200 Miscellanies. 
ham line, about four miles S. S. W. from the city of Middletown. The 
strata of slate bearing the impressions, have a thickness of six or eight 
inches, and are situated near the bottom of a narrow ravine, excavated by 
a small stream which falls over the ledges, and affords a beautiful piece of 
scenery. Specimens are not so easily procured here as at Westfield, but 
they are far more perfect, both in vividness of color and distinctness of 
The most delicate parts of the fins and scales are almost in- 
variably preserved. It is very rarely that any vestige of bones is met with 
in that part of the body covered by scales; but traces of them about the 
head are not uncommon. It is no unusual thing to find impressions per- 
fect in every part, with the exception of a fin, or a portion of the tail, or a 
narrow strip along one side of the body, eibeh are sometimes seen lying 
at the ae of two or three inches, and sometimes are removed by 
greater intervals. Not unfrequently the fish appears to have been entirely 
decomposed previous to its becoming fixed in its stony bed, so that the 
rays and scales are scattered in all directions over a space of one or two 
square feet, no two of the scales, perhaps, being observed in connection. 
The slate, upon which the impressions are found, is very strongly impreg- 
nated with bitumen, and occasionally presents thin layers of calcareous 
spar. It occurs in every variety of texture, from the finest clay up to the 
coarsest conglomerate ; though no ichthyolites are seen except on three or 
four of the darkest colored and most delicate layers. Below the fish 
strata, as well as shar abO crlcabancinns od. is several feet in 
thickness ; after which, it passes gradually into sandstone. 
The erroneous opinion, somewhat extensively circulated, of this local- 
ity being exhausted, probably arose from the difficulty experienced i in ex- 
eavating the rock, which, owing to its peculiar position, is not so 
quarried as that of Westfield. But if visitors go adequately prepared, and 
with a proper guide, and commence operations on a scale sufficiently ex- 
tensive, little difficulty will be experienced. The most proper course to be 
pursued is, to pry out the rocks which have been loosened by the ice of the 
preceding winter. Blasting will be of no use, as the slates are thereby 
shattered in pieces, and they do not separate in layers till after the frost 
has acted upon them. The proprietor of this locality is one of those en 
lightened and enterprising farmers, whose leisure moments have been de- 
voted to reading, study, and meditation upon scientific subjects. He takes 
great pleasure in assisting strangers who may visit the place, and is ready 
at all times to communicate any desired information. 
I have obtained as many as five species from Middlefield. Whether 
fae have as yet been named, with the exception of the two varieties men- 
tioned above, is somewhat uncertain, owing to the rarity of works which 
treat of al ihthyoogy If they have not, sie for other and more 
ctors to senate. 2 H. 
pos en get ear and classify the D. L. 
