1866.] MEETING OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. 125 



from various analogies, between the melting point of tin and low 

 redness. 



The distinction between the apatite, graphite and magnetite 

 disseminated in the beds, and the same minerals in the^veins, was 

 particularly insisted upon. As to the origin of the principal 

 silicious minerals of the limestones, such as serpentine, chondrodite, 

 pyroxene, rensellaerite and loganite, Dr. Hunt regards these as 

 having been directly deposited as chemical precipitates from the 

 seas of the time; and cites the example of the Eozoon Canadense, 

 an abundant fossil of the age, found imbedded in these silicates, 

 which enclose it, and fill the minute pores of its calcareous 

 skeleton. To a similar chemical precipitation he attributes the 

 serpentines, talcs, chlorites and epidotes which occur in more 

 recent rocks, and may be found in their incipient state before the 

 metamorphosis of these rocks, which has for the most part only 

 crystallized and re-arranged the already-formed amorphous sili- 

 cates. The chemical agencies which gave rise to these silicates of 

 lime, magnesia, iron and alumina were briefly discussed, and 

 declared to be still active, although probably to a less degree than 

 formerly. 



(Corrected from the Newspaper Reports.) 



ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MONTREAL 

 NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 



DELIVERED MAY 18TH, 1866^ 



By Charles Smallwood, H.D., LL.D., D.C.L., &c, President of the 



Society. 



My Lord and Gentlemen, — The rolling wheels of time have 

 again brought us to this our annual re-union. Thirty-nine years 

 have passed away since this Society was founded ; and it now 

 devolves upon me, as your President, (a position which I owe to 

 your individual kindness,) to resign into your hands the charge 

 you have placed in my keeping. I felt at the outset my utter 

 inability to fulfil those duties which my predecessors have so well 

 and so efficiently discharged ; but I relied upon your help and 

 assistance, and was assured that what was wanting in my own 

 personal exertions, would be supplied by your advice and help. 

 In this, gentlemen, I have not been disappointed ; and permit me 

 now to tender to each of you individually my best and warmest 



