nites.

SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY NOTES.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.

AGELACRINITES BILLINGSII.

A NEW SPECIES.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF, BY E. J. CHAPMAN.

Our

Mr. W. M. Roger, an undergraduate of the University of Toronto, and one of our most esteemed students, lately submitted to us a collection of fossils obtained by him from the Trenton Limestone of Peterboro', Canada West. Amongst these, we discovered an undescribed species of the rare and interesting genus, AgelacriWe propose shortly to publish a complete description, with a figure, of this new species; but beg, in the meantime, to bestow upon it the above specific name, after the distinguished palæontologist of our Geological Survey, who has contributed so pre-eminently to our knowledge of the peculiar group of forms to which the genus Agelacrinites belongs, or to which it is closely related. specimen presents a flat, circular form, exactly half-an-inch in diameter. It has five straight, or nearly straight, rays, composed of a double series of interlocking or alternating plates, and terminating in well defined rounded points, about one line from the margin of the shell or test. In the centre of the disc where the mouth is usually thought to be situated, there are five comparatively large and somewhat rhombic plates, the first ray-plates, one being common to each two adjacent rays. In the space between two of the rays, and at a distance of about two lines from the centre of the test. there is a well-marked "anal-pyramid" (or "ovarian aperture ') surrounded, apparently, by ten plates: five being situated in alternate position within the other five, exactly as in Hall's Hemicystites parasitica (=Agelacrinites parasiticus). All the other portions of the inter-radia] areas, with the margin of the test, are covered by imbricating or partiallyoverlapping and irregularly disposed plates of various sizes. At the margin there are about three or four rows of very small and exceedingly numerous plates, narrow and pointed, and succeeded by larger plates, of which the greatest diameter (unlike that of the marginal plates) lies parallel to the circumference. These are again succeeded by somewhat smaller and more pointed plates. A. Billingsii differs most obviously from A. Dicksoni, the only other Canadian species yet recognised (if we allow the Edrioaster of Billings to be a thoroughly distinct genus), by the possession of straight in place of curved rays, and by its exceedingly numerous marginal plates. It agrees much more nearly with the Niagara limestone species, A. parasiticus (Hall's Hemicystites parasitica); but from this it is distinguished essentially by the width of its rays (and by the ray-plates) being largest in the centre of the disc, and by the rays terminating in well-defined rounded points. In Hall's species, the rays are quite narrow and close together at the centre, and they broaden outwards, and, to use Professor Hall's language," coalesce with the plates of the body;" or, in other words, are altogether undefined at their extremi ties. These characters are exactly the reverse of those which obtain in A. Billingsii. Besides which, in Hall's form there appears to be only a single row of small border plates, but that is probably an uncertain character. The other dis

tinctions, however, are amply sufficient to separate the two species. Finally, it should be mentioned, that, not wishing to add to the already too copious list of unnecessary synonyms, we have obtained the confirmatory opinion of Mr. Billings as to the distinctness of our species from his A. Dicksoni. When we wrote to Montreal, we did not think of the apparent resemblance of the new species to A. parasiticus, but we have no doubt Mr. Billings will agree with us also in placing the two apart. In the extended notice of our species, we propose to give a general analysis of the genus Ayelacrinites, with a comparative view of its structural relations and affinities; as, on these points, we have some new suggestions to offer.

NEW FOSSILS FROM THE COAL MEASURES OF NOVA SCOTIA.

The following abstract is from a paper by Professor J. W. Dawson, LL.D., of Montreal, read at a recent meeting (14th December, 1859) of the Geological Society of London :

On revisiting the South Joggins in the past summer, Dr. Dawson had the opportunity of examining the interior of another erect tree in the same bed which had afforded the fossil stump from which the remains of Dendrerpeton Acadianum and other terrestrial animals were obtained in 1851 by Sir C. Lyell and himself. This second trunk was pointed out to him by Mr. Boggs, the Superintendent of the Mine. It was about 15 inches in diameter, and was much more richly stored with animal remains than that previously met with. There were here numerous specimens of the land-shell found in the tree previously discovered in this bed,—several individuals of an articulated animal, probably a Myriapod,-portions of two skeletons of Dendrerpeton,-and seven small skeletons belonging to another Reptilian genus, and probably to three species.

