Miscellaneous JVoiices in Mineralogy, Geology, fyc. 247 

 28. Pumice Stone floating on the Mississippi. 



It is mentioned by a western correspondent that at every 

 rise of the Mississippi, pumice stone floats down from the 

 heads of the Missouri river. Mr. Schoolcraft in his book 

 mentions similar facts; the pumice stone has been observed 

 floating even below Natchez. 



Every one will see the obvious inference with respect to 

 volcanoeB in the west. 



29. Fossil Bones found in East-Windsor, Connecticut. 



In Vol. II. p. 146 of this Journal, mention is made of 

 bones found imbedded in red sand-stone through which 

 they were sinking a well ; and the suggestion was made that 

 ihey may possibly be human. 



The following extract of a letter from John Hall, Esq. 

 of Ellington, Connecticut, dated May 27th 1820, expresses 

 a different opinion. 



Doctor Porter, a respectable surgeon, resident on the 

 spot was present a considerable part of the time while the 

 well was digging, and had the best opportunity for forming 

 a judgement of the nature of these bones. He says that 

 the bones did not belong to a human body, but to some an- 

 imal; and that the animal must have been about five feet 

 in length. The tail bone was easily discovered by its nu- 

 merous articulations distinctly visible when the bones were 

 first obtained ; and by its being projected, in a curvilinean 

 direction beyond the general mass. 



Dr P. further says that he critically examined tho bones 

 as they appeared when first extricated from the rock ; that 

 some of them, indeed, resembled particular bones in the 

 human body, but would also compare with certain bones 

 of other animals. He further confirms what, indeed, is 

 otherwise evident, that the bones, after exposure sometime 

 to the air, begin to crumble fast, and lose much of the ap- 

 pearance which they presented at first. He has specimens 

 of the tail bone now in his possession. 



