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ner.. Lignite beds are found in various deposits up to a very 
recent date, as in the New Red Sandstone, Upper Cretaceous 
and Tertiary. The Lignites of Germany and of the conti- 
nent of Europe generally, are chiefly Tertiary, and from the 
remains found in them, as leaves, fruit, stems of palms, &c. give 
evidence of a much warmer climate having existed during 
that period and in those localities, than occurs at the present 
time. The same holds good with respect to the Lignites of 
this continent, which are of very considerable extent, more 
especially in some of the Western states. 
The fish found in the Paper-coal are mostly Cycloid, whilst 
those of the copper-slates mentioned, which belong to the 
Permian, are Ganoid. 
Mr. J. Hyatt exhibited several specimens of the Nutmeg 
(Myristica moschata), from the West Indies, into which islands 
it has been introduced from India or the Cape of Good Hope, 
at both of which places it is native. The specimen showed 
the fruit as it grows, with the fleshy pericarp upon it, and 
which constitutes the Mace of commerce, the Nutmegs 
proper being the seed within. 
The following paper was read, 
Microscopical Examination of Two Minerals. 
By Pror. A. M. Epwarps. 
There was exhibited, at the last meeting of this Society, 
two specimens of minerals which, on account of their peculiar 
characters, seeming to indicate that an examination by means 
of the microscope, would reveal facts of interest connected 
with their source and origin, were referred to me for inyestiga- 
tion in that manner. JI have viewed them by means of the 
microscope, and now, report upon them as follows: 
The first is a specimen of marble reported to come from a 
spot on the Adirondack and Lake George Railroad, near 
Thurman Station, Warren County, and about twenty-five 
miles from Saratoga in this state, New York, and was polished 
