a." General Notes. [ January, — 
and embodies some fresh facts regarding their spicular structure, _ 
as well as descriptions of five new species, From the close simi- _ 
larity between the minute spicular characters of these species and 
those of existing Calcisponges, the writer believes that the origis _ 
nally calcareous composition of the fossil forms can no longer be 
disputed. He also believes that the majority of the Pharetones. — 
possessed a “dermal layer of quadriradiate (?) spicules.” The 
affinities of Paleocampa, Meek and Worthen, as evidence of 
wide diversity of type in the earliest known Myriopods, by S.H. 
Scudder. In the October number of the Geological Magazine 
H. H. Howorth continues his argument in favor of the occurrence _ 
of a great Post glacial flood by examining the evidence of the 
Angular drift which overlies much of the land on either side of — 
the English channel. The unrolled surface of these stones, the 
presence among them of land-shells and quadrupedal bones, the — 
want of stratification, and the lack of marine beaches and of 
marine organisms throughout this layer, are to the author eloa f 
quent evidence of their deposition by a sudden and violent flood. 
The absence of river shells, and the lack, throughout the section | 
of the English channel, of any smooth trough such as a river F 
would form, are against the fluviatile origin of this drift, as is also _ 
the character of the drift itself, so widely different from the fine 
mud of the deltas. Mr. Howorth promises a farther argument, — 
but hints that the flood he postulates is not a universal or Nowy 
achian deluge; H. Woodward has a note on El/ipsccaris dewalquet, — 
a new Phyllopod crustacean shield from the Upper Devonian 
of Belgium; N. Flight continues his history of meteorites ; T:E 
Jamieson continues his enquiry into the causes of the depression 
and re-elevation of the land during the Glacial period; and J. S. 
Gardner gives suggestions for a revised classification of the Brit- 
ish Eocenes. Mr. Gardner believes that the separation of a part 
of the series as Oligocene is artificial as regards England. The 
Oligocene strata of England are the Fluvio-marine series of 
Isle of Wight. The United States Geological Survey is pro 
cuting work in the old States as well as in the Territories of 
West. Three parties are now surveying in the Southern Ap 
lachians. Many of the employés are local geologists. 
MINERALOGY:.' 
THE MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF MiNERALS.— Mechani 
methods for separating the minerals composing a rock are 0 
great value in lithological investigations, and, where possible, 
should be employed in advance of chemical analyses. The 
method is the now well-known one of using a liquid of gre 
density, such as a solution of mercuric iodide, in which the pub 
1 Edited by Professor H. CARVILL Lewis, Academy of Natural Sciences, 
delphia, to whom communications, papers for review, etc., should be sent. 
