139 



On the bank of the Farmhigton Tlivcr, was a bold, nearly per- 

 pendicular bluft'of the Connecticut valley clay, stratified in hori- 

 zontal layers of from half an inch to an inch, and perhaps two 

 inches in thickness. The divisional planes between the strata 

 were indurated, perhaps ^\ of an inch thick, and somewhat 

 harder than the mass of the clay. Exposed to the elements the 

 softer clay had been washed out between the hardened divisional 

 planes, to the depth of one or two inches. Extending from one 

 hardened plane to another, were cylindrical concretions of from 

 ^ to f of an inch in diameter, at various distances apart. Tlie 

 bluff, seen in front, presented the appearance of small shelves sup- 

 ported by innumerable small columns, many of which had a small 

 hole through the centre. They looked as if they might have 

 collected about the rootlets of plants, but it is questionable whether 

 roots would penetrate clay to the depth of ten or fifteen feet, or 

 tlieir direction would always be vertical. 



The columns undoubtedly were not lime and clay like the clay- 

 stones, but merely indurated clay, as none of them could be found 

 at the base of the bluff, the follen ones having decomposed. 



Dr. Jackson referred to the Fossil from Lake Superior, 

 which accompanied the collection of minerals presented 

 by Dr. Kneeland at the last meeting, and which it was 

 suggested by Mr. Stodder, might assist in determining 

 the age of the copper-bearing rocks of that region. Dr. 

 Jackson stated that the fossil was a Cyathophyllum, and 

 undoubtedly came in the drift from the upper Silurian 

 Rocks of the northern shore of the lake. 



Dr. Jackson exhibited specimens of Aluminium, consist- 

 ing of a table-fork made of the metal, some wire, foil, and 

 an ingot. Aluminium is now obtained in France at the 

 cost of nine dollars a pound, and Dr. J. has been informed 

 by a manufacturing chemist that it will soon .be pro- 

 duced at the cost of only four dollars a pound in this 

 country. 



The Corresponding Secretary read the following let- 

 ters, viz : from the Regents of the University of New 



