1871.] 139 [Perry. 



rose directly from the surface without running along, as the larger- 

 winged petrels did. 



Dr. Kneeland also presented to the Society some specimens 

 of copper ore from Chili, and beautiful green beetles worn 

 as ornaments by the Brazilian ladies. 



Rev. J. B. Perry conjectured that some of the so-called 

 Scolithi in the Potsdam may be the peduncles of the 

 Brachiopods. In confirmation of this he remarked, that 

 Brachiopods are found in considerable abundance in many of 

 the primordial rocks. He also added that the probable 

 traces of worms occur, not only in the Potsdam, but also in 

 rocks of much greater age. What appear to be worm-bur- 

 rows are found, in rocks in Vermont, at least twenty-five 

 thousand feet below the Potsdam sandstone. They, and 

 other traces of worms, are said to occur in the oldest fossilif- 

 erous rocks in England and Ireland, namely, in the Long- 

 mynd rocks and several of the overlying primordial forma- 

 tions. 



Mr. Morse said it might seem singular that in the Potsdam 

 we should not find the shells, if these cases are the peduncles. 

 This, however, is readily accounted for on the ground that 

 the sandstone is not favorable to the preservation of organic 

 remains. 



Prof. Hyatt said Mr. Billings thought these cases were 

 masses of sponge, on account of the presence of spiculae in 

 them, but they show themselves to be peduncles, by the 

 swelling at the extremity. 



Prof. Hyatt also read a letter from Mr. W. H. Dall, in 

 which he presents a valuable specimen of a new Lingula, 

 discovered by him, to the Society, with the request that Mr. 

 Morse may have an opportunity to study the structure of the 

 animal. 



