1867.] 341 (Perry. 



December 18, 1867. 

 The President in the chair. Forty-five members present. 

 The following paper was read : — 



Queries o>i the Red Sandstone of Vermont and its Rela- 

 tions. By the Rev. John B. Perry, of the Museum of 

 Comparative Zoology, at Harvard College, Cambridge. 



The remarks made upon the Red Sandstone of Vermont, at various 

 scientific meetings, and the theories expressed, or implied in regard to 

 it, in journals of science, in text-books, and the like, are very dissimi- 

 lar. Often, indeed, they are so utterly different in their character 

 and bearing, as to be entirely irreconeiUible with each other. 



We are, therefore, naturally led to inquire whether tliese repre- 

 sentations be correct ? That they are not all exact transcripts of 

 things as they exist in nature, is evident from their diversity. What, 

 then, is the right view of these strata, on which geologists have been, 

 for a long time, so much divided ? 



Pi'esuming that the rocky beils themselves, i-especting which there 

 have been such differences of opinion, may have a story to tell, their 

 own peculiar version to give, of their actual position and relations, 

 we shall certainly do well to put them on the stand, if we ha^ e not 

 already done so, and apply to them the most crucial tests, before we 

 attempt to come to a definite conclusion, or to express any final judg- 

 ment, on the points involved. 



Let us, then, take a brief survey of this formation, raise a few 

 queries in regard to it, as it is in itself and in its various relations, and 

 try to answer them by an apjieal to facts. 



I. In the first place, what is the Red Sandstone of Vermont? 



The late Dr. Emmons, long ago, described it as Potsdam Sand- 

 stone; and he ever after maintained, in regard to it, substantially the 

 same opinion. In most geological reports, however, and in various 

 other publications, in which it is mentioned, the rock under considera- 

 tion is spoken of as belonging to the Medina formation of the New 

 York geologists. Indeed, it has been quite generally so regarded, 

 or rather it was almost universally thus viewed, up to a very recent 



day. ... 



Without dwelling upon the various opinions that have prevailed on 

 the subject, it may be said that the formation before us for study is a 

 belt, or narrow band, of sandstone; that in color it is red, or reddish, 

 though often gray, and sometimes creamy; that it has, especially in 

 its upper parts, many calcareous beds; that, in a few instances, it is 



