256 



Mr. Desor inquired whether there were any shells found with 

 the vertebrae at Machias, Mr. Temple replied in the negative, 

 Mr. Desor remarked, that, from the position of the bones, they 

 were of as high antiquity as those of the Mastodon. Mr. Desor 

 also remarked on Mr. LyelPs theory respecting the evidences 

 furnished by shells in the recent formations, as to the condition 

 of climate at the time of their deposit, and stated some facts at 

 variance with that theory. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson stated that there were three strongly-marked 

 gradations in the Dikivium of Maine, marked by their character- 

 istic fossils. Pecten Islandicus was found all along the coast, 

 from Kittery Point to Lubec, in a position thirty feet lower than 

 Nucula, so abundant at Westbrook, South Berwick, and Portland. 

 A stratum still higher, by about the same interval, was found at 

 Bangor, with still different genera of shells. 



Dr. Gould remarked, that Nucula Jacksonii and Nucula Port- 

 landica were different from any living species yet found, and 

 these are the only ones, in the clay beds, which have not yet 

 been found in our present waters. 



Dr. Jackson also exhibited specimens of Copper and 

 Silver Ore from Cliff mines, Lake Superior, showing the 

 metals in a pure state in immediate contact, yet unalloyed ; 

 a result which, he stated, had not as yet been effected by 

 any artificial means, and difficult to explain by natural 

 agencies. 



He suggested Electricity as the cause, and stated that Prof. 

 Locke had been engaged in making magnetic observations in the 

 mines, some of the results of which he stated. 



Dr. Storer exhibited the Jaw of Carcharias griseus, 

 Ayres ; and Teeth of C. obscurus, the only Shark yet found 

 in our waters with serrated teeth. 



Dr. Warren exhibited Casts of the Bones of Dinornis 

 gigas, of New Holland, and compared them with the cor- 

 responding bones of the Ostrich, which they greatly exceed- 

 ed in length and bulk. 



Mr. J. W. Whitwell was elected a member of the Society. 



