16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF 



that the almost entire absence of sulphate of iron in the New- York 

 sulphur springs, is iireconcilablc with tliis theory. 



The author then noticed the two general theories which have 

 been proi)osed 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 earih. 



The Association then adjourned until 10 o'clock, Wednesday 

 morning. 



Wednesday, April Ith^ 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. Bove, Johnson and Mather. Mr. 

 Vanuxem 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, whicii in the Geolo- 

 gical 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 tAVO years since, Prof. H. found that the impres- 

 sions were true Annelides, and belong to the two genera Myi'i- 

 anites and Nereitcs, figured in that work ; thus canying the 

 occurrence of or"ganic life in the New England rocks one step 

 lower than had heretofore been observed, and showing a coin- 

 cidence between the Waterville slate, and the slate containing 

 the Annelides described by JNIurchison, 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 Wa- 

 terville slate, and had stated this in his first annual report of the 

 geology of Maine. He had, liowever, subsequently visited the 

 locality and satisfactorily ascertained that the slates of Waterville 

 do not belong to the coal formation, and this fact was stated by 

 him in his second report. Dr. J. remarked, that in justice to the 

 gentlemen referred to, it should be observed that Prof. Sedgwick 

 and Mr. Murchison's Report was not then published, and conse- 

 quently these fossils could not be identified with the Annelides 



