18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF 



In addition to the above, Mr. R. also cxliibitcd specimens of a 

 new species of Catojderus from the rocks whicli overlie the coal 

 mines in Chesterfield county, Virginia. 



Some remarks upon the elevation of ti-ap dykes were made by 

 the chairman, and Profs. H. D. Rogers, Mather, and Hitch- 

 cock. The Association then adjourned until 4 o'clock. 



April 7th, 4 o'clock, p. m. — The Association met. Prof. Sil- 

 LiMAN in the chair. 



Mr. Vaxuxem, from a committee appointed at the last meeting 

 of the Association, presented a report in regard to the " Ornithich- 

 nites or foot-marks of extinct birds in the new red sandstone of 

 Massachusetts and Connecticut,'' observed and described by 

 Prof. Hitchcock. This report confirms the opinion respecting 

 these appearances now entertained by Prof. Hitchcock. 



E.EPORT ON THE OrNITHICHNITES OR FoOT MaRKS OF ExTINCT 



Birds, in the new red Sandstone of Massachusetts and 



Connecticut, observed and described by Prof. Hitchcock, 



of Amherst. 



The nnclersigned, forming the committee to whom the subject of 

 the origin of the bird-tvacks of Prof Hitchcock was assigned, beg 

 leave to present the following brief report. 



It may be well previously to state, that the object of the meeting 

 ill appointing this committee, was founded solely upon the desire to 

 produce, if possible, unanimity of opinion, there being a few of the 

 members who dissented from the views published by Prof Hitch- 

 cock. In our country, the subject, as it undoubtedly ought, had at- 

 tracted considerable attention. These views had been very favorably 

 received and republished in Europe, and from its great importance 

 to Pakcozoic geology, an attempt should be made to settle the ques- 

 tion ; for were the views of our highly respected member correct, 

 we were made acquainted with the earliest period in which biped 

 animals existed whose foot-marks were analogous to, if not identi- 

 cal with, those of the tread of birds. On the contrary, if wrong, we 

 were presented with another class of facts, which show that certain 

 appearances supposed to belong solely to animal hfe, were present- 

 ed by the vegetable kingdom likeuase. 



We shall now state, in a few words, what we suppose are the 

 general facts upon which Prof Hitchcock's views were founded, 

 and then the facts of those who assumed the opposite opinion. 



The lirst and most obvious impression upon the mind, on looking 

 at the indentations or marks, is their thin, tripartite form, resembling 

 the tread or foot-mark of those kinds of birds which show three toes, 

 the fourth one being rudimental, and are referable to no other known 

 kind of animal. The tracks or foot-marks in several localities are 

 arranged in a determinate order, like those of a bird or fowl moving 



