1892.] Geology and Paleontology. 49 



pre-loessial erosion ; (3) by chemical changes in the sands and gravels, 

 due to long exposure to atmospheric agencies. 



Further evidence is adduced to show that the Orange Sands cannot 

 be referred to the first episode of the glacial epoch, nor to the interval 

 between the twoglaciationsof the first glacial epoch — they are undoubt- 

 edly pre-plistocene ; and the conclusion is given as follows: 



" In the light of the foregoing evidence, we find but one conclusion 

 possible respecting the age of the Orange Sand. In six States, at least, 

 it is true that, beneath the loess and above the Orange Sand, there is 

 an old surface so deeply weathered and oxidized as to indicate a long 

 period of exposure before the deposition of the loess Every- 

 where below this horizon there is an absence of material which can be 

 referred to a glacial origin; while, above this horizon, the loess and 

 other fluvial deposits contain material of glacial derivation. This old 

 surface we hold to be the dividing plane between the Plistocene and the 

 Pre-plistocene formations." 



Cretaceous Fossils from Syria.— A bulletin of the American 

 Museum of Natural History, issued December, 1891, contains observa- 

 tions on some Cretaceous Fossils from the Beyrut district of Syria, in 

 the collection of the Museum, with descriptions of some new species by 

 E. P. Whitfield. A tabulated list shows that, of the 175 species, 93 are 

 Lamellibranchiates and 82 are Gastropods, from six distinct beds of 

 Cretaceous rocks, the lowest of which is above the zone of the (Metr- 

 ites glandarius Lang., below which comes the Jurassic beds of Mejdel 



The Age of the Staked Plain of Texas.— Mr. II. T. Hill has 



stated that the superficial beds of this large area (10,000 square miles) 

 are of Cenozoic age. Mr. W. T. Cummins states (First Annual Report 

 of the Geological Survey of Texas) that they are of light-colored 

 calcareous material, and he calls them the Blanco Canyon beds. Dr. 

 E. T. Dunible, director of the Geological Survey of Texas, having 

 sent me some vertebrate fossils from Blanco Canyon, I have deter- 

 mined them as follows: A new species of Equus (E. simplicidens 

 Cope) is associated with a Mastodon with molar teeth of the 21. ungus- 

 tidens type, and a new species of laud tortoise, Testudo turgubi t ope. 

 The association of the genus Equus with the Mastodon of the angus- 

 tidens type has not been observed previously on this continent, the 

 latter ceasing with the Loup Fork beds, and the former commencing 

 with the Equus bed. The Blanco formation may thus be regarded as 



Mo. Bot. Garden, 



1893 



