76 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Feb. 



period consisted of a diminution of the summer heat, and was of 

 no greater amount than that fairly attributable to the great 

 depression of the land and the different distribution of the ice- 

 bearing Arctic current. 



In connection with the plants above noticed, it is interesting to 

 observe that at Green's Creek, at Pakenham Mills, at Montreal, 

 and at Clarenceville on Lake Champlain, species of Canadian 

 Pulmonata hcive been found in deposits of the same age with 

 those containing the plants. The species which have been noticed 

 belong to the genera Lymnea and Planorbis.* 



I may also state as a curious fact, that among the nodules con- 

 taining leaves, I have found some containing impressions of 

 /.''.titers, apparently of some small grallatorial bird. The sub- 

 stance of the feather has disappeared even more completely than 

 in the celebrated Solenhofen specimens, but the impression is 

 perfect, and in these hard nodular concretions might endure for 

 any length of time. In searching for the fossil plants, I have also 

 found an interesting addition to the fauna of these deposits in a 

 Stickleback of the genus Gasterosteus. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



New Fluid for preserving Natural History speci- 

 mens ; by A. E. Verrill. — In consequence of the high price of 

 alcohol, a series of experiments were undertaken by me last year, 

 with the view of finding a substitute for it in preserving the soft 

 parts of animals. Among the various solutions and liquids tested 

 were nearly all that have ever been recommended, besides many 

 new ones. Chlorid of zinc, carbolic acid, glycerine, chlorid of 

 calcium, acetate of alumina, arsenious acid, Goadby's solutions, 

 and various combinations of these and other preparations were 

 carefully tried, and the results made comparative by placing the 

 same kind of objects in each, at the same time. Although each 

 of these, under certain circumstances, have more or less preserva- 

 tive qualities, none of them were found satisfactory, especially 

 when the color and form of the specimen are required to be pre- 

 served as well as its structure. 



* Canadian Naturalist, 1S50, p. 195 ; « Geology oi Canada,' 1863, p. 92S. 



