vicinity, but from another locality in the Laurentian formation, Mr. John McMullin, one of the explorers of the Geological Survey had obtained specimens well worthy of attention. They consisted of parallel or apparently concentric layers resembling those of the coral Stromatocerium, except that they anastomoze at various parts, the layers consist of crystaline pyroxene, while the interstices are filled with crystalized carbonate of lime. These specimens had recalled to recollection others which had been obtained from Dr. Wilson of Perth some years ago, and had not then been regarded with sufficient attention. In these similar forms are composed of green serpentine, concretionary while the interstices are filled with white dolomite. If it be supposed that both are the result of mere unaided mineral arrangement, it would seem strange that identical forms should result from such different minerals in places so far apart. If the specimens had been obtained from the altered rocks of the Lower Silurian series, there would have been little hesitation in pronouncing them to be fossils. The resemblance of these forms to Stromatocerium from the Birdseye limestone, when the coral has been replaced by concretionary silica is very striking. In the pyroxenic specimens, the pyroxene and the carbonate of lime being both white, the forms although weathered into strong relief on the surface, are not perceptible in fresh fractures until the fragments are subjected to an acid, the application of which shows the structure running throughou thet mass. Several specimens of these supposed fossils were exhibited to the Section.

ART. XXIII.-Description of a new Genus of Brachiopoda, and on the Genus Cyrtodonta. By E. BILLINGS.

(From Report of Geological Survey, 1858 and '59, unpublished.)

Genus CAMERELLA, Billings.

Generic characters.-Family Rhynconellida; ventral valve, with a small triangular chamber beneath the beak, supported by a short mesial septum as in Pentamerus. Dorsal valve, with a single mesial septum and two short lamellæ for the support of the oral appendages, as in Rhynconella.

CAMERELLA VOLBORTHI, Billings.

Description.-Small, nearly globular; ventral valve, with a broad mesial sinus which deeply indents the opposite valve, but

becomes obsolete at about half the distance to the beak; a corresponding elevation on the dorsal valve. On each side of the mesial sinus and elevation there are three short plications; there also three on the elevation of the dorsal valve, and two in the sinus of the ventral valve; beak of ventral valve short, incurved at the point, but elevated above and not in contact with the umbo of the dorsal valve; the beak of the latter strongly incurved. Length, five lines; width, four lines and a half; depth of both valves, four lines.

Locality and formation.—Black River Limestone, Pauquette's Rapids.

CAMERELLA PANDERI, Billings.

Description. In this species some of the specimens are nearly circular, in others the length is one-fourth greater than the width; both valves evenly convex; a broad, obscure sinus in the front of the ventral valve, which extends one-fourth the distance to the beak; a corresponding elevation in the dorsal valve. The front of each valve is also marked with several very obscure indentations, of which the sinus has one or two, and the mesial elevation of the dorsal valve two or three. Beak of ventral valve short, incurved, but not in contact with the umbo of the other valve. Beak of dorsal valve strongly incurved. Length, four or five lines; width, equal to or a little less than the length.

Locality and formation.-Black River Limestone, Pauquette's Rapids.

CAMERELLA LONGIROSTRA, Billings.

Description. This little species has much the form of C. Panderi, except that the beak of the ventral valve is very much elongated and erect, or only slightly curved at the point. There are no plications in the front of the valves, but only a single smooth-rounded mesial fold and sinus. Length of ventral valve, four lines and a half, width three lines; length of dorsal valve, three lines and a half; length of beak of ventral valve, one line. These measurements refer to a single specimen, the only perfect one collected. It may be hereafter ascertained that the species is much longer.

Locality and formation.-Chazy, Mingan Islands. Collected by Sir W. E. Logan.

Genus CYRTODONTA, Billings.

In this genus, including its sub-genus Vanuxemia, the number of teeth is variable. There are from two to eight anterior, and from two to four posterior teeth. When I described the genus I figured several species with three anterior teeth, and stated that C. rugosa appeared to have four, while V. Bayfieldii was represented with seven. It would appear also that Professor Hall has observed a species with five, as he has stated in a recent publication that the genus has three, four or five anterior teeth. During the present year, Mr. Bell, of the Geological Survey, has collected many specimens, apparently of several species, which exhibited two, three, four, six and in one apparently eight anterior teeth. It is quite clear, therefore, that the number is variable, as stated by me in my description of the sub-genus. In consequence of these discoveries, the only distinctive character of the sub-genus Vanuxemia is the terminal position of the beaks, and it may be necessary to suppress it altogether.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Lower Carboniferous Coal-Measures of British America. A paper by Principal Dawson giving an account of the present state of knowledge respecting these interesting beds and their fossils, was read before the Geological Society of London, at its meeting of April 28th. The following is from Abstracts of Proceedings of the Society. "Deposits indicating the existence of the Coal-flora and its associated freshwater fauna at the beginning of the Carboniferous period, are well developed in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, with a clearness and fullness of detail capable of throwing much light on the dawn of the terrestrial conditions of the Coal-period, and on the relations of these lower beds to the true coal measures. This lower series comprises shales and sandstones (destitute of marine remains, but containing fossil plants, fishes, entomostraca worm-tracks, ripple and rain marks, sun cracks, reptilian footprints, and erect trees) and great overlying marine limestones and gypsums. These are distinct from the true coal-measures by their position, mineral character, and fossil remains. In the western part of Nova Scotia (Horton, Windsor, &c.) the true (or Upper and Middle) Coal-measures are not developed; and here the Lower Carboniferous marine deposits attain their greatest

