Geology and Mineralogy. 



is to be noted that the coal i 



Chaituncr, west of Pekin, obtained by R. Pumpelly, and described 

 by Dr. Newberry (Geol. Res. in China, etc., Sraithsou. Contrib., 

 No. 202, 1867,) are referred by the latter to the Trias; they 

 embraced the species Pterozamites Sinensis Newb., Podozamites 

 lanceolatus Lindl., Pod. JEmmonsii Newb., {P. lanceolatus of N. 

 Carolina, Emmons), Sphenopteris orientalis Newb., Pecopteris 

 Whithyensis Brongn., Hymenophyllites tenellus Newb., Taxites 

 spatulatus Newb. Von Richthofen, on the contrary, concluded, 

 from the conformabilitv of the coal-bearing beds to others below 

 containing Paleozoic fossils, that the coal of China (this Journal, 

 II, i, 410,'"l8'70), was for the most part Carboniferous. 



1. The Dawn of Life, being the History of the oldest known 

 Fossil Eemalns, and their, relations to Geological Time and to the 

 development of the Animal Kingdom; by J. W. Dawson, LL.D., 

 F.R.S., etc. 240 pp. 12mo, with plates and wood-cuts. London, 

 ] 875. (Hodder and Stoughton. )— This volume contains a complete 

 account of the history of the discovery of the Eozoon, and of its 

 structure and nature as developed by Dr. Dawson, Prof. Carpenter, 

 and others. The facts described are illustrated by excellent fig- 

 ures; and one of them, facing page 35, representing an Eozoon 

 mass, looks exceedingly like a form of coral — the Stromatoporae — 

 to which group it was referred by Logan before its interior struc- 

 ture was studied. The subject discussed is of profound geological 

 importance, since it bears on the question as to the first expression 

 of the animal idea in an organism, and the volume is therefore one 

 of great interest. The Eozoon is referred by the author to the sec- 

 tion of the Rhizopods containing the Forarainifers, and to the divi- 

 sion of the Foraminifers called Perforata., to which the Kummuli- 

 nidce, GloMgerinidm and Lagenidos belong, which have calcare- 

 ous skeletons penetrated by pores. An inferior division, called 

 the Imperforata., have calcareous membranous or arenaceous 

 skeletons without pores. 



8. Geographical and Geological Surveys; by J. D. AVhitmet. 

 96 pp. 8vo. From the North American Review for July and Oc- 

 tober, 1 875. Cambridge, 1 875. (Welch, Bigelow & Co.)— Profes- 

 sor Whitney in these papers brings to bear the results of his wide 

 experience as a geographical and'geological explorer, in a discus- 

 sion of the objects, methods, and purposes of such surveys, and 

 gives some account of their history in this and other countries. 

 Much information is presented on the topographical maps issued by 

 foreign governments, and on those in progress and needed at home. 

 The history of geological exploration in the United States is treated 

 with considerable detail and with discrimination. The volume is 

 one to which all may go for information arid judicious advice as to 

 the ends accomplished by State surveys, and the means required to 

 secure from them the greatest good to the people. 



9. Bescriptive Catalogue of the specimens in the Ifuseum of 

 jlfelboHrne, illustrating the rock system of Victoria / by G. H. F. 

 L^Liucii, M.E.,F.G.S. 108 pp. 8vo. Melbourne, 1875.— Besides 



