1893.] Geology and Paleontology. 379 
exception of Mioclenus turgidus died out and left no descendants.— 
Cuas. EARLE. 
_ American Museum of Natural History, New York. 
. The Brown Coal and Lignite of Texas.°—Mr. E.T. Dumble’s 
comprehensive report on the fossil fuel supply of Texas has been issued 
as a separate publication by the Geological Survey of that State. In 
the course of his investigations, Mr. Dumble found it necessary to visit 
the mines and factories of Austria and Germany, where by personal 
observation he ascertained the character, use, and value of lignites, 
together with the best methods of utilizing this fossil wealth. His 
report is complete, both froma geological and an economic standpoint. 
Geologically, he describes the origin, formation, physical and chemical 
character, and the occurrence of the brown coal. Incidentally a clas- 
sification of the Texas brown coals is given. As an economist, Mr. 
Dumble suggests the particular uses to which the varieties of brown 
coal may be put, discusses the valuable products that may be obtained 
from it, and gives in detail the most approved methods of making it 
into artificial fuel by brignetting. In a word, Mr. Dumble has demon- 
strated that in her brown coals and lignite, Texas has an abundant 
and cheap fuel supply. 
The text is illustrated with a number of cuts of machinery, and an 
excellent map. 
Extinct Fauna of Mauritius.—At the meeting of the Zoological 
Society, of London, Nov. 1, 1892, a communication was read from Sir 
Edward Newton and Dr. Gadow, describing a collection of bones of 
the dodo and other extinct birds of Mauritius, recovered from the 
Mare aux Songes in that island by the exertions of Mr. Theodore 
Sauzier. The collection contained examples of the atlas, metacarpals, 
prepelvic vertebre and complete pubic bones of the dodo, which have 
heretofore been wanting, as well as additional bones of Lophopsittacus, 
Aphanapteryx and other forms previously known to have inhabited 
that island. Besides these there were bones of other birds, the exist- 
ence of which was not before suspected, and these were described as 
belonging to the genera Strix, Astur, Butorides, Plotus, Sarcidiornis, 
and Anas. 
5Report of the Brown Coal and Lignite of Texas. Character, Formation, Occur- 
rence and Fuel Uses. By E. T. Dumble, F. G. S. A., State Geologist. 
