1891.] Geology and Paleontology. 359 
The time has come when we must explain the ways and means 
whereby teachers shall be able to make their large classes of children 
do independent observational and mental work,—in a word, scientific 
work,—and when this difficult task is accomplished we may rest assured 
that the power thus gained by the young will enable them to seek and 
find for themselves those original sources of knowledge on any given 
subject which are contained in many libraries. We may go even a 
step farther and make the logical prediction that this same power will 
enable some of them, perhaps, to add to the stock of absolute knowl- 
edge. 
I desire to thank Mr. Kingsley for the expression of his views on 
other subjects concerning which naturalists are by no means agreed, 
and I write this reply only because the part of his review to which I 
have taken exception touches upon what Professor Hyatt and I con- 
sider a vital principle of science-teaching. 
Respectfully yours, ju MA 
General Notes. 
GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY. 
On a Collection of Fossil Birds from the Equus Beds of 
Oregon.'—Silver Lake is one of the alkaline lakes of Oregon, and 
lies somewhat to the southward of the middle part of the state, or, 
approximately speaking, in 43° .05’ N. lat., and 43° 25’ W. long. In 
a direct line it is a little more than sixty miles from Fort Klamath... It 
is a small lake, not over twelve miles long by some eight or nine wide. 
Fresh water passes into it from Silver Creek over a swampy delta near 
its northwestern extremity, and a smaller stream of pure water enters 
it from the westward. The topography of the country about it, as well 
as the geology of the vicinity, is interesting, and the fauna will well 
repay the further investigation of the naturalist. So far as at present 
known, there is but one species of fish that occurs in this lake, Afy/o- 
leucus formosus of Girard, one of the Cyprinide. Numerous species 
of aquatic birds are found in numbers on the lake, and frequent its 
the western grebe, represents one of the constantly present podicipi- 
dine forms found upon this sheet of water; and there they may be 
ae se echoed Soaig OF Weataciom, March 21st, 1891. 
