318 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



preparation of considerable quantities of these peculiar substances, if 

 submitted to proper chemico-technical manipulation.* 



Professor Schneider has noted the presence of formic acid, which is of 

 extremely rare occurrence in mineral waters, in two of the springs at 

 Carlsbrunn in Austrian Silesia. These belong to the numerous group 

 of ferruginous acidulated springs, with alkaline and earthy salts, scattered 

 throughout the Sudetian mountains. Their temperature is not above 6° 5 

 to 7^ 0 C. ; they are nearly saturated with carbonic acid, and contain 7"04 

 parts of sohd substances (Carbonate of Iron, 0-286 per cent.; Carb. Lime, 

 5 053; Carb. Magnesia, 0-875 ; together with very minute proportions of 

 alkaline salts) in 10.000 parts of water.f 



M. Bulliot, the President of the Societe Ediiemie, states the probable 

 existence, in the lac of Ambleon, in the mountainous district of the Rhone 

 between Belley and Lhuis, of ancient remains like those of the SvtIss 

 Lakes. This district, until a few years since, was all but inaccessible, and 

 is now traversed only by a narrow road across the precipices. The lake 

 is little more than a mile in circumference, but its elevation is not less 

 than 2000 feet above the level of the sea ; while still higher above it 

 towers the mountain of Innimond. Under the water may be clearly seen 

 portions of fir-trees ; some erect, others crosswise, and apparently forming 

 a platform. The people of the district, when the water is low, fasten ropes 

 to these timbers and draw them ou.t with their oxen for use. It is remark- 

 able that they consist entirely of pine, a tree which no longer exists on 

 the mountain ; some of the timbers are placed at least a yard apart, and 

 have a diameter of 8 to 10 inches. Whether these are the remains of a 

 forest, or of lacustrine dwellings, only actual excavations can determine. 

 It is said that there are similar remains in other lakes in the district. 



EEYIEWS. 



On the Zoology of Ancient JEurojpe. By A. Newton, M.A. 

 London : Macmilian, 1862. 



This is a report, in pamphlet form, of a lecture given in the spring of 

 the present year, before the Cambridge Philosophical Society. It is dis- 

 cursive, but pleasant, and full of excellent mxaterial and remarks. 



The subject is one of great interest, but which its title scarcely expresses, 

 as it in no way designates the age — that immediate one between the geolo- 

 gical and historical — to which the author chiefly restricts his remarks. 

 The notices of the geographical ranges of Carnivora, of the Swiss Lake 

 dwellings, and the Danish Kjokkenmoddings are very good ; but perhaps 

 the part that will be most attractive to our readers will be the account of 

 relics found in the meres of Norfolk, of probably similar pile-houses to 

 those of the Swiss lakes, although on a small scale. 



A few miles from Thetford, are a number of natural ponds, or meres, 

 varying in size, from twenty roods to fifty acres. Many of these are situated 

 in the parishes of East and West Wretham, and one of them, known as 



* Proceedings Inipcr. Acad. Vienna, ^farch 29, 1862. Communicated bv Count 

 •Marschall. 



t rroceedings Imper. Acad, "\ ienna, April 3, 1862. Communicated by Count 

 Marsrhall. 



