280 



The coke obtained was burnt on a platinum tray, placed in a 

 red hot muffle, and left 0.47 per cent, of ashes, of a deep red 

 brown color, consisting of peroxide of iron with a little oxide of 

 manganese, and silica, and alumina. 



The discovery of this valuable fuel so near to our borders is a 

 matter of congratulation. The bed is stated to be four to six 

 feet in thickness, and, if it holds out for any considerable extent, 

 it must supply an enormous amount of fuel. This substance is 

 particularly valuable for the production of gas for illumination. 

 It is also the best fuel for steam engines, and is particularly well 

 adapted for the use of locomotive steam engines on railroads. 



I have not visited the spot where this Asphaltum is found, but, 

 having seen it associated with gypsum from Dorchester, N. B., 

 am led to believe that it occurs above the coal formation of New 

 Brunswick. 



Mr. Teschemacher exhibited some grains of platina from the 

 washings on the Feather River, California, with the gold from 

 which he had picked them out, several grains still rem.aining 

 mixed therewith. He compared them with specimens, which 

 he likewise exhibited from South America, and from Nischne 

 Tagilsk, on the Ural Mountains ; the grains from California ap- 

 peared more to resemble those from South America — the Rus- 

 sian platina being less rounded and flattened by attrition. He 

 thought the discovery was of some importance to the chemist 

 and the manufacturer of acids, as it would afford another source 

 of supply of this, to them, indispensable metal. 



He also exhibited specimens of gold from various localities in 

 California, from the finest grain to the large lumps. He observed 

 that the large octohedrons of gold exhibited by Mr. Alger 

 measured five sixteenths of an inch at the base of the pyramid. 

 He had never seen crystals from other localities exceeding one 

 sixteenth of an inch, and thought that this circumstance was an 

 indication that the gold deposits in California were far larger 

 than any hitherto explored. 



Mr. T. also exhibited the Osmium iridium from the Ural 

 Mountains. 



Prof. Wyman exhibited sonae interesting fossils from the 

 Mississippi Alluvium at Memphis, namely, a tooth of Mega- 



