Association of American Geologists and Naturalists. 151 
” be nature’s method of distributing this substance, as a fertilizing agent ? 
whether it could be detected unchanged in soils? and what changes 
does it undergo during the decomposition of vegetable matter? He 
then stated that although oxalate of lime was the most common crys- 
talline matter in plants, other substances also occur, and he showed 
drawings of cubical crystals in the cells of the potato, right square 
prisms in the cells of the outer layers of the onion, and flattened octa- 
hedrons, &c. in Rhus, all of which forms are incompatible with those of 
oxalate of lime. The examination of these forms and the acicular and 
other crystals of monocotyledonous plants, Prof. B. proposed to make 
the subject of a future communication to the Society. 
Prof. B. then read an abstract of some observations on crystals, by 
M. Payen of Paris, which he had met with since the preparation of his 
memoir. His only knowledge of Payen’s labors was. derived from this 
brief notice in the London Microscopic Journal, which did not enable 
him to judge to what extent M. Payen might have anticipated his re- 
sults. In cases, however, where the results obtamed by M. Payen might 
be similar to those obtained by Prof. B., the latter could still claim ori- 
ginality, although not priority of discovery. 
Dr. Jackson enquired of Prof. Bailey if he had observed simi- 
lar crystalline bodies in Indian corn? » 
Prof. Bailey stated that he had not observed any definite forms 
in any of the grasses. 
Dr. David Dale Owen then read a paper “on the Geology of 
the Western States.” 
The formations of the district described, belong chiefly to the eras of 
the bituminous coal, the carboniferous or mountain limestone, and the 
Silurian rocks of Murchison. 
The order of superposition of the above formations, their dip and out- 
crop, were exhibited by two eighteen feet sections; one running from 
S. E. to N. W., from the Unaka Mountain in ‘Tennessee, to the mouth 
of the Wisconsin river; the other from 8S. W. to N. E., from the Chick- 
asaw bluff on the Mississippi to Pittsburg. The superficial area of each 
group of rocks was laid down on a large chart, colored to correspond 
with the sections. Over each formation, in their appropriate geograph- 
ical and stratigraphical position, were figures of the organic remains 
on a magnified scale, so that they could be seen at a distance. 
The most interesting points touched upon by Dr. Owen, were the de- 
scription of the “‘ Great Illinois Coal Field,” equalling in area the en- 
tire island of Great Britain, and occupying the greater part of Illinois, 
about one third of Indiana, a northwestern strip of Kentucky, and ex- 
tending a short distance into lowa. A specimen of coal from this coal 
