Miscellanies. 185 



universality of this statement ? With respect to extinct volcanoes, 

 the word is not, it is true, used by writers very definitely ; but 

 we have been accustomed, with Dr. Daubeny, to regard all vol- 

 canoes cis active which have been eruptive within the limits of 

 history, or of credible tradition ; neither of which will apply, for 

 example, to Auvergne. 



With respect to the coal formations, we believe that the ex- 

 istence in certain situations of marine shells, if not of marine 

 plants, is admitted, implying perhaps only an estuary or occasional 

 flooded or sea shore communication with salt water, while all 

 agree that terrestrial organic forms are almost the exclusive ones 

 in these deposits. 



2. Geological Reports. 



To those of us who were among the pioneers in American 

 Geology, who began to observe and enquire when there were 

 fevf or none to lead and direct ; who looked out on the solid 

 world with inquisitive, but with almost despairing gaze, since 

 none could tell us what we saw, and there scarcely existed even 

 the rudiments of cabinets to aid our enquiries — it is most gratify- 

 ing to see, that the first third of the present century has brought 

 into the field a phalanx of explorers in geology and natural his- 

 tory, respectable indeed for numbers, but still more respectable 

 for knowledge, zeal, perseverance and success. The general 

 government has prompted various explorations in its unappro- 

 priated wilds ; companies and individuals are appealing to ge- 

 ologists to examine their mines and various supposed or real 

 treasures, and several of the States have, by law, provided for an 

 accurate reconnaissance, or a detailed and generalized survey of 

 their respective territories. From the Canadas we have many 

 interesting observations, chiefly by gentlemen connected with 

 the British army, or in the civil service ; Nova Scotia was explor- 

 ed some years ago by Dr. Jackson and Mr. Alger ; Dr. Jackson is 

 now executing the geological survey of Maine ; Massachusetts 

 has been fully described and delineated by Prof. Hitchcock, and 

 Connecticut by Prof C. U. Shepard and Dr. Percival.* Ver- 



* The report of the latter, although drawn up, is not yet published ; that of the 

 former was cited in our October No. (1837.) 



Vol. XXXIV.— No. 1. 24 



