Palaontology: Ornithichnites. 557 
it has been applied to the shells of Mollusca, and even to the lowest 
links in animal life, as well as to fossil plants, the geologist has thus ac- 
quired a new and powerful auxiliary. I am here, however, treading 
on ground now fortunately occupied by the Microscopical Society, 
the active promoters of which are well entitled to our gratitude. 
Ornithichnites—To American geologists we are indebted for our 
acquaintance with this new class of phenomena. The existence of 
the fossil bones of birds of ordinary size had, it is true, been ascer- 
tained by Dr. Mantell in the Wealden strata, but great was our 
astonishment, and I may add our incredulity, when Professor Hitch- 
cock first announced, that in rocks of considerable antiquity (the 
exact age of which is still uncertain), there existed innumerable im- 
pressions in successive layers, which must have been formed by 
birds, some of them of gigantic size, and to which he boldly assigned 
the name of “Ornithichnites.” Various opinions were entertained, 
and much scepticism prevailed concerning these impressions; but 
it is due to Dr. Buckland to state, that he never doubted that the 
views of Professor Hitchcock were founded on true natural analo- 
gies, and he accordingly published this opinion, with illustrative 
plates, in his Bridgewater Treatise. The recent visit of Mr. Lyell 
to North America, and a memoir he has read, as well as a com- 
munication from Dr. James Deane of Massachusets, have neces- 
sarily brought this highly interesting subject again before us ; whilst 
a very remarkable discovery in natural history has at all events almost. 
entirely dispelled scepticism regarding the true bird-like character of 
even the largest of the footsteps, however difficult it may be to ima- 
gine the presence of such highly organized creatures at a very early 
period. The observations of Mr. Lyell completely support the views 
of Professor Hitchcock as to the littoral nature of the footstep de- 
posit in Connecticut, and that the prints in question were left by 
birds on the mud and sand of former estuaries, the bottoms of which 
were gradually submerged, and by the increase of fresh matter were 
permanently preserved. 
Mr. Lyell illustrates the ancient phenomena by reference to im- 
pressions which he saw forming at low water on the mud of the sea 
shore of Georgia by racoons and opossums, and covered by blue 
sand before the flow of the tide, as well as by the recent footsteps 
of birds in the red mud of the Bay of Fundy, which if submerged 
would realize a complete analogy to the fossil footsteps through 
many successive lamine of deposit*. He also believes with Pro- 
fessor Hitchcock, that the strata in question had been elevated and 
tilted since their original deposition, and he connected these move- 
ments with the evolution of trappean rocks, which in some places 
invade the Oxnithichnite beds. In regard to the age of these beds no 
decisive opinion has yet been expressed, though they are referred 
* A striking explanation of appearances, respecting which we were at 
first equally incredulous when pointed out on the surface of the Red Sand- 
stone of England as fossil rain-drops, is given by Mr. Lyell in the actual 
formation of similar markings produced by rain on the mud of the shores 
of Long Island. 
