Scientific Intelligence — Geology and Mineralogy, 201 



other for many years, and which seems to me to contain the key of 

 the whole theory of the crystalline formations, is the fan-shaped struc- 

 tme of the central masses of the Alps. It is first of all necessary to 

 know if these strata are true beds of sediment, originally horizontal, or 

 if the fan-shaped division is secondary and dependent on molecular 

 actions ; and I have not yet been able to decide between these two 

 modes of viewing the subject. We are in possession of very favour- 

 able arguments for the second. I find one in the great regularity of 

 strata extending for great distances without the least inflexion ; whereas 

 the calcareous and schistose formations of the Alps generally exhibit 

 contortions which announce the most violent movements throughout their 

 whole mass. It is but little probable that these movements should have 

 acted only on the edges of the central masses ; and one would be almost 

 led to admit, that at the centre the sedimentary structure has been entire- 

 ly effaced. Another argument results from the direct observation, that 

 near the contact of the limestone and the gneiss, the vertical structure 

 of the gneiss is never visible ; that, on the contrary, the gneiss, or rather 

 a mixed rock, follows the stratification of the limestone, and even al- 

 ternates several times with the beds of limestone which contain organic 

 debris ; and that it is only at some distance from the limit of the two 

 rocks that the vertical structure presents itself This is evident, for 

 example, in the Grindelwald, at the contact of the Mettenberg and the 

 Schreckhorn, and in the valley of Urbach. But other facts which do 

 not appear less decisive, are more favourable to the opinion which re- 

 gards the fan-shaped strata as true elevated beds. There is first the 

 alternation of various rocks, different varieties of granite, gneiss, amphi- 

 bolite, &c. in the same fan ; and the fact that this structure is not li- 

 mited to crystalline rocks, but extends at the two extremities of the 

 central crystalline mass, very far into the sedimentary fom^tions which 

 surround it ; finally, that, at the two sides of the central mass which 

 are parallel to its direction, the crystalline beds are in concordant stra- 

 tification \yith the sedimentary beds, which themselves form part of 

 the fan. I had hoped to work out this grand problem in my last 

 year's tour, but I am now no farther advanced than I was a year 

 ago." 



2. Dr Houghton on the Geognostical position of the mimerous masses 

 of native Copper in North America, — It is a fact well known, that south 

 from the northern peninsula of Michigan, transported masses of native 

 copper are occasionally met with in the diluvial deposits which are so 

 abundantly spread over the country ; and these loose masses are distributed 

 over an area of many thousand miles, including Southern Michigan, Wis- 



