ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN GEOLOGISTS. 
39 
and either agree specifically or correspond nearly with those of 
the oolite coal of Brora and the equivalent beds at "V\Tiitby, &c., 
this presented^ in Prof. Rogers^s opinion,, a striking analogy with 
the abnormal development of the lower oolite in certain parts of 
Europe. 
Prof. W. B. Rogers communicated a paper On the Porous 
Anthracite of Eastern Virginia J' This essay was on the cause 
of the peculiar texture of this material, which the author ascribes 
to the thorough carbonization and desiccation of the vegetable 
matter before it was sealed in by th^ overlying strata. 
Prof. W. B. Rogers next read an essay ^' On the Connection of 
Thermal Springs in Virginia with anticlinal axes and Faults^ 
In this he gives a list of more than thirty thermal springs having 
an excess of temperature over the ordinary springs, of from two 
to nearly sixty degrees. These are all situated in the Appala- 
chian belt, and without an exception issue on or near the line of 
an anticlinal axis or fault, or near the contact of the Appalachian 
with the Hypogene rocks. Prof. Rogers laid much stress on 
the fact that the warmest of these springs were generally those 
which issued from the lowest formations. 
Prof. Rogers also submitted a paper On Observations on 
Subterranean Temperature made in the Mines of Eastern Virginia.^' 
This paper gave the results of observations with the thermometer 
at depths varying from one hundred to nearly eight hundred feet, 
all indicating an increase of temperature downwards. 
Prof. H. D. Rogers, read a paper " On the origin of the Appa- 
lachian Coal strata, bituminous and anthracite This essay in- 
cluded, amongst other subjects, inferences respecting the posi- 
tion of the ancient carboniferous sea and coast — wide range of the 
coal-beds — these identified from basin to basin ; also notes on the 
mechanical structure of coal, and inferences which prove that 
the persistency of the minor subdivisions of the coal-beds are in- 
consistent with the doctrine that the vegetable matter was drift- 
ed. The prevailing nature of the under stratum was remarked 
