Geology, Mineralogy and Palaeontology. 21 



of the division of mineral statistics of the United States Geologi- 

 cal Survey, has had unusual facilities which he has improved in 

 bringing tog'ether this vast amount of data which renders his 

 monograph of interest to the collector, the archaeologist, the 

 ethnologist, the mineralogist and the geologist, and of equal in- 

 terest and of practical value to the miner, the prospector, the 

 jeweler, the dealer — in fact to every one who is likely to be 

 deceived by imitations and misnamed specimens. It not only 

 covers with a degree of thoroughness never before equalled, the 

 whole field of American gems, but also gives a general view of 

 the condition of the gem interests of the whole world. 



The superb colored plates are by Prang & Co., and are tri- 

 umphs of artistic skill, illustrating especially fine and typical 

 American gems in a most beautiful manner. 



Nearly every known gem has been found in the United States, 

 but as yet regular mining for them is conducted in only two 

 States — Maine and South Carolina. The annual output is less 

 than :^ 200 000 worth in the rough state, but with tlie exact knowl- 

 edge presented in this work, which should be available to every 

 one within reach of a public library or an educational institution, 

 the production should be sensibly increased. 



A true idea of the value, common mode of occurrence, methods 

 of determination, and ways of prospecting for and mining pre- 

 cious stones will prevent many mistakes, render such fraudulent 

 operations as the 'Arizona diamond swindle' less easy, and facil- 

 itate legitimate gem mining. 



California has yielded numerous diamonds, but none, as yet, 

 of great commercial value. Southern California is said by many 

 to closely resemble South Africa, whose diamond fields, within 

 a distance of a mile and a half, have yielded over nme tons of 

 diamonds. If — 



ANOTHER RATTLESNAKE CURE. 



'These Indian women first showed us that the cactus, cut open 

 and bound on a rattlesnake bite, will cure the wound.' — Home 

 and School Visit, r. X., 120. 



The original source of the above item is unknown, as it ap- 

 pears in a selected article with the title of 'The Cactus Bouquet.' 

 As the paragraph is embodied in the article as a quotation from 

 yet another article we only venture to give it for what it is worth. 

 Perhaps it may call forth observations from some of our readers. 



SAN FRANCISCO MICROSCOPICAL SOCIEPy. 



The meeting of this society, held June 4th, was a special one 

 to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of its organization. It 

 resulted in bringing together a large number of gentlemen who 

 are now or have been members, and the time was given to re- 



