Miscellaneous. 459 
The fossil plants include large silicified trunks of trees, probably 
Sequoias, and many species, 90 to 100 in all, about 40 of which 
have already been described by Lesquereux, besides some flowers 
with long stamens. The assemblage of plants indicates, according 
to Lesquereux, a climate like that of the northern shores of the Gulf 
of Mexico ; of fishes, according to Cope, of latitude 35°; of insects, 
according to Scudder, a still warmer climate. 
The age of the deposits is referred by the most recent and best 
authorities to the later Eocene or early Miocene. 
The insects are soon to be described by Mr. Scudder in a quarto 
volume and illustrated by a large number of plates.—Amer. Journ. 
Sci. Nov. 1881, p. 409. 
On the Nature of Cyathophycus. By C. D. Waxcorr. 
This genus was originally described by me under the impression 
that the form was an alga of a peculiar appearance*. On reading 
the observations of Prof. R. P. Whitfield on the nature of Dictyo- 
phyton and its affinities to certain sponges, it was instantly sug- 
gested that Cyathophycus was probably a member of the same group. 
A special effort was made to obtain perfectly preserved specimens of 
the genus, and with such success that the reticulate structure men- 
tioned in the original description was found to be formed of a hori- 
zontal and perpendicular series of narrow bands crossing each other 
at right angles so as to ferm a network with rectangular interspaces, 
the narrow bands being formed of thread-like spicula resting on, or 
one against the other. The spicula differ in size; some are fili- 
form, while others are stronger and more prominent; and all appear 
to be replaced by pyrite, as in the Devonian specimens studied by 
Principal Dawson and Professor Whitfield. Through the kindness 
of Professor Whitfield I have had the opportunity of examining the 
Specimens referred to by him, and now have little doubt that 
the Utica slate form belongs to the same class, although probably 
differing generically from the Devonian species, and is an earlier 
representative of this interesting group of sponges. 
Cyathophycus reticulatus presents a beautiful appearanee when a 
large number of specimens are flattened out on a slab of the dark 
slate. Hach individual lies free from its associates; and the striking 
resemblance to Huplectella is seen at a glance, although the convex 
summit of the latter genus is absent, and the margin curves over 
and downward on the inside to a considerable distance at least ; how 
far is yet unknown. ‘The cylindrical forms vary in length from 10 
to 350 millim., and the spheroidal species, C. swbhsphericus, from 3 
to 60 millim. in diameter, each species preserving the rounded rim 
of the crcular aperture at the summit.—Amer. Journ. Sc. Nov. 
1881, p. 394. 
* Trans, Albany Institute, vol. x. 1879. 
+ Amer. Journ. Science, xxi. July & Aug. 1881; and pp. 167, 237 of 
the present volume of the ‘ Annals.’ 
