67 
they are destitute of nickel or chrome, and likewise of the 
various hydrated magnesian minerals which are so exceed- 
ingly characteristic of the other series) The difference is 
most remarkable, and may be traced for hundreds of miles 
along the two ranges. In his view, it was indicative of im- 
portant differences in the mode of formation; the Eozoic 
serpentines having been probably chemically deposited, as 
we know them to have been when they fill the chambers of 
rhizopods or other organic structures, (as glauconite at later 
periods, and even now); while the eastern serpentines, which 
Dr. T. Sterry Hunt regards as Huronian, have probably re- 
sulted from alteration. He was himself engaged upon this 
subject, and hoped to present it more fully hereafter. 
The President said, in response to an inquiry, that he was 
not aware that the mineralogy of the Coast Range serpentine 
had received any attention. 
Dr. H. C. Boiron gave some accounts of his observations 
in Europe during the summer, in regard to the progress and 
present state of chemical science, as shown in the arrange- 
ments of the best and newest Jaboratories of Germany, and 
the libraries of Berlin, Vienna, Paris, and London. 
Dr. B. N. Martin described a remarkable and unknown 
fossil, apparently fucoidal, but very difficult of reference, 
discovered by Dr. R. P. Stevens at the very base of the 
Potsdam sandstone, at Palmer’s Falls on the upper Hudson. 
He had himself visited the spot during the summer, but the 
river had risen, and access to the locality was cut off. He 
trusted that-Dr. Stevens would describe it more fully to the 
Lyceum. 
October 20th, 1878. 
President Newberry in the chair. Nine persons present. 
Dr. FEuUTCHWANGER exhibited a large series of specimens 
of the zinc ores and franklinite from Sterling, New Jersey, 
representing many peculiar varieties and modes of occurrence. 
