318 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
preparation of considerable quantities of these peculiar substances, if 
submitted to proper cheraico-tecb.nical manipulation.* 
Professor Schneider has noted the presence of formic acid, -vvhieh is of 
extremely rare occurrence in mineral waters, in two of the springs at 
Carlsbrunn in Austrian Sih'sia. 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 Ii'on, 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. t 
M. BuUiot, the President of the Soclete Eduenne, states the probable 
existence, in the lac of Ambleon, in the mountainous district of the Ebone 
between Belley and Lhuis, of ancient remains like those of the Swiss 
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 tiie 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, w hen the water is low, fasten ropes 
to these timbers and draw them out 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. 
EEVIEYf S. 
On the Zoology of Ancient Europe. By A. Newton, M.A. 
London : Macmillan, 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 material 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 Xjokkenmoddings 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 Imper. Acad. Vieiiua, ^March 29, 1862. Communicated by Count 
Marschall. 
t Proceedings Imper. Acad. Vienna, April 3, 1862. Communicated by Count 
Marschall. 
