanoes, Artesian Wells and
Other Subjects Presented.

Other Subjects Presented.
A paper read before section E-geology and
geography-by Henry Lanyard, Montreal,
Canada, gave few notes on an extinct volcano
at Montreal. It was shown in the paper by
conclusive proof that the age of that mountain
was more recent than it was previously
thought to be. A description was given of the
various dykes cutting the mountain and it was
shown that at Montreal there existed the
second nepheline syenite quarry in North
America, the other one being at Garland
county, Arkansas The following minerals were
described as occurring at Montreal, stilbite,
hanynite, sodalite, and a description was given
Of that strange mineral dawsonite and shown
coating the phonolite. Among other minerals
found were analcite and matrolite and lucite.
ON ARTEsIAN WELLS.
In the section devoted to geology and geo.
graphy Messrs. Herman L. Fairchild and E. W.
Claypole presented papers on artesian wells
bored near Rochester. N. Y, and Akron, Ohio,
respectively. and exhibited specimens taken
from the various strata passed through by the
drill. Prof. ]. Crawford presented an inter-
Nicaragua, describing the organization Of the
force and its work. Prof. w. ]. MCGEE pre-
sented a paper entitled:
'NEoCENE AND PLEIsToCENE CONTINENT MOVE
MENrs."
The communication was based on observa-
tions begun in the District Of Columbia some
years since and gradually extended over tho
coasted lowlands from New York through
Florida to the Mississippi river. Mr.. MCGEE
pointed out that by means of these studies he
asccrtained that during past periods the land
stood sometimes higher and sometimes lower
than now with respect to sea level, and during
the past few months the character and ampli-
tude of these continental oscillations have been
ascertained. The record presented before the
session began with the time biologists called
pleistocene, when the land stood from three to
eight hundred feet lower than now. Imme-
diately after this episode the land rose from
height and the shores of the Atlantic and gulf
retreated 500 to 100 miles beyond their present
position. Afterward the land gradually sank
and the waters readvanced until the geography
was much the same as that Of today. Then
came another incursion OF the ocean and gulf
upon which Washington was built and over
considerable portions Of the coastal lOwlands
toward the north and the south. During this
period there was deposited a series OF loans
and brick clay and boulder beds, upon which
Washington was located and which has been
named, from the District, the Columbia forma-
ton. At the close Of the Columbia period
the land again rose 100 or 400 feet
higher than at present and river channels were
cut fifty to seventy-fve miles beyond the present
coast line. 1t then began to sink, and this
movement is yet in progress. Incidentally
MIR. MCGEE pointed out that there have been
periods of high level in the pest, but these
glaciation; from which it was inferred that the
glacial periods cannot be ascribed to high con-
tinentsI altitude, a. some geologists have sup
posed.