1884.] 
Analyses of Books. 
61 7 
Transactions of the New York Academy of Sciences. Vol. II, 
Nos. 1 to 13. 
0 ^ ober , 9 . 1882, a discussion took place on Mr. F. C. 
Whitehouse’s paper maintaining the artificial character of 
hingal s Cave. Considerable difference of opinion occurred, 
Piof. E. H. Day opposing the hypothesis of Mr. Whitehouse, 
and the President pointing out the absence of detritus on the 
shore, and noting the fadt that the approaches to the Staffa Caves 
aie over low flat ground, furrowed by canals leading up to their 
entrances, as if artificially excavated. 
On November 20 the Rev. H. C. Hovey delivered a very in- 
teresting lefture on “ Subterranean Scenery.” The ledfurer 
classified caves as volcanic, such as those of Cumana and Iceland ; 
marine, of which the Grotto Azuro, of Capri, and the caverns of 
Staffa are examples, and inland caves in non-volcanic districts, 
especially in limestone rocks. A particular description was 
given of the Luray Cave in Virginia. Such caves, — and the 
same rule applies to those of Castleton, Adelsbach, &c.— though 
sometimes ascribed to earthquakes, are really due to the chemical 
and mechanical adtion of water. “ Acidulated water cuts into 
the limestone, searching out the lines of weakness, until chan- 
nels are made leading down to some subterranean outlet. The 
agency of running streams carries on the work begun by water 
chaiged with carbonic acid. Sand and gravel borne in with these 
streams make of them powerful cutting-engines.” 
On November 27 Dr. J. S. Phene in a paper on the Mound- 
builders argued that they were contemporaneous with the ancient 
horse and with certain members of the elephant family. As to 
the camel the evidence is not conclusive. 
In a discussion on the physical conditions under which coal is 
formed Dr. Newberry stated that in passing through the coal- 
measures from below upwards differences in the flora were 
traced, but the types were largely interlocked by insensible 
changes. . The Sigillciyici. is abundant below, and as we pass 
upwards it decreases and disappears. 
On January 22, 1883, Prof. Thwing read a paper on the 
“ treatment of Sea-sickness by the Trance State,” induced, it 
would seem, by mesmerism. The author’s experiments confirm 
the theory of the late Dr. G. M. Beard that the concentration of 
attention in one direction induces an insensibility to other things 
more or less complete. & ’ 
At the meeting on February 5, 1883, occurred an incident 
which seems strange to Englishmen of the present day. A re- 
solution, namely, was passed that “ The New York Academy of 
Sciences endorse a petition for Congress to remove all duties on 
specimens of minerals and fossils, whether imported by dealers, 
VOL. VI. (THIRD SERIES). 2T 
