218 Solérzano & Hobson—Plant-remains in Basalt, Mexico. 
The following is a translation of the last two paragraphs of the 
article: ‘‘To conclude these short notes, I will mention another 
voleanic product which, although it does not! occur in the environs 
of this city as do those previously described, is exceedingly interesting, 
since it proves not only the small conductivity of lavas in spite of 
their very high temperature, but also indicates, to a certain extent, the 
epoch in which volcanic phenomena were in full activity in the region 
where the rock I refer to was collected.” 
‘¢ This specimen, which is exhibited in the Museum before mentioned 
[Museo Michoacano], awakened the interest of that expert geologist 
and engineer, Mr. Kzequiel Orddnez. It is a basaltic scoria which 
was collected [at the Hacienda de la Magdalena, distant only some 
44 leagues (112 English miles) from this city, and at a very short 
distance from the volcanic Pico de Quinceo |,” and shows numerous and 
very distinct external impressions of female ears of maize and also 
entire grains and carbonized remains of the axis of the ear. (See 
Plate XI.) This seems to show that the inhabitants of the locality 
in question cultivated the plant just mentioned when a volcano [one 
of the extinct ones which exist between Quiroga and Patzcuaro |* 
made the eruption which ejected the rock above described.” 
It is of interest to recall other occurrences of plant-remains in basalt. 
J. Macculloch ‘ described and figured an erect coniferous tree in basalt 
at Gribon, Isle of Mull, which has subsequently been referred to by 
Mr. J. Starkie Gardner,’ and illustrated from a photograph in 
Sir A. Geikie’s ‘‘Scenery of Scotland’ (3rd ed., 1901, p. 142). 
Mr. H. M. Cadell® has described the remains (12 inches long) of 
a Lycopod stem in basalt at Cowdenhill, Grangepans. 
Mr. J. D. Dana, describing the Kilauea (Sandwich Islands) lava of 
the 1840 eruption, says:7 ‘ The rapidity with which lava cools is stall 
more remarkably shown in the fact that it was found sometimes 
hanging in stalactites from the branches of trees; and although so 
fluid when thrown off from the stream as to clasp the branch, the heat 
had barely scorched the bark.’’? Describing the Kilauea eruption of 
1868, he remarks:* ‘‘ As has happened in most Hawaiian eruptions, 
trees were enveloped by the lava-flood. Half-charred trunks were 
standing in 1887 with a rough cylindrical encasement of lava about 
the stumps.” 
Mr. J. 8. Diller® has described a tree pushed over by the advancing 
lava stream of the Cinder Cone, 10 miles north-east of Lassen Peak, 
and gives a plate (No. xiv) showing the tree in the lava. 
1 Tn view of the correction mentioned below the ‘‘ not ’’ should be omitted. 
* This is the correct locality according to a letter of November 3rd, 1906, from 
Dr. Soldrzano to me. The printed account states ‘‘in the vicinity of Quiroga, 
District of Morelia.” 
* This is incorrect owing to the true locality being different. 
4 «* A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland,”’ etc.: vol. i (1819), p. 568. 
> Quart. Journ. Geol. Soe., 1887, p. 283. 
6 « ‘the Occurrence of Plant Remains in Olivine Basalt in the Bo’ness Coalfield ”’ : 
Trans. Geol. Soc. Edin., vol. vi (1892), pp. 191-193, pl. vi. (See énfra, p. 219.) 
7 **Characteristics of Volcanoes,’ etc.: 1890, p. 64. 
2 IL@% Clits, Ts! Oil 
® “* A Late Volcanic Eruption in Northern California and its peculiar Lava’’ : 
Bulletin No. 79, U.S. Geol. Survey, 1891, p. 20. 
