192 Miscellanies. 



which will render the valuable statistical information contained in them, 

 very available. The astronomical department is still under the conduct 

 of Mr. Paine, and is, as usual, able and accurate. 



18. Green Feldspar and Galena. — The green feldspar of Beverly, 

 mentioned in our last, was discovered by Prof Webster, not by Dr. 

 Cornelius, as stated, together with zircon, and described in the Boston 

 Jour, of Philos. Vol. 1st. A vein of Galena has just been discovered at 

 Dedham, Mass. 



19. Fossil Fishes in the red sandstone of Neio Jersey. — Professor Gale, 

 of the New York University, has found fossil fishes in the sandstone of 

 New Jersey, near its western margin in Morris County. The existence 

 of these fossils seems to have been long known to persons residing in 

 the vicinity. The principal specimen obtained by Prof Gale, appears to 

 be a species of the Palceoniscus, of Agassiz, and is probably identical 

 with one of the PalcBonisci, found at Middletown, in the state of Connec- 

 ticut. 



20. United States South Sea Surveying and Exploring Expedition. — 

 The squadron entrusted with the execution of this important national 

 enterprise, sailed from Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Va. on the evening of 

 Saturday, August 18, 18o8. The results of this noble undertaking will, 

 we doubt not, prove of the greatest value to the cause of science and to 

 the nautical and commercial interests of the nation, and highly creditable 

 both to the members of the expedition, and to the government which 

 sends it forth. The officers of the various vessels, and the members of 

 the scientific corps which accompanies them, are gentlemen of ample 

 qualifications for the arduous and honorable duties assigned to them ; and 

 the auspices under which the expedition is finally dispatched, are highly 

 propitious. The enterprise has excited a deep interest in the mind of 

 the nation, and all embarked in it depart with the kindest wishes of their 

 countrymen, for their prosperity, and for their safe return, in due time, to 

 their kindred and their homes. 



We annex an account of the vessels constituting the squadron, with a 

 list of the officers and of the gentlemen of the scientific corps. 



The Vincennes, is a first-class sloop of war, of 650 tons, commanded 

 hy Charles Wilkes, Esq. Commander i7i Chief of the Expedition. Alight 

 spar deck has been put on this ship, which gives her the appearance and 

 some of the conveniences of a small frigate. Her battery is reduced to 8 

 guns, and she carries about 150 men. The Peacock, commanded by 

 William L. Hudson, Esq. is a second-class sloop of war, of 600 tons, and 

 of the same construction. She carries 130 men and 8 guns. The store- 

 ship Relief, commanded hy A. K. Long, Esq. is of 450 tons burthen, 



