Geology and Mineralogy. 147 



Progressive tilting with uplift toward the west has disturbed 

 to some extent the simplicity of these relations. It is also seen 

 that the Champlain epoch as a single stage of submergence 

 accompanying the close of the ice age is a conception simpler 

 than the facts due to an earlier and necessarily imperfect state of 

 knowledge. 



The accurate distinction and delimitation of these closely simi- 

 lar but distinct formations calls for great observational keenness 

 and is of the first importance for the understanding of earth 

 movements now in progress. Dr. Shattuck is consequently to 

 be congratulated upon this piece of work. 



The latter half of the volume is devoted to an excellent account 

 of the fossils of the Middle or Late Pleistocene, none having been 

 found in the Pliocene. The fossils are described by Clark, Lucas, 

 Hay, Ulrich, Hollick, and Sellards, and are derived from marine 

 (about 46 species) and land deposits ; they include land plants 

 (about 40 species), fresh-water shells (1 Unio) and vertebrates 

 (4 Proboscidia, 2 turtles). An interesting map is given by F. A. 

 Lucas, showing the American distribution of the elephants E. 

 primigenius, E. columbi, and E. imperator. An account is also 

 given of the American mastodon Mammut americanum. 



j. b., c. s. 



2. Fifth Report of the Vermont State Geologist; 1906. Pp. viii 

 and 351, 58 pis. — The opening chapter treats of the building 

 and ornamental stones, and is by the State Geologist, Professor 

 G. H. Perkins. Considerable space is devoted to the occurrence 

 of asbestus and its origin. Professor Richardson describes the 

 areal and economic geology of northeastern Vermont, and gives 

 an extensive bibliography treating of the region. G. E. Edson 

 furnishes an historical sketch of the Cambrian age as related to 

 Vermont geology, followed by the geology of St. Albans and 

 vicinity. The Cambrian is represented by the Winooski or 

 S wanton marble and the Noah Parker shale, and the Ordovician 

 by the Chazy (only fossil mentioned is Maclurea magna), Tren- 

 ton (a list of 24 species is given) ; and an " intraformational con- 

 glomerate " holding a mixture of Lower and Upper Cambrian 

 fossils. 



Professor Seely has an account of the Cryptozoa of the early 

 Champlain sea, and while considerable space and many illustra- 

 tions are devoted to their elucidation, these objects remain in as 

 great darkness as before. A second article by the same writer 

 is on the Beekmantown and Chazy formations in the Champlain 

 valley. 



Professor Perkins continues his studies on the lignite or brown 

 coal of Brandon. This coal has now furnished a flora of nearly 

 150 species, consisting essentially of fruits with some woods. 

 The remaining papers are the " Superficial Geology of the Region 

 about Burlington," and " The Champlain Deposits of Northern 

 Vermont," both by C. H. Hitchcock ; and "The Drinking Waters 

 of Vermont," by G. H. Perkins. c. s. 



