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bones and coprolites included — by the running water of violent inundations, 
the caverns being of Tertiary origin, the detritus being contemporary with the 
old alluvium of the Rhone, and the fauna indicated by the bones having been 
antecedent to the latter. 
2. "On the Petroleum-springs in Tsorth America." Bv Doctor A. Gesuer 
r.G.s. 
After some observations on the antiquity of the use of mmeral oil in North 
America and elsewhere, aud on the present condition of the oil ar.d gasspins 
aud the associated sulphur and brine sprmgs in the United States, the author 
stated that 50,000 gallons of mineral oil are daily raised for home use aud for 
exportation. The oil region comprises parts of Lower and Upper Canada 
Oiiio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, New 
Mexico, aud California. It reaches from the 05th to the 1:28th degree of long. 
W. of Greenwich, and there are outlying tracts besides. The oil is said to 
be derived from Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous rocks. In some cases 
the oil may liave originated during the slovv" and gradual passage of wood into 
coal, and in its final transformation into anthracite aud graphite— the hydrogen 
and some carbon and oxygen being disengaged, probably forming hydrocarbone 
including the oils. In otTier cases, animal matter may have been the source of 
hydrocarbons. Other native asphalts and petroleums were leferred to by the 
autlior, who concluded by observing that these products were most probably 
beiug contimuiUy produced by slow chemical changes in fossiliferous rocks. 
3. " Notice of the Discovery of some additional Land Animals in the 
Coal-measures of the Soutli J oggins. Nova Scotia." By Dr. JAV. Dawson, F.G.S. 
Two additional fossil stumps of trees have been examined by the author 
from the same group of the Coal-measures as that which lias already afforded 
lleptilian, Molluscan, and Myriapodal specimens. These trees stand on the six- 
inch coal in Group XV. One {SirjiUaria Brownii) has yielded indications of 
six skeletons of Dendrcrpetou Acadiauv.m (one probably perfect), a jaw of a 
new species, two skeletons of lli/lonomiis Li/eUii, one of //. Wijmaiii'i, a number 
of specimens of Fupa Ketusta and Xolobins SigillarUe, and some remnants of 
insects (in coprolites). In a lower bed (1217 feet beneath, — in Group VIII.), 
a Stigmarian under-clay, seven feet tliick, the Pnpa was found abundantly in a 
thickness of two inches — with fragments of Reptilian bones. Tlie coal-seams 
between the trees and this bed indicate that this P/qia must have existed 
during the growth and burial of at least twenty forests. 
4. " On a Volcanic Phenomenon observed at Manilla, Philippine Isles." By 
J. G. Veitch, Esq. In a letter to Dr. J. D. Hooker, P.G.S. 
On the 1st of May, 1861, the River Passig, at Manilla, from fifteen to 
eighteen feet deep, was disturbed by a violent ebullition from six to ten a.m., 
for a distance extending to a quarter of a mile. Its temperature, here was 100 
deg. to 105 deg. Palir. (elsewliere SO deg.) A bank of fetid mud was thrown 
up several feet above the water, and had a temperature of 60 deg. to 65 deg. 
The Chairman remarked tliat a bank of mud, 30 feet high, and more than a 
mile long, had lately been thrown up in the southern portion of the Caspian. 
He also further stated that he had received a letter from J. G. Medlicott, Esq., 
of the Indian Geological Survey, announcing that a scientific expedition had 
been set on foot by tlie Government of India for the exploration of the great 
mountains of Central Asia. Tlie expedition is to consist of tivc men of science, 
aud Mr. Medlicott is to be the geologist. They will assemble early in the new 
vear at Almorah, traverse tlie Himalaya and Karelian Chains, and, proceeding 
into Tartary, they will explore the Great Thian-Chan, then passing eastwards, 
they are to return to Ilindostan by the Ganges or the Brahmaputra River. 
The explorers arc anxious to receive any suggestions from the Members of the 
Scientific Societies of London. 
