RECORDS. 663 



of the most interesting discoveries was an exposure of plastic and 

 lignitic clay, presumably Cretaceous in age, on the south side of 

 Nonamessett. The proximity of this locality to the mainland 

 leads to the inference that other deposits of the same age, 

 which have escaped erosion, may be found further north, up 

 the old estuaries, where theoretically the formation once ex- 

 tended. The general surface features of the islands are such 

 as are characteristic of typical morainal regions, consisting of 

 rounded hills and corresponding depressions, many of the latter 

 occupied by ponds or swamps. 



In the discussion, replying to an inquiiy by Professor Kemp, 

 Dr. Hollick stated that only indefinite lignite remains had been 

 detected in the deposits, and that no ilmenite boulders had been 

 recognized. The chairman explained that the Piniis i^ig-ida, of 

 sparse occurrence on Naushon, was the prevailing conifer along 

 the south shore of Cape Cod to the eastward, while, on the other 

 hand, the beech was rarely found on the Cape. The morainic 

 chain of the Elizabeth Islands extended to the northerly part 

 of the Cape, in Brewster and Orleans, separated from the south 

 shore by modified glacial deposits in Dennis, Harwich and 

 Chatham. 



Professor R. E. Dodge was inclined to believe that the whole as- 

 pect of the topography of these islands was that of a drowned shore- 

 line, modified by subsequent erosive action, probably not caused 

 by easterly winds. 



Professor J. F. Kemp favored the view of tlie author, that 

 present erosive action was mainly concerned ; and Dr. HolHck 

 pointed out that the prevailing direction of the wind was south- 

 east, that extremely violent currents prevailed in the channels, 

 especially during ebb-tides, that sandspits occurred only at the 

 east end of the channels, and that, during the process of sinking 

 and erosion, the embayments deepened, met and united, and 

 thus the channels were cut through. 



Doctor Levison exhibited by the lantern six photographs 

 of minerals, natrolite and calcite, taken by reflected light ; four 

 enlargements of photomicrographs, by reflected light, of minute 

 groups of aragonite, apophyllite and stilbite ; a new method of 



