1222 The American Naturalist. [December, 
mals can be innoculated with rattlesnake poison, and can eventually 
be bitten and experience no bad effects. 
Prof. Joseph F. James read a paper upon “ Fucoids and Other Prob- 
lematic Organisms.’’ He referred to his studies of the problematic 
organisms. He did not consider that the absence of carbonaceous 
matter was any evidence in itself that the forms were not Alge. 
Under the head of “ Probabilities of Preservation of Algæ ” he re- 
ferred to the structure and place of growth of sea-weeds, and quoted 
Lesquereux’s opinion that the plants are very rarely preserved, stating 
further that the strata containing the problematic organisms contain no 
fossil shells in anything like a perfect condition. Fragments are found 
in quantities, and if calcareous organisms are destroyed cellular Algz 
would stand a much poorer chance. The exposed beaches would, how- 
ever, be in an admirable position to retain raindrop impressions, mud 
cracks, and other inorganic markings, as well as worm burrows or trails 
made by shells or crustaceans. Under the head of “ Distribution in 
Space and Time” he briefly outlined the localities and the formations 
in which various genera occur ; and under the head of ** Value in Cor- 
relation ’’ spoke of Scolithus as having been largely used to character- 
ize the Potsdam, whereas it occurs in Lower Cambrian, Calciferous, 
and Medina strata also. He did not regard the problematic organisms 
as of value dy themselves, but taken in connection with lithology, 
stratigraphy, sedimentation, and the presence of undoubted organic 
remains, they might be of some use. He could see no objection to the 
naming and description of the forms if they were regarded as crusta- 
cean, or Annelid trails or borings, or as of inorganic origin ; but he 
thought they should not be referred to the Algz when they had no 
affinity to plants. 
November 15th, 1890.—Dr. C. Hart Merriam gave a short account 
of some of his experiences during the past summer in the cafion and 
lava beds of the Snake River country, Idaho. The lava beds are many 
hundreds of miles in extent to the north of the river, but are much 
smaller on the south. The country is peculiar and forbidding in 
aspect. Two or three buttes are known in the region, one of which is 
a great volcanic cone over 2,000 feet high. Lava flows and ridges are 
frequent, some of the former having a very recent aspect, the twists 
and bubbles of the lava being still plainly visible. The crust of the 
bubbles is a foot or two thick, and as it is liable to break at any time 
and allow the horse or the man to tumble into the hollow below, 
traveling is difficult and tiresome. The lack of water renders parts of 
the country almost inaccessible, and the heat in summer is intense. 
