Direct Action of Electrical Storms. 117 



trunk was like a bundle of laths. Now we know that the 

 conifei-je contain little sap, but much resin, especially between 

 the bark and wood. The resin being a body which is a very 

 bad conductor of electricity, we suppose that the fluid did 

 not traverse these trees. This observation is a new proof 

 that the cleavage is owing to the evaporation of the sap 

 heated by an electrical current of great energy. 



The Carboniferous Fauna of America compared with that of 

 Europe. By Ed. DE Verneuil. 



When we compare the carboniferous Fauna of America 

 with that of Europe, we see with astonishment, that, notwith- 

 standing the distance which separates these countries, the 

 genera and the species px'esent the same modifications, the 

 same differences, from the preceding fauna."* 



In fact, while the persevering researches of Mr King, in 

 Pennsylvania,! go to prove to us the existence of large 

 air-breathing animals at this epoch, the discovery of a Sau- 

 rian, recently made in the carboniferous beds in Germany.^ 



* Tlie analogy between the two continents appeai-s to be more marked at 

 this epoch than at the anterior epoclis, the number of identical species being 

 relatively more considerable. If we seek the cause of this, we are led to attri- 

 bute it to more analogous physical conditions, which proves the uniformity of 

 the deposits of this epoch, and perhaps also to a peculiar disposition of the sub- 

 marine outline, that is to say, the bottom and the islands which extended from 

 I^urope towards America. M. Elie de Beaumont explains this disposition in a 

 very natural manner. He regards it as an effect of the WNW. upheaving, 

 which preceded the establishment of the carboniferous system, and which he has 

 called the system du Ballon of the Alsace. We are happy to see the beautiful 

 theory of our illustrious friend thus confirmed by independent researches. 



t See the interesting letter of Mr Lyell upon the evidence of the footprints 

 of a quadruped resembling the Cheirotherium, in the carboniferous strata of 

 Pennsylvania {American Journal of Science and Arts, 2d ser., vol. ii., p. '25). 



I This discovery, of which we have been informed by Von Buch, destroys 

 the principal objection which could be made to the extent which we have given 

 to the Pala!0/.oic formation, in our work on Russia, by comprising in it the Per- 

 mian system ; for this objection was founded on the opinion then established 

 that the Saurians appeared for the first time in this system ; and the importance 

 of the appearance of animals of this class to determine the point of departure 

 of the ncioiidury formation. 



