150 Scientific Intelligence. 
Mucorini oe as the chief source aS Mineral Coal. 
Ge Re ae P. F. Rewuscu, of Erlangen, Bavaria, has announced, 
i b 
means of thin transparent slices, the view that in the formation 
of coal only certain ~— forms of plant-life took part ; and that 
these forms are so well preserved in some cases that almost no 
difference can be abeuresil in their most intimate structure from 
similar forms still living. They are long sg a forms of cellular 
structure, united to strong stems; and in the fibrous net-work, 
with the net-work. The fibers in the coal, which, according to 
the author’s conclusions, constitute the chief part of it, consist, 
as a general rule, of opake coaly material, but in the finer 
ramifications a micro-granular structure can .be distinguished. 
The spherical bodies, which sometimes adhere together with flat- 
tened sides, sor a diameter of from 0°13 to 0°24 millimeter. The 
structur e is somewhat more Ry defined eee heating = 
is generally at the center a rhombohedral kernel of a somewhat 
more nedicgaboat substance than the rest; and the substance in 
them which becomes somewhat more trans parent on treatment 
with caustic potash has a radiated structure. The forms are 
declared to be gigantic Mucorin 
ese sobidlandions of Brodeaior Reinsch are wholly opposed to 
those of other investigators, and to the tm presented by all the 
ordinary kinds of mineral coal. The author has evidently mis- 
understood the objects under poeadoesics wid his supposed facts 
are Ge likely to find acceptance in science. 
Pre New American locality of Fergusonite; by W. E, Hiv- 
N (communicated). Besides other results of my search for 
plationta, in the auriferous gravels of the Southern States, is the 
discovery, i in July, 1879, of the mineral fergusonite at Brindletown, 
pre Co., N.C. <A few of the crystals were — by e lately 
o Dr. J. Lawrence Smith, who answers as follows: “I pepe 
ue fergusonite safely and have made an sie eadbaetsats of it. It is 
beyond all doubt that mineral; its specific gravity is 5°87. 
Metallic acids, principally columbic acid, 49°83 
ia earths, 47-01 
Oxide of iron and uranium, ..--..--- 42 
Water, 1°01 
98°27 
This analysis corresponds pce a fergusonite. I intend 
of course, to make a more thorough examination on well selected 
pieces. | lt also possesses the property of ‘Powe in an eminent 
mor rticular Sek et with figures of crystals 
lle’s Phytography. La Phytopraphie, ou [Art de 
eee les hp. isco considérés sous différents points eA hg par 
u. DeCanpotte, ete. Paris, Masson, 1880. Ae 
Tidustle as the present volume is, it may very pro ets ae be 
Oo-— 
