168 Association of American Geologists. 
mind impressed when not preoccupied, and when a strong impression — 
is made, be it ever so false, it is no easy matter to free ourselves from it. 
From this circumstance we can readily foresee the advantage which fu- 
ture generations will possess over those of the present and especially 
those of former times. As the progress of knowledge is certain, each 
day will lessen error and enlarge the domains of truth, and should man be 
true to his permanent interests, error finally will cease to have existence. 
Signed, ~Henry D. Rocers, Larpner Vanuxem, Ricnarp C. 
Taytor, Esenezer Emmons, T. A. Conrap. 
Mr. Vanuxem read a paper “On the Ancient Oyster Shell De- 
posits observed near the Altantic coast of the United States.” 
Among the unsettled subjects of geology in our country, is the origin of 
the deposits of oyster shells, (Ostrea Virginica,) observed in many parts of 
the Atlantic seaboard, of which a few only of those near South Amboy have 
come under our notice. But the greater number of those of the largest 
dimensions are in the waters of the Chesapeake. Some of these southern 
deposits of shells are enormous, covering, it is said, acres of ground, 
adding no small weight to the truth of that belief that considers them 
“in situ, as ancient oyster beds, raised from their original position by the 
uplifting of our coast, of which the fact of their generally holding, if not 
_ a real, an apparent similarity of level would seem to be ample confirma- 
tion. This theory of their being in place, is highly satisfactory, being in 
accordance with the less modern deposits beneath them, adding one more 
to the number of elevating movements to which our coast has been sub- 
jected, thus mutually pitming each other, maki ot e certainty of these 
movements sure. “Sarin . 
When the nature of | their origin was advanced by Mr. Conrad, I con- 
fessed a decided bias; for I k 1ew not the facts upon which Dr. Ducatel, 
ot ¢ geologist of Maryland, maintained the opposite one. None were 
_ “Known to me adverse to the views of Mr. Conrad, for the history of our 
country afforded no light that could be recollected, either as to the origin 
.' oof these oyster shell deposits, or to any extraordinary manifestation of 
__ gastromic power in the aborigines, in Tespect of this article of diet, which 
Would lead me to infer their existence, and which the magnitude of some 
_ Of the deposits required. 
’_ The eastern shore of Maryland presents many deposits of these oystet 
shells, hitherto until recently, unused and little examined, so far as know- 
ledge has been received this way. Now, as many of the planters in that 
section of the country are waking from the deep slumber of the past, and 
turning their attention to the all-important subject of improving their 
lands by the use of lime, a few of th se deposits have become the sub- 
ject of investigation, furnishing facts, which, were the same discovered 
elsewhere, would settle the question of their origin, and in favor of the 
~ Maryland geologist. ot 
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