164 
THE GEl)LOGlST. 
In speaking, in a former article,* of the artificial formation of coal, 
■we gave the names of some pliilosophers wiio had realized to a certain 
extent the problem in question before M. Barhouiiler laid the results 
of his experiments before the public. I regret to say that I find the 
name of M. Beudant was forgotten, not only in my article, but also in 
M. Barhouiiler s paper. I believe that, if Beudant were now living, 
he would be able to affirm that the results obtained by M. Barhoiiiller 
had been already realized, or nearly so, by himself; for he says, in his 
MineraJoriii' (p. 210 of the Edit, of 1844), " It results from various 
experiments which we have commenced, but which certain uuavoidable 
circumstances have not permitted us to terminate, that, when vege- 
tables are submitted to temperatures ranging between 180° and 200° 
(centigrade), and under a proper degree of pressure, they are converted 
into black substances in every respect similar to lignite, coal, and 
bitumen." 
P.S. I ought to have mentioned in my last article, in I'espect to the 
statements of the submarine volcano, near Leghorn, that M. Serievier, 
the Frencii Consul at Leghorn, was misinformed, and had sent an 
erroneous statement to the Academy of Sciences at Paris. 
Note on the Stagonolepis of Elgin, by Sir R. I. Murchison. 
We have received a communication from Sir Roderick Murchison 
relative to owv Note (p. 124) on Stagonolepis, in which Sir Roderick 
reiterates his conviction of the correctness of his statemciit that the rock 
in which those remains were foimd is of "Old Red Sandstone" age. 
He says, " Sedgwick, Malcolmson, Robertson, Anderson, Duff, Hugh 
Miller, and Gordon, as well as himself, have called it ' Old Red.' 
Certain geological theorists who have not visited the district, and who 
judge or opine certainly from the character of the beast, still throw 
doubt upon the decision of stratigraphical observers. The note 
ought to have stated, that, despite the testimony of those who have 
explored the district, and class the sandstone of Elgin as ' Old Red,' 
some geologists, who are guided by palaeontology only, are so much 
startled at the discovery of a Reptilian of this high order in such 
ancient rocks, that they have thrown doubts upon the true age of the 
deposit, and suppose it may prove to be of Oolitic date. 
" This would be fair, and ought to be stated in the next number. It 
is barely possible, but still possible, that I may be wrong, but the note 
as it stands is not correct. This is intended for the Editor, with 
whose work in other respects I am very much gratified." — R. 1. 
Murchison. 
* The GEOLofiisT, vol. i. p. 2( 2. 
