40 The American Geologist. January, i9or: 
ill the process of torsion, in the Orthoo-oniaoea for instance, 
that stage where the axis of growth has just become vertical 
upon the oro-anal axis (« = 90°), while the neighboring 
groups of the Prosogoniacea and Loxogoniacea each comprise 
an entire extent of torsion of 90°. This becomes also evident 
from the fact that while the Loxogoniacea are claimed to co- 
incide with most of the sinupalliate Dimyaria, under the Ortho- 
goniacea, it can be only said, that besides Pectunculus also 
Cardium shows in many cases a Schalenschiefe of 90°. The 
Orthogoniacea would, hence, appear as only a limitary case of 
the Loxogoniacea. By applying the mathematical divisions 
in their full sharpness, the system would, it seems, become too 
rigid for the use of the biologist and some groups perhaps 
would be represented only by a few species of several differ- 
ent genera. 
In the final chapter of this paper, which it is hoped will 
inject new life in the difficult study of the paleozoic pele- 
cypods, and will perhaps dissolve the "Palaeoconchae" just as 
the long esteemed class of the Tetracoralla has been dis- 
solved, paleontologists are cautioned in regard to the use of 
the terminology, for, assuming the actuality of the torsion, it 
would be absurd to continue, in Pecten for example, the terms 
anterior and posterior ears, or to designate the posterior mar- 
gin as ventral margin, as has been done hitherto. In such 
groups as the Prosogoniacea the danger is even that right and 
left valves may be confoiuided. 
NOTE ON THE WEST INDIAN ERUPTIONS OF 
1902. 
(No true Lateral Ciaters took part in the \'oIcanic Eruptions.) 
By Geo. Cakroi.i. Curtis. Boston 
The existence of lower active craters on the slopes of Pelee 
has been reported in connection with the recent eruptions,* but, 
after what up to the time of my departure, July 6th, had been 
the most complete field reconnoissance in St. Vincent and 
Martinique since the eruption, I am inclined to believe that no 
true lateral or parasitic lower craters of terrestrial origin have 
taken part in the eruption of 1902. 
* Angelo Hrilvkin. McClure's iVia^'.. Aug., 1902. 
Robert T. Hill. A'at. Geog. Mag., vol. viii, No. 7. 
