1878.] 353 [Rathbun. 



lferous beds consist of compact flaggy sandstones, with shaly part- 

 ings containing Arthrophycus Harlani. In the sandstones are found 

 Lingula cuneata, Orthis hybrida, Bucania trilobata, etc. Mr. Derby 

 also examined the metamorphie regions both to the north and south 

 of the Amazonas, the shell heaps of Taperinha and the mounds of 

 Marajd, and will probably soon publish his results in full. 



The details already given tell but half the story of the field work 

 of the Geological Commission of Brazil. Immense geological, zoolog- 

 ical, and ethnological collections had been sent in from all directions, 

 amounting to nearly six hundred cases, which were deposited in a 

 store-house in Kio as fast as they were received. It became neces- 

 sary to examine and study these collections, so as to supplement and 

 complete the studies made in the field, and a single large roo.n was 

 awarded the Commission for this purpose. The task of opening an(l 

 arranging this flood of rich material fell upon me, and I soon found 

 that the one room, large as it was, would not properly contain one- 

 tenth of the collections. A large house was requested and finally 

 secured, and conveniently served as a museum, and as a biological, 

 chemical, and photographic laboratory. 



In June, 1877, prompted by motives of economy, and unacquainted 

 with the amount and value of the work being done by the Commis- 

 sion, Government gave orders for the temporary suspension of the 

 Survey on the first of July. After the Minister of Agriculture and 

 other powers, however, had been convinced of the loss Brazil would 

 sustain by suddenly discontinuing such an important undertaking, 

 instructions were issued to have the work go on in Rio, at least until 

 the close of the year. The Emperor, soon after returning to Rio (in 

 the autumn of 187 7), fresh from the museums of the Old World and 

 North America, carefully inspected the building and work of the 

 Geological Commission. He was astonished to find that the small 

 party which he had left eighteen months before, laboring quietly 

 among the rocks of the north of the Empire, had built up in his 

 own capital just such a laboratory of science as he had enjoyed 

 tarrying in in the many scientific centres he had lately visited. He" 

 showed a just appreciation of the value of the new Museum of Geol- 

 ogy, both to his own country and to the world at large, and he was 

 generous in his words of praise to the talented chief, who had so 

 dearly earned them. On leaving the building, almost the only thing 

 he said was, "your work shall continue." 



During the early part of last January, an entire change was made 



