192 TJk Anii'itnni GioJiKf/sf. September, IH'M 
all Other extinct life types available, and will furnish them to in- 
stitutions at not over one-fourth the cost of originals. 
Ameuican Association kor the Advancement of Science. Of the 
many papers read in the geological section during the late meeting at 
Washington, not all can be specially noticed. 
Dr. Foote, of Philadelphia, gave an accoiuit of the discover}' of dia- 
monds in a meteorite from Arizona. In slicing the meteorite something 
hard was struck that destroyed the corundum wheel, and was onlj' 
■cut with great trouble. On examination of the laj'ers a nest of small 
black diamonds was discovered, and the mineral recognized by its in- 
tense hardness. A very small and clear crystal was also found, but was 
lost during the operation. This, said Dr. Foote, was the first example of 
the occurrence of diamonds in an iron meteorite, though it had been 
twice reported from stony ones in Russia. 
Mr. Wm. Hallock related to the section the story of the deep boring 
now in progress at Wheeling. It was begun in the hope of finding gas 
•or oil, but when the depth of 4,r)00 feet had been reached Avithout any 
success, the projector determined to abandon it and an order was given 
to that effect. Prof. I. C. White, of Morgantown. W. Ya., hearing of this 
order and realizing the importance of the opportunity, set off immedi- 
ately for Wheeling, and obtained a countermand only just in time, as 
the contractor had already begun to draw the casing. He persuaded 
the owners to give up the well, which was entirely dry. for the purpose 
of scientific experiment. This they did and generously offered to con- 
tribute the amount needed to deepen the hole to 0,000 feet. The U. S. 
government then agreed to furnish a new^ cable, and as soon as this has 
been received the work will recommence. 
According to experiments alreadj^ made with the thermometer, appar- 
ently with all due precautions, the result is new and unexpected. A rate 
was obtained below the 100 foot plane of 1 in 90 feet, increasing down- 
ward till at the bottom it amounted to 1' in 60 feet. As this contradicts 
nearly all the data obtained elsewhere it is more probable that some 
local cause of error or some exceptional condition prevails at the well, 
at least in its upper part, for the lower figures do not differ much from 
those obtained elsewhere. 
Prof. Lester F. Ward read two valuable papers on the plant life of the 
Trias and the correlation of strata by vegetable fossils. He showed that 
our know'ledge of these organisms has been until latel}', and is indeed 
even now to a less degree, too imperfect to allow of their use in the cor- 
relation of strata, but maintained that as the gaps in fossil botany are 
filled they will become available for the purpose in the same way as are 
now the remains of animals. He illustrated his point by tables showing 
the distribution of plants in the richer floras, especially in the Carbonif- 
erous and Mesozoic. He further dwelt on the identity and dissimilai- 
ity of the fossil plants found in the American Triassic basins, and ex- 
hibited tables giving the number of species peculiar and common to 
each. In conclusion Prof. Ward pointed out a few of the conclusions 
that could be deduced from the facts given. 
