Ptrsniial and /Sctt'ntijrc JVeics. 195 
Prof. Safford exhibited some bones of Megalonyx, lately found 
in Big Bone cave, Teun. These he believed to be complementary 
to those described many years ago from the same place, by the 
late Dr. Leidy. Some of these, as in the former case, retained 
portions of cartilage indicating no very ancient date. In the 
account of this animal recently given in the pages of the Geol- 
ogist, it was stated that the pelvis of Megalonyx was unknown. 
As Prof. Saflord's specimens showed the two iliac bones and a small 
part of one pubis the above statement is no longer true. 
Considerable discussion took place on the existence of the " Cincin- 
nati ice-dam," but little progress was made in settling this vexed ques- 
tion. In this connection we may notice another topic on which consid- 
erable difference of opinion was manifested, namely, the attitude of the 
continent during the Pleistocene era. The extreme party on one side 
advocated an elevation of 3,000 feet, and hinted that twice as much was 
possible, while the other party could see cause and evidence for no- 
changes of level so great. Testimony on this subject is coming gradu- 
ally to light, and the Pleistocene is assuming a more and more complex 
character and history from day to day. Some deep borings, for example, 
one at Rochester, N. Y., and one at New Portage, near Akron, were de- 
scribed, the former by Prof. Fairchikl, and the latter by Prof. Claypole. 
Mr. Van Hise presented a paper on the relations of the Algonkian and 
Archfean in the Northwest, and Capt. Shufeldt one on the avifauna of 
Oregon, giving an account of some very large fossil birds. 
Several other papers of considerable interest by various authors, con- 
cluded an interesting and useful, though not an eventful meeting. 
Geological Society of America. Following the Associatiou 
or rather imbedded in it came the meeting of the Geological 
Society of America. A new and large detachment of American 
geologists mustered to reinforce those previously present and 
work began again with new energy but in a slighth' dift'erent 
direction. Numerous foreign geologists also began to arrive for 
the Congress that was to meet in a day or two and great confusion 
of tongues prevailed in the halls and corridors. A very agreealjle 
feature of these gatherings is the opportunity which they ati'ord 
of seeing the faces and feeling the handgrasp of men with whom 
correspondence and community of employment have long made 
man}' familiar. 
A very fitting commencement of the proceedings was the read- 
ing of a memorial of the late president of the societ}'' bv his 
brother, Prof. N. H. Winchell. This presented to the members 
an excellent sketch of the life and works of one of the most emi- 
nent geologists of this country, who did much to popularize the 
science among teachers and in the general community. 
A very valuable and closely condensed account of the geology of S. 
America was presented by Dr. Gustaf Steinmann of the University of 
Freiburg, Germany. In it was brought out the fact that the well recog- 
nized Glossopteris flora of Australia, etc., also occurred in S. America, 
