162 Association of American Geologists. 
tremolite, from the town of Warren, N. H.; the mass yields 
from 6 to 12 per cent. of metallic copper. Recent bituminous 
coal from the vicinity of Newfield, Maine, taken from a peat bed. 
New red sandstone from Tobig river, in New Brunswick, con- 
taining about one half its weight of gypsum. Syphonia, a fos- 
sil-like substance with tubule running through them and assum- 
ing various forms. They were supposed to be concretions formed 
around twigs and roots of trees or other organic matter. 
Dr. L. C. Beck read a paper “On the Sulphur Springs of the 
State of New York.” . 
In this paper the author noticed, Ist. The geographical range of these 
springs, their geological positions and associations. Under this head it 
was stated that they are found in almost every formation, from the slates 
of the Hudson river to the shales of Erie and Chatauque county, having 
a range over nearly the whole state, and being found in almost every 
county. 2d. The amount of gaseous matter evolved by these springs. 
This cannot be correctly ascertained, but from many facts stated by the 
author, there can be no doubt of its vast quantity. Some instances were 
mentioned in which large streams and ponds were impregnated with sul- 
phuretted hydrogen. It was also remarked, that independently of the 
amount of gas which is held in solution by the waters of these springs, 
there is often a flow of gas which seems to be undissolved or uncombined. 
3d. Some facts were stated in regard to the uniformity in the composition 
of these springs. In all cases in which they have been examined, they 
contain, in addition to the sulphuretted hydrogen, a small proportion of 
carbonic acid. The solid matters are almost invariably sulphates of Jime 
and magnesia, with smaller proportions of carbonate of lime, and occa 
sionally sulphate of soda. It was especially observed that sulphate of 
iron is very rarely found among the solid ingredients of these waters. 
Common salt is often found in the sulphur springs which occur in the vr 
cinity of the Onondago brine springs. 4th. The author next adverted 
to the observations which had been made in regard to the temperature of 
the New York sulphur springs. Although these have not yet been very 
extensively conducted, those which have been made seem to warrant the 
inference that the temperature of these springs is somewhat higher (s4Y 
1° to 3°) than that of the mean temperature of the localities in which 
they are found. 
The author then proceeded to examine the theories which have bee? 
Proposed to account for the formation of sulphur springs. ‘The decom 
position of iron pyrites, often assigned as a cause, was objected to on the 
ground that it was not sufficiently general—that it did not meet thosé 
cases in which these springs are found in the older rocks—that from what 
is known concerning the decomiposition of iron pyrites, it seems to be ur 
