670 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of time in careful and oft repeated proof-reading. It has already 

 been stated that the 17th annual report is now printing and the 

 18th or final report awaiting printing. In addition to these publi- 

 cations the paleontologist has issued the following: 

 University handbook 13, Paleontology 



University handbook 15, Guide to excursions in the fossiliferous 

 rocks of Xew York state 



There is now in press a bulletin containing these papers: The 

 Lower Silurian system of eastern Montgomery co.; Notes on the 

 stratigraphy of the Mohawk valley and Saratoga co., by E. R. 

 Cumings and C. S. Prosser, and I communicate herewith the 

 manuscript of an additional bulletin covering the following sub- 

 jects: 



A remarkable occurrence of Orthoceras in the Oneonta sand- 

 stone of Chenango co. 



The water biscuit of Squaw island, Canandaigua lake 

 Paropsonema, a peculiar echinoderm from the In- 

 tumescens-zone of western New York 



Dictyonine hexactinellid sponges from the Upper Devonic 

 Also the manuscript of a memoir by the paleontologist entitled 

 the Fauna of the Oriskany formation in the state of New York, and 

 that of a General record of the localities of American paleozoic fos- 

 sils belonging to the state museum. 



The paleontologist also has in course of preparation a hand- 

 book of the paleontology of New York. This, which it is hoped 

 may prove a useful publication, is one requiring much careful 

 thought and labor and its progress must be cautious and conse- 

 quently slow. 



Investigations 



Among the subjects which have received protracted study are 

 the following: 



The hydraulic limestones of western and central New York 

 The extensive series of hydraulic limestones which lie above 

 the gypsum of the Salina beds have in times past been va- 

 riously referred either to the Salina below or to the Helder- 

 bergian above. With the purpose of ascertaining all organic or 



