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Association of American Geologists. 163 
adequate to account for the enormous quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen 
which is evolved, and lastly, that the almost entire absence of sulphate of 
iron in the New York sulphar springs, is irreconcilable with this theory. 
The author then noticed the two general theories which have been pro- 
posed in regard to the origin of these springs, and gave the preference to 
the chemical theory, or that which attributes them, as the products of the 
great volcanic focus, to a chemical agency, as most consistent with the 
facts hitherto observed in the State of New York. He proposed, however, 
to extend the chemical theory so as to include the action of water upon 
the sulphurets of the bases of the alkalies and alkaline earths assumed to 
exist in the interior of the earth. _ 
The Association then adjourned until 10 o’clock, Wednesday 
morning. ; 
Wednesday, April 7th, 1841, 10 o’clock, A. M.—The Associa- 
tion met pursuant to adjournment. Prof. Silliman in the chair. 
The subject of sulphur springs was discussed by Messrs. H. 
D. Rogers, Locke, M. H. Boyé, Johnson and Mather. Mr. Va- 
nuxem.announced his intention of presenting his views in regard 
to the New York sulphur springs at the next meeting of the 
association. 
Prof. Hubbard presented a specimen of the slate found at 
Waterville, Maine, containing impressions, which in the Geologi- - 
cal Report of Maine, were described as resembling ferns and fuci, 
which they resembled more than any thing else that had been 
found at that time, and of course an error in regard to their nature 
Was unavoidable. Having received Murchison’s Silurian system 
about two years since, Prof. H. found that the impressions were 
true Annelides and belong to the two genera Myrianites and Ne- 
reites figured in that work ; thus carrying the occurrence of or- 
ganic life in the New England rocks, one step lower than — 
heretofore been observed, and showing 4 coincidence between the 
Waterville slate and the slate containing the Annelides nepeape? 
by Murchison and included by him among the Cambrian rocks. 
Dr. Jackson observed that he had received information from 
other gentlemen, that impressions of ferns occurred in the Water- 
Ville slate and had stated this in his first annual report of the ge- 
ology of Maine. He had, however, subsequently visited the local- 
ity and satisfactorily ascertained that the slates of Waterville do 
hot belong to the coal formation, and this fact was stated by him 
in his second report. Dr. J. remarked, that in justice to the gen- 
emen referred to, it should be observed that Prof. Sedgwick and 
