208 proceedings of the academy of 



lar^e mass of deep-red sandrock containing fossil shells badly 

 preserved and lying upon the carboniferous limestone, which had 

 been seen by Mr. Cope. 



These facts all went to establish the view expressed by Dr. 

 LeConte in his report in 1867, viz. : the greater complication of 

 the older formations to the soutli and west, of the intercontinen- 

 tal gulf which in previous geological periods divided the Chippe- 

 wyan from the Appalachian subcontinent. 



Corresponding to this, the older rocks became more simple 

 towards the north, while the subdivisions of the newer formations 

 were great^- increased in number, as the gulf became gradually 

 shallower and was converted finally into a fresh-water lacustrine 

 region. 



June 15. 

 The President, Dr. Ruschenberger, in the chair. 

 Twenty-two members present. 



Fruiting of double Peaches. Mr. Meehan exhibited some 

 branches of peach, in which the young fruit were in twos and 

 threes from one flower. They were from the Chinese double- 

 flowering kind. He remarked that, as is well known, plants with 

 double flowers were rarely fertile. Either the stamens were 

 wholly changed to petals, or the less vital conditions which always 

 accompanied this floral state, were unequal to the task of pro- 

 ducing perfect pistils. Vitality, however, Avas more or less affected 

 by external conditions, independently of the mere structure of 

 organs, and this was well illustrated by the remarkable fertility of 

 the peach this season. Usually large numbers of fruit fell without 

 " setting," as it is technically called by orchardists, not because 

 there was any defect in the organs of reproduction, but from lack 

 of vital force to accomplish so much. This season many more 

 had continued, than had been known for many } r ears, and the 

 prospect was for an immense crop of fruit. This abounding 

 vitality had evidently extended to the double peaches, and had 

 influenced the development of the female organs to an unusual 

 extent. 



The facts had an interest in botanical classification. The late 

 Professor Lindley had removed the cherry, plum, peach and 

 allies, from Rosacea?, chiefly because they had but a single, free 

 carpel, and had grouped them as Drupacese. 



The production of two and three carpels in this case showed 

 the true relation, and might be of use to those interested in 

 '' theories of descent." 



