Association of Americmi Geologists. 163 



adequate to account for the enormous quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen 

 which is evolved, and lastly, that the almost entire absence of sulphate of 

 iron in the New York sulphur springs, is irreconcilable with this theory. 



The author then noticed the two general theories which have been pro- 

 posed in regard to the origin of these springs, and gave the preference to 

 the chemical theory, or that which attributes them, as the products of the 

 great volcanic focus, to a chemical agency, as most consistent with the 

 facts hitherto observed in the State of New York. He proposed, however, 

 to extend the chemical theory so as to include the action of water upon 

 the sulphurets of the bases of the alkalies and alkaline earths assumed to 

 exist in the interior of the earth. 



The Association then adjourned until 10 o'clock, Wednesday 

 morning. 



Wednesday, April 7th, 1841, 10 o'clock, A. M. — The Associa- 

 tion met pursuant to adjournment. Prof. Sillimaji in the chair. 



The subject of sulphur springs was discussed by Messrs. H. 

 D. Rogers, Locke, M. H. Boye, Johnson and Mather. Mr. Va- 

 nuxern announced his intention of presenting his views in regard 

 to the New York sulphur springs at the next meeting of the 

 association. 



Prof. Hubbard presented a specimen of the slate found at 

 Waterville, Maine, containing impressions, which in the Geologi- 

 cal Report of Maine, were described as resembling ferns and fuci, 

 which they resembled more than any thing else that had been 

 found at that time, and of course an error in regard to their nature 

 was unavoidable. Having received Mnrchison's Silurian system 

 about two years since. Prof. H. found that the impressions were 

 true Annelides and belong to the two genera Myrianites and Ne- 

 reites figured in that work ; thus carrying the occurrence of or- 

 ganic life in the New England rocks, one step lower than had 

 heretofore been observed, and showing a coincidence between the 

 Waterville slate and the slate containing the Annelides described 

 by Murchison and included by him among the Cambrian rocks. 



Dr. Jackson observed that he had received information from 

 other gentlemen, that impressions of ferns occurred in the Water- 

 ville slate and had stated this in his first annual report of the ge- 

 ology of Maine. He had, however, subsequently visited the local- 

 ity and satisfactorily ascertained that the slates of Waterville do 

 not belong to the coal formation, and this fact was stated by him 

 in his second report. Dr. J. remarked, that in justice to the gen- 

 tlemen referred to, it should be observed that Prof. Sedgwick and 



