Russell on some Polylhalamia. 121 



SHIP ROCK stands upon the summit of a precipitous cliff, 

 about half a mile distant from Tapley's Brook, and directly 

 I'.orth of the dwelling house of Mr. David Newhall, on the 

 road to Lynnfield. It is of granite, and measures forty-five 

 feet in length, twenty-two in height and twenty-five in 

 width. Its shape is tolerably regular, resembling in some 

 respec(s an inverted vessel, whence its name, but not ad- 

 mitting of a very exact measurement. Supposing its mean 

 circumference to be one hundred feet, its diameter would 

 be about thirty feet, and if it were spherical, its weight 

 would be about eleven hundred tons. The area surrounding 

 the Rock is also covered with loose masses of stone, many 

 of which are estimated to weigh from fifty to seventy-five 

 tons. 



MINUTE POLYTIIALAMOUS SHELLS OCCURRING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, NEW 

 ENGLAND. By Jous LEWIS RUSSELL, Member of the Society, &c. Read June 29, 1842. 



The advantages which the microscope affords the natur- 

 alist, seem likely to be appreciated in these times of general 

 inquiry. Worlds of beauty rare gems of exquisite per- 

 fection, and objects of consummate skill, with unsurpassing 

 instances of design, are daily unfolding themselves to the 

 curious eye. The representatives of animated creation in 

 the lower forms of animal and vegetable life, so minute as 

 to escape the common observation are revealed by this 

 instrument in modes well calculated to excite surprise, 

 admiration and instruction. 



The sands on the calcareous coasts of England, present a 

 variety of the most beautiful forms of minute creatures 

 belonging to the order of FORAMINIFERA, established by 

 D'Orbigny. They serve a similar purpose as the silicious 

 coverings of the infusoria, in making up by their vast con- 

 geries, entire strata and large proportions of soil in different 

 parts of the world. " The sea downs of some and probably 

 of most coasts are still in course of formation by living 

 Bryozoa, which though very small, resembling grains of 



