1869.] MEETING OP THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. 329 



when man was in the infixncy of his race, — not very long before 

 the historic period. Geology had suffered too much from loose 

 conclusions, and the present state of science demanded the most 

 rigid investigation of facts. In conclusion, it was pretty evident 

 that if the present epoch had claims to a very high antiquity, the 

 evidence had not yet been seen in New England, especially 

 in the State of Maine, and that the present results might more 

 logically be traced back to a period from five thousand to ten 

 thousand years ago than fifty thousand. 



A somewhat animated discussion ensued, in which Prof. Agassiz 

 and other gentlemen took part. 



EVIDENCES OF HIGH ANTIQUITY IN THE KJCEKKENMCED- 

 DEN DEPOSITS OF NEW ENGLAND. 



Prof. E. S. Morse made some remarks on this subject. He 

 said that all along our shore we have a deposit of clam shells, 

 sometimes forming large piles, which were probably thrown out 

 by ancient inhabitants who fed on their meat. The traces of 

 stone fire-places are found near these deposits in Denmark, as 

 well as in this region ; also, arrow-heads and other implements ; 

 though stone implements are remarkably scarce in our shell heaps. 

 Bone instruments, however, are remarkably plentiful, with sharp 

 cutting edges, made from the antlers of deer. The age of these 

 heaps is a matter for consideration, and possibly those of New 

 England belong to an earlier period than those of North Caro- 

 lina, where stone implements are found similar to those of Den- 

 mark. They are of varied thickness, from two to three feet, and 

 the shore end is abruptly cut off by the wash of the sea. There 

 are evidences of a great change in vegetation since the deposits 

 were made. Quahogs and oysters, which are comparatively rare 

 on the New England coast now, evidently existed at that period 

 in great abundance. The bones of the elk and the great auk 

 (now extinct) are frequently found under the heaps, and are sug- 

 gestive of their high antiquity. The want of the stone imple- 

 ments Mr. Morse considered as additional evidence of his view of 

 their age. 



ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE REGION. 

 By Prof. C. C. Parry. 



The lecturer began by stating that the Rocky Mountain Alpine 

 Region was of special interest on account of its extensiveness as 

 Vol. IV. W No. 3. 



