1865.] CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL WATERS. 299 



§ S2. A further development of this view would lead us too 

 far for the scope of this paper. It will however be seen that the 

 first precipitates from the ocean would contain most of the metals, 

 and that in the subsequent re-solution and deposition of these pre- 

 cipitates is to be found an explanation of the origin of metalliferous 

 deposits, and of their distribution in various formations; either as 

 integral parts of the strata, or as deposits in veins, the former 

 channels of mineral springs. In an essay on American Geology, 

 published in Silliman's Journal in 1861 [2], xxxi, 405, I have 

 already sketched the outlines of what I conceive to be the true 

 theory of metalliferous deposits, a subject to which it is proposed 

 soon to return. — Silliman's Journal. 



Montreal, July 4, 1865. 



NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



MONTHLY MEETINGS. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Society was held on 

 Monday evening, March 27th, the President, Principal Dawson, 

 in the chair. 



THE MUSEUM. 



A donation of a collection of Canadian and Prince Edward 

 Island insects from Mr. Horace L. Smith, was announced. 



NEW MEMBERS. 



Major Healy, Lieut. Boyle, and Messrs. Wm. Gunn and H. 

 Rose, were elected ordinary members ; and Com. Fortin a corre- 

 sponding member. 



PROCEEDINGS. 



Prof. Eaton's paper on the genus Woodsia was read by the 

 Secretary. 



The President read a paper entitled " Notes on the Post- 

 Pliocene Deposits at Riviere du Loup and Tadousac. " 



The Corresponding Secretary read an abstract of a paper enti- 

 tled " Notes on the Trees and Shrubs of Canada," presented to 

 the Society by the Hon. William Sheppard of Fairymeade, C. E. 



The ordinary monthly meeting of the Society was held on Mon- 

 day evening, April 24th, the President in the chair. Yarious 

 donations to the library and museum were announced. 



