Editorial Comtticiit. 123 
on the same level; 1,280 years for the overflow into the Missis- 
sippi drainage (the artificial canal would reduce this estimate 
to 720 years) ; and 2,560 years for the general drainage of the 
lakes into the Mississippi. In 5,000 years, the whole river as 
far as Buffalo would be drained towards the south. 
In spite of taking the minimum rate of recession and the 
probable errors the closeness of these results satisfactorily 
confirms many of the calculations based upon Niagara as a 
geological chronometer. 
This paper, giving the principal results of investigations 
into the lake history, thus shows the writer to have been 
greatly afTected by the studies of his co-workers. Indeed all 
of the researches by the different observers have been very 
much dove-tailed, so that our present knowledge of the his- 
tory of the great lakes and Niagara falls is the result of the 
labors of many individuals. Besides the names of those 
already mentioned, we should add those of Shaler, Tarr, 
Wright, Russell, Upham, Kibbe, Lincoln, Brigham and Sco- 
vill, with the names of Hall and Lyell, too well known to need 
special mention. 
To complete the review mention should be made of the 
writings of Mr. F. B. Taylor, in connection with his important 
survey of the Nipissing outlet of the Algonquin basin, and of 
the dissected shore lines of the upper lakes; and of the im- 
portant investigation of Central New York by Prof. Fairchild. 
EDITORIAL COMMENT. 
A Case of Geological Parasitism. 
Notwithstanding the grand success, on the whole, of the 
Seventh International Congress of Geologists that convened 
at St. Petersburg last August, there were certain features 
which tended to interrupt considerably the general good feel- 
ing that otherwise prevailed during the series of most enjoya- 
ble meetings, and which gave rise to not a little adverse com- 
ment. It is not that the same tendencies did not exist at pre- 
vious sessions, but that at the last one they became so promi- 