The bottom of the trurk was floored with a thin layer of carbonized bark. On this was a bed of fragments of mineral charcoal (having Sigillaroid cell-structure), an inch thick, with a few Reptilian bones and a Sternbergia cast. Above this, the trunk was occupied, to a height of about 6 inches, with a hard black lamiuated material, consisting of fine sand and carbonized vegetable matter, cemented by carbonate of lime. In this occurred most of the animal remains, with coprolities, and with leaves of Noegger athia (Poacites), Carpolithes, and Calamites, also many small pieces of mineral charcoal showing the structures of Lepidodendron, Stigmaria, and the leaf-stalks of Ferns. The upper part of this carbonaceous mass alternated with fine grey sandstone, which filled the remainder of the trunk as far as seen. The author remarked that this tree, like other erect Sigillaria in this section, became hollow by decay, after having been more or less buried in sediment: but that, unlike most others, it remained hollow for some time in the soil of a forest, receiving small quantities of earthy and vegetable matter, falling into it, or washed by rains. In this state it was probably a place of residence for the snails and myriapods and a trap and tomb for the reptiles; though the presence of coprolitic matter would seem to show that in some instances at least the latter could exist for a time in their underground prison. The occurrence of so many skeletons, with a hundred or more specimens VOL. V.

of land snails and myriapods, in a cylinder only 15 inches in diameter proves that these creatures were by no means rare in the coal-forests; and the conditions of the tree with its air-breathing inhabitants imply that the Sigillarian forests were not so low and wet as we are apt to imagine.

The little land shell, specimens of which with the mouth entire have now occurred to the author, is named by him Pupa vetusta. Dr. Dawson has found entire shells of Physa heterostropha in the stomach of Menobranchus lateralis and hence he supposes that the Pupa may have been the food of the little reptiles the remains of which are associated with them.

Two examples of Spirorbis carbonarius also occurred; these may have been drifted into the hollow trunk whilst they were adherent to vegetable fragments, The Myriapod is named Xylobius Sigillaria, and regarded as being allied to Iulus.

The reptilian bones, scutes, and teeth referable to Dendrerpeton Acadianum bear out the supposition of its Labyrinthodont affinities. Those of the new genus, Hylonomus, established by Dr. Dawson on the other reptilian remains, indicate a type remote from Archegosaurus and Labyrinthodon, but in many respects approaching the Lacertians. The three species determined by the author are named by him H. Lyellii, H. aciedentatus, and H. Wymani.

ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF METEORITES-BY THE BARON VON REICHENBACH.

The following distribution of Meteoric Stones and Iron Masses, in accordance with their physical characters, is condensed from a long and interesting paper (Anornung und Eintheilung der Meteoriten: von Freihern von Reichenbach) in a late number of Poggendorff's Annalen.

Section I. Iron-free Meteorites of low specific gravity and light color, with

vitreous crust

First Group-Meteorites from:
Langres, G-3.55.

Bishopsville, G=3.11.

Jonsal (Transition member to Second Group), G=308.

Second Group-Meteorites from:
Juvenas, G=3.11.
Stannern, G=3.07.

Section II. Meteorites (almost iron-free) of a

Constantinople, G=317.

whitish or pale-blueish color in the mass, with disseminated pyrites; and, in general, a dull crest Mostly cavernous, and more or less brittle:

First Group-Dark granules absent, or very sparingly scattered through the

mass

A. Whitish Meteorites from:

Macerata, G.; Vouillé, G. 3.55; Nashville, G. 3.58; Bachmut, G. 3.42; Mauerkirchen, G. 3.45; Glasgow, G. 3.53; Kuleschofka, G. 3.49; Zaborzica, G. 3.40; Hartford, G. 3.58; Czartorya, G.; Milena, G.; Yorkshire, G. 3.61; Forsyth, G. 3.44; Politz, G. 3.37; Aumières, G.; Chandacapur, G. —; Kikina, G. -; Oesel, G.; Charkow, G. 3.49; Ekaterinoslaw, G. 3.77; Kakova; G. ; Garz, G. -; Apt, G. 3.48; Askoe, G. 3.66.

B. Blueish Meteorites from:

Slobodka, G. 3.47; Château-Renard, G. 354; Toulouse, G. 3.73; Girgenti, G. 3.76. Lissa, G. 3.50; Killeter, G.; Oahu, G. 3.39; Cereseto, G.-; Favars, G.

Second Group-Characterized by the presence of numerous enclosed globules, imparting to the mass a coarse-granular structure—

A. Transition-members to Group I. Meteorites from:

Sales, G. 4.47; Parma, G. 3.39.

Lucé, G. 3.47: Nanjemoy, G. 3.66; Clarac, G. 3.50; Benares, G. 3.36; Utrecht, G. 8.57; Little Piney (Mo., U.S.), G.; La Baffe, G. 3.66; Timochin, G. 3 60; Divina, G. 3.55; Horzowitz, G. 3.60; Richmond, G. 3.47; Pultown, G. 3.33.

C. Containing dark and light granules intermixed. Meteorites from: Siena, G. 3.39; Lontalax, G. 3.07; Nobleborough, G. 3.09; Bialystok, G. 3.17; Massing, G. 3.21.

Section III The Meteorites of this Section present a grey colour, from finely disseminated magnetic iron ore (Fe 0, Fe 203.)* They are more strongly co herent, and contain more iron, with less pyrites, than those of the preceding sections. Their specific gravity is also higher.

