156 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
even identical on the subject of this memorial. It is, therefore, with 
gratification and with hopeful confidence that we now commend to the 
liberality of Congress a project which we believe to be truly advanta 
geous to all and injurious to none. ' 
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science, by A. D. Bacne, J. J. Apert, J. G. Tor 
ren, A. Guyot, M. F. Maury, Perer Force, Cuartes Henry Davis, 
E. B. Hunt. : 
7. On Gold and Platinum of Cape Blanco ; by W. P. Brae, (from 
edit. corresp.)—I have recently procured a sample of the Platinum and 
washed out from the beach sands at and near Point Oxford (Cape 
Blanco) on the California coast, near lat. 48° N. 
The gold is in small and very thin scales. About 20 per cent. of the 
sample consists of platinum, also in minute round scales not mueh larger 
than grains of common writing-sand. These scales are readily tified 
by a magnet, but are not easily separated from the gold. 1 am i 
formed that the miners throw out as much of the platinum as possible, 
as it lessens the value of the gold in the San Francisco market. 
amount of platinum in the gold as washed out is estimated to vary from 
10 to 30 per cent. 
Supposed Corallines of the Colorado Desert.—The supposed 
corallines observed by Mr. Blake on the borders of the region of the 
Ancient Lake in the Colorado Desert, are, as he suggests in a recent. 
letter, and as we find on examining his specimens, calcareous incrusta- 
tions or tufa having singular coral-like forms, resembling some Nalli- 
pores.—p. 
9. Additions to Article on Chinese and Aztec Plumagery; by D. J. 
he two popular encyclopedias, referred to on page 
are the Keh chi king yuen, and the Yuen kien lui yen. : 
beautiful article from Shensi is sometimes met with, called hung 
j d of the skin and feathers cov 
ering the head of a species of Pavonide, probably the Po/yplectron Ti 
; : eek cal ; 
ostly 
sought by gay and wealthy ladies, by whom they are worn within dvors 
Hie lustre s 
Prof. Edward Forbes.—Prof. Forbes has been appointed to the 
vacant chair of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. be 
11. Brazil.—The eminent Botanist, Martius, has announced bis 
tention of publishing in his general Flora of Brazil a map showing We 
routes of the most distinguished travellers who have visited that cout 
try, and another map giving a general view of its geognostical features 
2. Obituary.—Rosert Jameson.—Prof. Jameson died in April last 
at Edinburgh, in his Slst year. He was born at Leith, in 1773. He 
was for two years a student under Werner at Freyburg, and continued 
