248 Scientific Intelligence. 



The origin and development of the anal plates in the Fistulata 

 is of peculiar interest. Some time ago Mr. F. A. Bather in dis- 

 cussing the subject distinguished two separate pieces ; the 

 "radianal" or azygous ossicle and the " brachianal" or special 

 anal plate. As to the first there now seems to be but little doubt 

 that it is actually the lower section of the compound right-pos- 

 terior radial which in some groups served as an anal. Regarding 

 the second plate Messrs. Wachsmuth and Springer differ very 

 materially from Mr. Bather, in considering that there is no 

 sinking of the anal tube, nor a shifting of the radianal ; and 

 that with the widening of the anal area, a new plate was 

 introduced between the radials. The radianal does not appear 

 to change its position, but rests within the angle of two basals. 

 The plate, which in Iocrinus rests upon the radials, and which, 

 in Poteriocrinus is said to have passed down to the basals, is a 

 plate of the tube. 



5. Bulletins'! and 3 of the Geological Survey of Missouri ; 

 Arthur Wixslow, State Geologist, December, 1890. — Bulletin 

 Xo. 2, covering 158 pages, is occupied with a bibliography of the 

 geology of Missouri, by F. A. Samsox. It derives special value 

 from its giving full lists of the fossils described in the various 

 publications referred to, and notes on other topics. Bulletin Xo. 

 3 contains a paper by G. A. E. Ladd on Clay, Stone, Lime and 

 Sand industries of St. Louis city and county; and another by A. 

 E. Wooward on the mineral waters of Henry, St. Clair, Johnson 

 Benton counties. The first of these valuable papers is illustrated 

 by several photo-engravings. 



6. Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania: Oil and Gas 

 Pegio?i, I 5. pp. i-viii, 1-356, maps, 1890; Atlas Southern 

 Anthracite Field, Part III., A A. 1889; Dictionary of Fossils, 

 volumes II and III, P4, pp. 439-914, 915-1283, 1889. — Report I 5 

 discusses the progress and condition of the oil and gas regions 

 during 1887 and 1888, and presents statistical tables showing the 

 steady decline in the yield of both these products. The theory of 

 hydrostatic pressure, as applied to gas pressure in wells, is 

 opposed by Mr. Carll, the author of this report. The Dictionary 

 of Fossils is brought to a completion. AVhile of considerable 

 value as a compilation, it lacks the elements of a critical scientific 

 work. 



7. Geological Survey of New Jersey. — Final Report of the 

 State Geologist, vol. ii, Trenton, 1889. The first volume of the 

 final report was noticed in vol. xxxvii, 1889 (p. 232). This second 

 volume is devoted to the Natural History of the State and con- 

 tains a catalogue of minerals found in Xew Jersey by F. A. 

 Canfield (pp. 1-24) and a catalogue of plants by X. L. Britton 

 (pp. 25-619). Tables giving the distribution of the plants close 

 the volume. 



8. On a group of volcanic rocks from the Teioan Mountains, 

 New Mexico, and on the occurrence of primary quartz in certain 

 basalts ; by J. P. Iddings. 32 pp., 8vo. Bulletin 66, of the IT. S. 



