Geology and Natural Histo?>y. 443 



The melting points of cobalt and nickel are regarded as correct 

 to within 5°, while the possible error of the others is probably- 

 less than 10°. The method employed was based on the measure- 

 ment of the intensity of a particular monochromatic radiation 

 from platinum or other substance, as discussed in an earlier paper 

 noted below. An atmosphere of pure hydrogen was found appli- 

 cable in the case of these easily oxidized elements. For melting 

 points above that of platinum, it is suggested that iridium, or 

 perhaps tungsten, may be used. 



The latter half of the same number (pp. 433-540) is occupied 

 by a paper by E. B. Rosa and N E. Dorsey, describing the 

 results of a new determination of the ratio of the electromagnetic 

 to the electrostatic unit of electricity. In this the method of 

 capacities has been emplo} r ed but with a higher degree of accu- 

 racy than has been realized hitherto. The conclusion of the 

 paper with the final results is held over for another number. In 

 a preceding issue of the Bulletin, a paper by Waidner and 

 Burgess describes the radiation from, and melting points of, pal- 

 ladium and platinum. The final values obtained are 1546° for 

 the melting point of palladium and 1753° for that of platinum. 

 The whole paper is an important contribution to the difficult sub- 

 ject of pyroraetry, leading to the establishment of a definite high- 

 temperature scale. 



II. Geology and Natural History. 



1. Devonic Fishes of the Neio Torh Formations ; by Charles 

 R. Eastman. New York State Museum, Mem. 10, 1907, pp. 235, 

 pis. 15. — This clearly written and interesting treatise on the 

 Devonian fishes (Agnatha and Pisces) of New York is of far 

 wider scope than is indicated by the title. The work treats, in one 

 form or another, of all American Devonian fishes, while the classifi- 

 cation and evolution takes into account all that is known of these 

 Precarboniferous animals. Of species described there are fifty- 

 eight and of these thirty-six are found in New York. The volume 

 should be owned by all paleontologists, and is one of the best of 

 the New York State Survey publications. 



After a short introduction there is presented a list of the Ameri- 

 can Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian fishes geologically arranged 

 with the localities of theit; known occurrence. A perusal of this 

 list, taking into consideration also the nature of the deposits and 

 their invertebrate contents, brings out strongly the conclusion that 

 nearly all of these fishes are of a normal marine habitat and that 

 at but two localities is the evidence decidedly in favor ot estuarine 

 waters (Campbellton, New Brunswick and Scaurnenac, Quebec). 

 Therefore a fresh-water fish fauna is asyet unknown in these older 

 Paleozoic strata. The tables further indicate that, an abundant 

 fish fauna, remarkable for its fishes, the Arthrodires, appears 