A. Light-grey Meteorites from:

Sigena, G. 3.63; Macao, G. 3.73; Charsonville, G. 3.71.

B. Meteorites of a somewhat darker grey colour, from:

Esnande, G.; Berlanguillas, G. 3.49.

C. Meteorites of a blueish-white or grey colour, with numerous well-defined spots or flecks, from:

Liponas, G. 3.66; Gütersloh, G. 3.54; Weston, G. 3.53; Okaninah, G.

-; Tip

perary, G. 3.64; Limerick, G. 3.65; L'Aigle, G. 3.43; Seres, G. 3.71; Madaras, G. 3.50; Bremervörde, G. 3.53; Agen, G. 3.61; Doroninsk, G. 3.63.

D. Meteorites of a dark-grey colour, from:

Lixna, G. 3.66; Cabarras, G. 3.63; Grünneberg, G. 372; Heredia, G.

-; Blausko, G. 3.70; Tabor, G. 3.65; Barbotan, G. 3.62; Wesseley, G. 3.70; Krasnoi-Ugol, G. 3.49; Kursk, G. 3.55; Tunga, G.; Ohaba, G. 3.11; Borkut, G. 3.24.

Section IV. Meteorites of a green colour. From:

Ensisheim, G. 3.48; Simbirsk, G. 3.54; Wenden, G. 3.70; Erxleben, G. 3.64. Section V. Dark-coloured brown or black Meteorites, containing carbonaceous matter. From:

Alais, G. 1.70; Capland, G. 2.69; Kaba, G.; Renazzo, G. 3.26. Section VI. Meteorites containing coarse brown patches not due to rust or oxida tion. From:

Chantonnay, G. 3.47; Mainz, G. 3.44.

⚫ These magnetic iron grains may very probably contain a portion of the magnesia found in all the Meteorites of this Section. The verification of this idea, after Rammelsberg's discovery of magnesia in some of the Vesuvian iron ores, would be of no little interest.-E. J. C.

Section VII. The Meteorites of this Section occupy a middle place between the stone and the iron meteorites. They contain a considerable amount of metallic

iron.

First Group-With intermixed Olivine of the finest colour. gravity=5.0 (?) From:

Atacama,
Bitburg,

Mean specifie

-; Siberia (the Pallas Meteorite), -; Saxony, -; Brahin, ;

Second Group-Mexican Meteorites, also containing Olivine, but with more metallic iron than the Meteorites of the first group. Mean specific gravity =6.5 (?) From:

Manji; Tejupilco; Xiquipilco; Bata; Ocatitlan; Istlahuacan. Section VIII. Iron Meteorites exhibiting "Widmannstet's Figures." From: Seeläsgen, G. 7.66; Bendego, G. 7.88; Bohumilitz, G. 7.65; Bruce, G. Union County, G. 7.07; Cosby, G. 7.26; Madoc, G. 7.85; Misteca, G. 7.88; Burlington, G. 7.72; Guildford, G. 7.67; Durango, G. 7.88; St. Rosa, G. 7.30; Buff, G. 7.10; Seneca, G. 7.34; Carthago, G.; Schwetz, G. 7.77; Texas, G. 7.82; Lockport, G. .-; Red River, G. 7-82; Petropawlowsk, G. 7.78; Caille, G. 7.64; Lenarto, G. 7.73; Sevier, G. ; Elbogen, G. 7.74; Ashville G. 7.90; Agram, G. 7.82; Löwenfluss, G. -; Tazewell, G. 7.30; Charlotte,

G.; Putnam, G. 7.69.

Section IX. Iron Meteorites which do not exhibit the definite crystal markings of those belonging to the last Section

First Group-Transition Meteorites to Section VIII. Crystal figures partially developed. Meteorites from:

Second Group-Containing minute points and needles of white iron. From: The Cape of Good Hope, G. 7.50; Rasgata, G. 7.55; Salt River, G. 6.83; Kamtschatka, G.-.

Third Group-Containing iron in irregular masses.

From:

Chester, G.; Arva, G. 6.81; Caille, G. 7.64.

Fourth Group-Masses of Meteoric Iron, with subordinate markings in straight lines. From:

Tucuman, G. 7.56; Senegal, G. 7.72; Claiborne, G. 6.82.

Fifth Group-Entirely destitute of form-markings on the etched and polished surface. Meteorites from:

Tarapaca, G. 6.50; Green County, G.; Hauptmannsdorf, G. 7.71; Smithland, G..

In addition to the paper from which the above classification is abridged, the Baron von Reichenbach has published in another number of Poggendorff's Annalen, an elaborate essay on the general composition of Meteoric masses. From this paper we extract the following tables-showing the mean composition, as calculated from various analyses, of stony and iron meteorites generally.

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