192 



been uplifted had come from the direction of the Vosges, 

 not the Alps. The whole chain rests on an inclined plane, 

 rising towards the Alps, apparently showing the contrary to 

 have been the case ; but this circumstance is owing to the 

 greater denudation towards the Vosges. 



Mr. Stodder announced the discovery of Iridium associ- 

 ated with California gold. It occurs in the form of distinct 

 grains, and is precipitated from that metal when fused, 

 by its greater specific gravity. It is used for the tips of 

 gold pens, and is worth, in the market, from thirty to fifty 

 dollars an ounce. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson presented the third plate of illustra- 

 tions to his descriptions of Fossil Fishes, from New Bruns- 

 wick, together with a copy of his Report on the Coal form- 

 ation from which they were taken. 



March 3, 1852. 

 The President in the Chair. 



"Mr. Wells read a paper giving the results of his analysis 

 of the soils of the Scioto Valley, in the State of Ohio. He 

 was of opinion that these soils are of drift origin. (For the 

 Paper in full, see Journal of Boston Society of Natural His- 

 tory, Vol. VI. No. 3.) 



Prof. Rogers remarked, that drift materials from the north 

 might exist in the alluvium of the western rivers to some 

 extent, but he questioned, whether they could be properly 

 referred to the Secondary rocks. As to the absence of 

 Carbonate of Lime in the soils analyzed by ]Mr. Wells, 

 adduced by him as a proof that they were not the result of 

 the decomposition of a Limestone formation, he would 

 state, that the soil for many miles in the Scioto Valley, lies 