thickness. The lower coal-measures (or Lower Carboniferous freshwater or estuarine deposits) have here a thickness of about 600 feet.. These beds are traceable as far as the Shubenacadie and Stewiacke Rivers. They outcrop also on the south side of the Cobequid Mountains, where the marine portion is very thin, owing perhaps to the fact of these mountains having been land in the coal-period.

Along the northern side of the Cobequid Range, the upper and middle coal-measures and the marine portion of the Lower Carboniferous series are of great thickness. The lower beds are absent here, though brought up on the northern side of the coaltrough of Cumberland, where in New Brunswick (Peticodiac River, &c.), they are remarkable for their highly bituminous composition, their well-preserved fish-remains, and the almost entire absence of plants. To the north, at the Bay of Chaleurs, the great calcareous conglomerate, with sandstone and shale, 2766 feet thick, described by Logan, and containing a few plant-remains, probably represent the Lower Coal-measures of Nova Scotia. In eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton the Middle Coal measures are found at Caribou Cove and elsewhere; the marine limestones and gypsums, and the underlying sandstones and shales, are seen at Plaister Cove; also at Right's River, and St. Mary's River.

In Nova Scotia these older coal-measures, as compared with the true coal-measures, are more calcareous, more rich in remains of fishes, and have fewer vegetable remains, and indications of terrestrial surfaces. They occur generally along the margins of the coal-areas, near their old shores; and, as might be expected under such circumstances, they are associated with or replaced by beds of conglomerate derived from the neighbouring highlands of Devonian or Silurian rocks. When the conglomerates are absent, alternations of sandstones with sandy and calcareous shales occur, with frequent changes in character of the organic remains. The general aspect being that of muddy estuarine deposits, accumulated very slowly, and discoloured by decaying organic substances. The supply of sediment, and the growth and preservation of vegetable matter, appear to have been generally on a smaller scale in this early carboniferous period than subsequently. In those districts where the true coal-measures are least developed the lower series is most important; showing that the physical and vital conditions of the Coal-measures originated as early as those of the Moun

tain-limestone; and that locally these conditions may have been contemporaneous throughout the whole period; but that in some localities the estuary and swamp deposits first formed were completely submerged and covered by oceanic deposits, whilst in others early marine beds were elevated and subjected to the conditions of gradual subsidence and vegetable growth indicated in the great coal-measures of the South Joggins, Pictou, and Sidney.

In Nova Scotia the Lower Coal-measures are characterized by a great preponderance of Lepidodendra (especially L. elegans) and Poacites, with few ferns or Sigillaria. The middle Coal-measures are rich in Sigillaria and Ferns, as well as Lepidodendra. The Upper Coal-measures especially abound in Conifers, Calamites, and Ferns. Palæoniscus, Gyrolepis or Acrolepis, Centrodus, Rhizodus, and Ctenacanthus are the chief fossil fishes of this Lower Carboniferous series. Unio-like shells are nearly the only remains of Molluscs.

Donations to the Library of the Natural History Society of Montreal. 1858 and 1859.

Translated Report of a recent Meeting of a Philosophical Society in Germany; by Mr. Gordon.

Description of New Fossils from Coal Measures of Missouri and Kansas; by T. Shumard and G. C. Swallow.

Pamphlet on Grape Culture in Missouri; by G. C. Swallow, Esq.

A set of Presidents' Anniversary Addresses, delivered before the Geological Society of London from 1846 to 1857 (the years 1847 and 1851 excepted); from Dr. Gibb, London.

Proceedings of the Essex (U. S.) Institute, Vol. II., Part I., 1856 to 1857; from the Institute.

Reply to the Statement of the Trustees of the Dudley University, U. S.; from Benjamin Aythorp Gould, Jr.

Relations des Jésuits; from the Government of Canada.

The Journal of Education; The Canada Official Gazette; Journals of Legislative Assembly; Medical Chronicle; The Statutes of Canada.

Donations to the Museum of the Natural History Society of Montreal. 1858 and 1859.

Large Egg; from Mr. Ewing.

Specimen of a Neuropterous Insect; by Charles Sharpley, Esq.

CANADIAN NAT.

5

VOL. IV. No. 4.