192 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT OF 



ence to a microscopic examination of soundings along the eastern coast 

 of the United States ; samples of all the materials brought up by the 

 sounding apparatus of the Coast Survey having been carefully preserved 

 by Professor Bache in bottles, and so arranged as to present, as it were, 

 the surface geology of the bottom of the sea within a certain distance 

 from the shore. Specimens of these were given to Professor Bailey for 

 microscopic examination, and the results are presented in this paper. 

 It exhibits the fact of a high development of minute organic forms, 

 mainly of Polythidamia, in all deep soundings, varying from fifty-one 

 to ninety fathoms, occurring in an abundance similar to that in which 

 analogous fossil forms are found in the marls under the city of Charles- 

 ton. It also shows that each locality has its predominant species, by 

 means of which alone the region whence they were taken may be indi- 

 cated. Many of the conclusions derived are of much interest to the 

 mariner, the geologist, and the naturalist. The paper closes with a 

 brief description of the genera and species referred to, embracing sev- 

 eral that are new, the w^hole accompanied by numerous figures. 



In connexion with the foregoing mny be mentioned a paper by Mr. 

 Charles Girard, entitled "A Monograph of the Fresh water Cottoids of 

 North America," which has been accepted, and will soon be published. 

 The species of fish called Cotlus gobio, was supposed to be common to 

 Europe and America, and thus totbrm an exception to a general rule in 

 regard to the fresh water species of the two continents. It has been dis- 

 covered by Mr. Girard and others, tliat the European species, as described 

 by Linnaeus, is really composed of several, and that while none of these 

 are found in North America, we have actually a number of species pecu- 

 liar to this countr^^ The memoir contains elaborate descriptions of the 

 known species as well as of several new ones, together with copious notes 

 on their scientific history, their geographical distribution, affinities with 

 each otlier and with Ibreign species, anatomical structure, &c., — the 

 whole illustrated by appropriate figures. It is worthy of remark, that 

 most of the hitherto undescribed species presented in this memoir were 

 collected by Professor Baird, and now form a part of the Smithsonian 

 collection. 



Another memoir, now in course of preparation, is one which will of 

 itself occupy a considerable portion of one of the quarto volumes of the 

 Smithsonian Contributions. It affords an interesting illustration of the 

 working of the plan of organization in the way of eliciting important 

 scientific knowledge which would not otherwise be produced, or, if pro- 

 duced, could not be given to the world through any other channel. 



This memoir consists of a description of the marine plants, or Algae, 

 which are found along the eastern and southern coasts of the United 

 States, and which are deserving of attention, not only on account of 

 their beauty, variety, and the illustrations they present of the growth 

 and devd'lopmcnt of vegetable forms, but also on account of their 

 economical value with reference to agriculture and the chemical arts. 

 This volume is in the course of preparation by Professor Harvey, of the 

 University of Dublin, Ireland, a gentleman who is recognised as the 

 first authority in this branch of botany. He was induced to visit this 

 country by an invitation to lecture on the Algxe before the Lowell In- 

 stitute, and by the opportunity thus offered him of studying his favorite 



