NOTES AND QUERIES. 



199 



Echinoderms of Malta in the Annals of Natural History, 2nd series, vol. xv., 

 p. 101, &c. 



EcMnoderms are abundant in beds Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and are found also in 

 No. 4. Sharks have left their teeth abundantly in No. 2 ; and remains of 

 other fishes are frequent in No. 3. 



New Geological Works. — Can you tell me whether anything like a com- 

 plete list of all the works on geology published during the last year can be 

 procured ? Such a list would of course include new editions of old books, 

 such as the last of "Siluria," Page's "Handbook," &c. And then with 

 reference to the " works of art in the drift do you know of any resume or 

 analysis of this question ? It would be exceedingly interesting to have the 

 whole evidence collected, in order that one might study and compare the 

 various hypotheses at a glance, so to speak. — H. D. 



With respect to works of art m the drift, such a work is in contemplation 

 by the editor of this magazine. Bent's Monthly Literary Advertiser is sup- 

 posed to give a list of all new EngHsh books and new editions. We shall give 

 this topic further consideration, as to whether we can render the pages of 

 this magazine useful in this respect. No resume of the memoirs, papers, notes, 

 discourses, lectures, letters, &c., about the flints is yet made. 



Preservation oe Coal Plants in Cabinets. — Sir, — I have some 

 specimens of coal shale, which as usual bear upon their respective surfaces im- 

 pressions of Ferns, Calamites, &c. Several of the impressions being rather 

 indistinct, 1 wish, if possible, to render them more apparent, but in such a 

 manner as not to injure them in any way. If 1 mistake not, I have somewhere 

 seen it remarked that this object may be accomplished by gently brushing over 

 the surface a weak solution of Canada balsam dissolved in turpentine ; but as 

 1 am doubtful as to whether such be the case, 1 have ventured to refer myself 

 to you for the desired information. — Yours, &c., Amator Naturae. 



Coal plants are very commonly much injured by collectors themselves, by 

 being washed in water. Specimens will of course get dusty in the cabinet, and 

 recourse is naturally had to water for cleansing them. Water is also fre- 

 quently applied to heighten the contrast of their dark coally substance in 

 ordinary examinations, but the process of wetting is always ruinous to the 

 specimens. Appreciating the value of a proper means of preserving coal-plants, 

 we have submitted our correspondent's question to our friend, Mr. S. P. Wood 

 ward, of the British Museum, who tells us that he finds it " necessary to var- 

 nish, in some way, the coal-shale plants, both for the purpose of making them 

 more distinct at a little distance, and also to enable them to be sponged when 

 they get dusty. 



" 1 have seen fossils varnished with Canada balsam at the Geological Society, 

 some years ago, but it never appeared to answer for any length of time. The 

 balsam got soft in hot weather ; dust adhered to it ; and after a time it was 

 always opaque. 



" I am now trying some very thin and pellucid white lac varnish, of Bowney's, 

 which is soluble in spirits of wine. 1 usually endeavour to apply it the fossil 

 only, and not to the matrix ; and keep it so much diluted as not to make the 

 surface shine more than 1 can possibly help. This varnish is also useful for 

 protecting one part of a specimen while another part is being subjected to the 

 action of wet for the purpose of cleaning it.'^ 



Geology oe Cornwall. — Sir,— As 1 intend visiting Cornwall this summer, 

 I should feel much obliged for any information you could give me through the 

 " Geologist" as to the nature of the strata in that county, more particularly 

 near Truro, or on the coast near the " Deadman" and " Gull" rocks, or " Ger- 

 ran's Bay," and what fossils are generally found there. — Yours, &c.. Delta. 



The rocks of Cornwall are chiefly slaty schists, termed "killas," and granite, 



