Miscellanies. 199 



of the earlier numbers of this Journal contains a brief account of some 

 specimens procured at Westfield, the western parish of Middletown, from 

 a pit excavated some years ago, with the delusive expectation of finding 

 coal. But the notice states that they were taken up many feet below the 

 surface, and in such a situation as would render it impossible to obtain 

 more, unless the mining operations should be resumed. Fortunately for 

 science, a much more favorable locality has since been opened in the vi- 

 cinity, from which the fish impressions may be obtained in almost any 

 quantity, with but little exertion. Fossils of the same kind are also pro- 

 cured in Middlefield, the adjoining parish, at a locality which has been 

 known for several years. 



Having in the past year visited both these places repeatedly, I submit 

 the following remarks, which may be interesting to geologists. 



The Westfield locality is situated about three quarters of a mile in a 

 north direction from the Congregational church, in the bed of a small 

 stream, which becomes nearly dry in the autumnal months, — the most fa- 

 vorable season for procuring the fossils. The operations of previous ex- 

 plorers are observable for several rods down the stream ; but the peculiar 

 site which seems to afford specimens the best defined, 'in the greatest abun- 

 dance, and with the least labor, is just west of a large spring, in the chan- 

 nel of the brook. The impressions found here are usually so indistinct 

 as to render it difficult to recognize the minute characters by which spe- 

 cies are usually distinguished. In a paper recently read before the Lyceum 

 of Natural History of New York, Mr. J. H. Redfield has offered names 

 for two varieties, common to this place and Middlefield : one of these he 

 calls Catopterus gracilis, and the other, PalcEoniscus latus. Without 

 doubt, other species, if not genera, will hereafter be recognized. A sin- 

 gle individual, of extraordinary size, which it seems difficult to refer to 

 either of the above genera, was obtained here last season, and is now in 

 possession of Mr. Jennings, a young gentleman of the Wesleyan Univer- 

 sity. The rays and scales are not sufficiently well defined to admit of a 

 correct and precise description. The following are some of the dimen- 

 sions, as found by accurate measurement, viz. Breadth of caudal fin, Sc- 

 inches ; length of anal fin, 3|^ ; length of dorsal fin, 2| ; greatest breadth 

 of body, 4 inches; least do. If inches. The head and anterior portion of 

 the body are wanting, the specimen being broken off near the base of the 

 dorsal. Probably the whole length was not less than 16 inches. The 

 stone in which the fishes occur, is a hard and brittle slate, or bituminous 

 shale, interstratified with sandstone, and bearing some traces of vegetables 

 converted into coal. A few indistinct specimens of a fossil, bearing a 

 strong resemblance to the eel, have recently been discovered ; but perhaps 

 they will be referred to the family of flags. Visitors will find it necessary 

 to obtain permission of the female proprietor. 



The Ichthyolites of Middlefield are found on land of Mr. George Miller, 

 at a spot locally known by the name of " Saw-Mill Hollow," near the Dur- 



