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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



show unique combinations. The work of measuring and deter- 

 mining these has already been completed. A fibrous variety of 

 amphibole, closely resembling the byssolite from Knappenwand 

 in the Tyrol, was also found at this locality. 



Some excellent examples of the skeleton crystals of tourmalin 

 and orthoclase from Roe's spar bed near Port Henry, described 

 by E. H. Williams, 1 were added to the collection. 



The custom of displaying new accessions for a short time in a 

 separate case has been inaugurated with gratifying results, ex- 

 perience teaching that such a method of showing recently acquired 

 material en bloc attracts the eye and arouses the interest of the 

 visitor. 



Paleontology 



Correlation studies . The problems now presented by the ancient 

 faunas of the State become constantly more serious and far-reach- 

 ing in their scope. They are questions relating not merely to the 

 constitution and peculiarities of organisms in the rocks but are 

 those of ancient geography, the reconstruction of former coast 

 lines, the ever changing relations of land and water during the vast 

 lapse of time represented by the rocks of the State. Light on these 

 difficult and delicate problems is sought from every available source 

 and in continuation of work begun some years ago toward the study 

 of some of the New York faunas in Quebec, New Brunswick and 

 eastern Maine, investigations have been extended to the wilder- 

 ness of northern Maine and northern New Hampshire. The wild 

 lands of northern Maine have hardly been entered for geologic 

 research since the date of the explorations made by Dr C. H. Hitch- 

 cock and reported in 1861-62 to the Maine Board of Agriculture. 

 During the past year extensive collections have been made from 

 the early Devonic rocks from various localities in Penobscot, Pis- 

 cataquis and Somerset counties by O. O. Nylander, covering in a 

 very complete manner the entire band of so called Oriskany sand- 

 stone which is from 20 to 30 miles in width and extends from Par- 

 lin pond at the southwest across the Moosehead and Chamberlin 

 lake country northeastward to Fort Kent on the St John river, a 

 distance of nearly 150 miles. 



The problems involved in this study have been nearly brought 

 to such a degree of completion as the present situation permits, 

 and the work is moving along deliberately through the press. 



'E. H. Williams, Am. Jour. Sci. 11:273. 1876. 



