Association of American Geologists. 165 



mined fossils which thej contain, are nearly alike in all the localities 

 which he has visited in the above mentioned states. Slight contortions 

 of the strata with small faults or dislocations, which in some cases affect 

 the fossil specimens, are also common to the several localities, and seem to 

 be referable to like causes. 



Ill addition to the above, Mr. R. also exhibited specimens of a 

 new species of Catopterus from the rocks which overlie the coal 

 mines in Chesterfield county, Virginia. 



Some remarks upon the elevation of trap dykes were made by 

 the chairman, and Profs. H. D. Rogers, Mather, and Hitchcock. 

 The Association then adjourned until 4 o'clock. 



April Tth, 4 o'clock, P. M. — The Association met, Prof Silli- 

 Tnan in the chair. 



Mr. Vanuxem, from a committee appointed at the last meeting 

 of the Association, presented a report in regard to the " Ornithich- 

 nites or foot-marks of extinct birds in the new red sandstone of 

 Massachusetts and Connecticut," observed and described by Prof. 

 Hitchcock. This report confirms the opinion respecting these 

 appearances now entertained by Prof. Hitchcock. 



Report on the Ornithichnites or Foot Marks of Extinct Birds, in the 

 new red Sandstone of Massachusetts and Connecticut, observed and 

 described by Prof. Hitchcock, of Amherst. 



The undersigned, forming the committee to whom the subject of the 

 origin of the bird-tracks of Prof Hitchcock was assigned, beg leave to pre- 

 sent the follov/ing brief report. 



It may be well previously to state, that the object of the meeting in ap- 

 pointing this committee, was founded solely upon the desire to produce, if 

 possible, unanimity of opinion, there being a few of the members who 

 dissented from the views, published by Prof Hitchcock. In our country, 

 the subject, as it undoubtedly ought, had attracted considerable attention. 

 It had been very favorably received and republished in Europe, and from 

 its great importance to Paleozoic geology, an attempt should be made to 

 settle the question ; for were the views of our highly respected member 

 correct, we were made acquainted with the earliest period in which biped 

 animals existed whose foot-marks were analogous to, if not identical with, 

 those of the tread of birds. On the contrary, if wrong, we were pre- 

 sented with another class of facts, which show that certain appearances 

 supposed to belong solely to animal life, were held and presented by the 

 vegetable kingdom likewise. 



We shall now state, in a few words, what we suppose are the general 

 facts upon which Prof Hitchcock's views were founded, and then the 

 facts of those who assumed the opposite opinion. 



