Miscellaneous. 237 



Finally, that the foot-marks belonged to a group of rocks which 

 must be considered to have been produced by the same general causes 

 which gave rise to the new red sandstone of Europe, and referable 

 only to that sandstone. This sandstone presents foot-marks in many 

 localities, though comparatively but a few years have elapsed since 

 attention has been called to them. Some of the specimens have 

 reached this country, and had they not, the information is well given 

 by Dr. Buckland in his Bridgewater Treatise. The most remark- 

 able of these foot-marks is that of the Chirotherium from the quarries 

 of Hessberg, near Hildburghausen in Saxony, and greatly resembles 

 a fleshy human hand. These, in the drawing and in the specimen 

 which we have seen, are alternately right and left. Other foot- 

 marks have been observed by Mr. Linse in the same sandstone, 

 having made out four species of animals, some of which are con- 

 jectured to belong to gigantic Batrachians. Near Dumfries, the 

 foot-marks of animals, probably tortoises, were obtained from the 

 same sandstone, but as yet no tracks like those of New England 

 have been discovered. 



The facts, &c. which led to a different conclusion are these. First, 

 that the forms assumed by fucoidal plants were numerous and imi- 

 tative, some resembling the tail of a rooster, the cauda galli; another, 

 which was like a large claw or paw, and which may have been a lusus 

 nature ; and the two specimens on the table of the Association, which 

 present in relief a distinct tripartite form. As these all appertain to 

 rocks of great antiquity in comparison with those of New England, 

 it appeared more reasonable to believe that there might be resem- 

 blances as perfect, as the fossils with a tripartite character were ap- 

 proximations to the forms in question. 



That no trace of organic matter could be discovered by the eye in 

 the greater number of the Fucoides. In some, such as the Harlani, they 

 have been seen to be made up of small pebbles, presenting no little 

 difficulty, not to the manner only in which the organic matter was 

 replaced, the external form being complete, but the nature of this 

 material, which could make so definite an impression and preserve 

 its form entire. 



There were other facts which showed resemblances, such as that 

 the part in relief was the part removed when the Fucoid was at- 

 tached to the sandstone at its upper part. It may also be stated, 

 that the appendages to the heel of some of the New England tracks 

 might have been caused by a bird whose legs were feathered, but 

 not a wader ; and they favoured their vegetable origin, for the ap- 

 pendages might readily be conceived to be either leaves or radicals, 

 or both. 



From a comparative examination of the facts on both sides, your 

 committee unanimously believe, that the evidence entirely favours 

 the views of Prof. Hitchcock, and should regret that a difference had 

 existed, if they did not feel assured it would lead to greater stability 

 of opinion. To liken things to what we know, is the nature of mind ; 

 the error from this tendency increases with ignorance, and dimi- 

 nishes as knowledge increases ; so that he that knoweth all things, as 

 is self-evident, can commit no error when following this instinct of 



