. 275 



whether it was accompanied by a stationary or a rising condition 

 of the ancient shore. 



In answer to an inquiry from Dr. Gould, whetlier marine de- 

 posits are thickest toward the ocean, Prof. Rogers replied that 

 there is no definite rule in this respect, though in the aggregate 

 they are generally thinner in that direction ; and he mentioned 

 from measurements in the Appalachian region, that the total 

 thickness there is very greatly less toward the centre. 



Prof. Aojassiz instanced the Pholas borings in the miocene 

 {inoUasse) of the Jura, in the very edges of the strata, as disprov- 

 ing the statement of Darwin that there is destruction on the edges 

 of strata during upheaval ; in this case there was no such de- 

 struction during or after upheaval. 



Prof. Rogers replied that of course this is not the inevitable 

 result in every case ; and in this particular instance it is easy to 

 explain the fact. The occurrence of a stratum containing well- 

 preserved fossils, in direct contiguity with the pholas-bearing 

 rocks, is proof of quiet during the formation of the stratum, and 

 therefore of the protection of these rocks from denudation during 

 the deposit. 



Mr. Putnam presented from the Museum of Compara- 

 tive Zoology ten specimens of fishes from Lake Neufcha- 

 tel, and one from the rivers of Switzerland, all very much 

 resembling their American congeners, interesting as 

 showing the great resemblance, yet perfect specific dis- 

 tinctness, of the representative faunae of Europe and 

 North America. 



Dr. Winslow presented an extensive collection of 

 fishes, crustaceans, moUusks, and radiates made by him- 

 self at Maui, one of the Sandwich Islands ; with others 

 formerly presented by him, these would form a very 

 good representative fauna of this island, and he desired 

 them to be kept in a case by themselves for this purpose. 



Prof. Hamilton L. Smith, of Gambler, Ohio, was 

 chosen a Corresponding Member ; and Mr. Lincoln F. 



