90 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [March, 



Secretary read a translation of the " Introduction to MoUer's 

 Diatom Plates," recentl}' made by President Breckenfeld, and 

 later a paper prepared by A. Edwards. M. D., of Newark, N. J., 

 a corresponding member of the society, entitled "Marine Fossil 

 Diatomacece from California and Their Geology." 



The paper stated that the first fossil diatomaceous material dis- 

 covered in California was collected in 1S53 by Washington Chil- 

 ton from outcroppings on the shore of Suisun bay, about thirty 

 miles from San Francisco. This was sent to Dr. J. R. Chilton, 

 of New York, who in turn placed it in the hands of Professor 

 J. W. Bailey for examination. It abounded in numerous species 

 of Coscinodisci^ Actlnocycli^ Actinoptychi^ and other discoid 

 forms, and was in its general characteristics not unlike the de- 

 posits of Maryland and Virginia. 



In 1S77 Dr. Edwards took up his residence in Berkeley, and 

 as an assistant to the State Geological Survey of Califoinia he 

 had ample opportunity for collecting and studying the various 

 deposits of diatomaceous or infusorial earths found in this State, 

 many of which have a world-wide reputation and are of great 

 scientific interest. The paper gave a detailed description of all 

 the more notable deposits, and is supplemented b\' a complete 

 list of all the species identified in fossil marine genera. This is 

 further enriched by references to authors who have written on or 

 figiu^ed these interesting plant skeletons. Dr. Edwards places 

 these various deposits in the oligocene, half way between the 

 miocene and eocene. 



After the reading of the papers the society took up the subject 

 of balsam mounting of microscopic preparations, and a general 

 discussion of the various methods adopted by each followed. 

 This proved both interesting and profitable. 



NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



Lehrbuch der Histologle. By Prof Philipp Stohr. 5th ed. 



Svo. Jena. 

 This revised edition contains many illustrations and the latest 

 results. It ought perhaps to be translated into English. The 

 descriptions are full and clearly written. Especial attention is 

 given to making preparations. 



Aledical Microscopy. By Frank J. Wethered. T3mo. Phila- 

 delphia. P. Blakiston, Son & Co., 1S93. pp. 406, 

 cuts lOI . 

 A book so clear and consise as this, so compact and so essen- 

 tial to the practitioner, ought to sell by the hundred thousand. 

 How a physician of to-day can practice medicine intelligently 

 without sucIt knowledge as this book contains is incredible. 



