142 Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 
animal life from sea-water, and it was not impossible that mag- 
nesia might be secreted in the same manner. 
Prof. H. Emmons, referring to the interest of the subject of 
metamorphism, advanced the opinion that the view of Mr. Dana 
was not sufficient to meet all the phenomena, and that cases ex- 
isted where the changes could not be referred to his explanations. 
The influence of trap dykes had no doubt been overrated, and in 
his observations the alterations effected by them were confined 
to a very limited space, a foot or less, and not unfrequently the 
line of contact. He thought that there were metamorphic chan- 
ges due to the influence of cold water transfused through and 
filling all the pores of rocks, particularly those changes which 
take place in lime-rocks. The siliceous nodules on the clay beds 
of Johnsberg, seemed to be in the position where they were form- 
ed, as the clay presented internal evidence of having never been 
moved, and this change from feldspar to clay, and the segregation 
of the silica, he deemed referable to the transfused water. 
Mr. Dana said he recognized also the action of cold water as 
supposed by Prof. Emmons, and cited a bed of clay at the foot 
of a basaltic hill in New South Wales, containing nodules of sili- 
ceous matter, which he supposed proceeded from the decomposi- 
tion of basalt. 
Prof. H. D. Rogers found objection to the theory of Mr. 
Dana, on the ground that an internal fluid mass of molten lava, 
was more likely to convey heat to the superincumbent rocks, 
than an ocean of water heated to any considerable extent. Prof. 
Rogers said he would ask liberty to explain his views more ful- 
ly at another hour. 
The Association then adjourned till 9 o’clock, Thursday morn- 
ing. 
Thursday, April 27th, 9 A. M.—The Association met at the 
hour appointed, when the Chair presented a list of names from 
the standing committee, of gentlemen as candidates for admission 
to the Association, viz. Messrs. A. Osporn, of Herkimer, N. Y.; 
G. S. Weaver, of Cambridgeport, Vi.; Lyman Wixper, of Hoo- 
sick Falls, N. Y.; and Franxuin Everert, of Canijoharie, N. Y. 
They were unanimously elected. 
The Secretary then read a letter from Prof. O. P. Hubbard, the 
Secretary elect, to the Chair, stating that he was unable to be 
present at the meeting, from the pressure of other duties, and ex- 
