9() MICROSCOPICAL OBJECTS FOUND 



1. When the contents of the stomachs of many 

 mollusks are examined, they contain a mixture of 

 calcareous and siliceous organisms. When this 

 is acted upon by Hydrochloric acid (especially 

 in the case of Pecten Maximus, as shewn by Dr. 

 Mantell and Mr. Hamlin Lee) the result is an 

 accumulation so identical with that from Bermuda 

 as to be most readily mistaken for it. The same 

 thing is still more forcibly manifested when Ichaboe 

 guano is treated with boiling Nitric acid, until all 

 the calcareous and phosphatic portions are des- 

 troyed, — the discs, spicule, and other organisms, 

 then exhibiting the most striking identity with the 

 American strata. 



2. Such deposits, in their present condition, 

 stand out as anomalies in the existing order 

 of oceanic phenomena, and have nothing 

 resembling them except the local fresh-water 

 accumulations which occur in various places. 

 Between these, however, no real analogy exists. 

 It must not be forgotten that the Virginian 

 deposits can be traced for above two hundred 

 miles ; and, being marine, would most probably 

 be mixed up with such marine products as 

 were likely to occur along so extended a line. 

 The only recorded instance with which I am 



