bulletin. 



THOMAS S. KING, EDITOR. 



MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 29, 1858. 



The Fossil Formations of California. 



EDITOR OP THE SAN FRANCISCO EVENING BUL- 

 LETIN : Probably no country in the world abounds 

 with such an infinite variety of the extinct animals of 

 creation as the State of California; certainly in no dis- 

 trict of country on the glebe are they to be met with in 

 such extraordinary abundance as on our hill-tops, moun- 

 tain-sides and valleys. Nor is it confined to one king- 

 dom of nature, but includes molluscous shells, fish, land 

 animals, such as mastodons, wolves, whales, deer, and 

 some say even man. Fossil vegetation is often found 

 by the miners in their claims as well as animal remains. 

 In the section of country lying between the Tulare 

 plains, west to the ocean, and including a radius of 

 severity miles in diameter from the Mission of Soledad, 

 in Monterey county, to the town of San Luis Obispo, 

 whole mountains are found of immense oysters and of 

 a multitudinous variety of the extinct mollusca, in the 

 most extraordinary state of preservation, as perfect as 

 if washed ashore yesterday, excepting in the matter of 

 color, flesh and weight. 



In the fifth volume of Railroad Surveys, may be 

 found the report on the topography of that section of 

 California inland via the Tulare plain from Benicia 

 to Fort Yuma, written by the commanding officer, Lt. 

 R. S. Williamson a work in itself of great merit, full of 

 views and illustrations, and in a high degree creditable 

 to that officer and his assistants. The scientific report 

 on the geology, fossiliferai, mineralogy, etc., of Wil- 

 liamson's Survey is written by Professor William P. 

 Blake, who accompanied the expedition as geologist. 

 In this work may be found splendid illustrations of the 

 fossils and plants, and many of the living mollusca, etc., 

 of California, collected by the expedition, and described 

 scientifically by Messrs. Conrad, Durand, Torrey, and 

 others. 



The report on geology, mineralogy, etc., by Blake, is 

 a lasting monument to the industry, ability and inge- 

 nuity of this eminent Californian one who is well 

 known, not only in the scientific literature of California, 

 but of the Atlantic States and Europe. The copious 

 notes and observations on the physical aspects and 

 penetralia of California, at once fix 'Mr. Blake as an 

 observer and student of sterling capacities. He has 

 also the merit of writing in a style to suit both popular 

 and scientific tastes. Mr. Blake is also the author of a 

 chapter on the geology of the coast of California, in the 

 Coast Survey Report of 1855, which is not only deep 

 and thorough, but eminently practical ; being easily 

 understood by amateurs of the science. Of all the 

 writers on the physical nature of California, I conceive 

 Mr. Blake is entitled to be classed as number one. 



In reference to the fossil mollusca of our State, I am 

 indebted to Dr. C. A. Cantield, of Monterey, for the 

 following list of shells, found by him, while traveling in 

 the Sierras of that county, and which will be found of 

 great use in fixing the locality of species not mentioned 

 in Blake's report. A. S. T., of Monterev. 



CATALOGUE OF FOSSIL MOLLUSCA FOUND IN THE 

 MOUNTAINS OF SAK BENITO CREEK, MONTEREY 

 COTTKTY. 



In the yellow limestone, of the Canada del Topo and 

 vicinity, the following bpecies occur : 



1. Bucania, species undetermined. 



2. Murchisonia Bellicinta. 



3. Macrocheilus, species undetermined. 



4. Terebratula Chactavensis. 



5. Pectin Quclricrustatis. 

 0. Janira Qudricastata. 



7. Spirifer Fasciger. 



8. Ostrea, several species, 

 li. Faviphyllum Rugosum. 



10. Faphrentis Multilamella. 



11. Faph. Stansburii. 



In the sandy limestone formations, cut through 

 he San Benito creek, occur the folloAving species : 



12. Holaster. Simplex. 



13. Lucina, several species. 



14. Cuculloe Nebrascensis. 



15. Allorisma Regularis. 



10. Spirifer Octoplicata. 



17. Gryphoea Pitcheri. 



18. Gryphoe, 2 other species undetermined. 

 lit. Productus Cora. 



20. Tarebratula, undetermined. 



21. Holopca, undetermined. 



22. Bacculitis Compressis. 



23. Ancella Crassicollis. 



24. Murex, undetermined. 



25. Melanea, undetermined. 



26. Trochus, undetermined. 



27. Pteroccrus, undetermined. 



28. Isocardia, undetermined. 

 20. Natica, undetermined. 



30. Ostrea, several species. 



31. Turritella, undetermined. 



32. Donax, undetermined. 



33. Trygonia, undetermined. 

 31. Pholadomia, undetermined. 

 3- r ). Exogyra, undetermined. 

 :>;. Rostcllaria, undetermined. 



37. Solen Vajjina. 



38. Anotina Cbnvexa. 

 3:1. Halistis Tuberculata. 

 40. Tellina Congesta. 



11. Lutraria Compressa. 



42. Pertunculus Castatus. 



43. Buccinum Vrisi- 





