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&c., in August 1856; by Robert Moffat, Esq., F.R.G.S., Government Surveyor at the Cape.-5. A Coasting Voyage from Mombasa to the Pangani River: Visit to Sultan Kimwere: and Progress of the Expedition into the Interior; by Captains Richard F. Burton, commanding the East African Expedition, and J. H. Speke, F.R.G.S.-6. Explorations in the Desert East of the Haurán, and in the Ancient Land of Bashan; by Cyril C. Graham, Esq., F.R.G.S., &c.-7. Contributions to the Knowledge of New Guinea; by Dr. Salomon Müller,-8. On the supposed discovery, by Dr. E. K. Kane, U.S.N., of the North Coast of Greenland, and of an Open Polar Sea, &c., as described in the Arctic Explorations in the years 1853, 1354, 1855;' by Dr. Henry Rink, M.D., Inspector in Greenland for the Danish Government.-9. The Yang-tse-Keang, and the Hwang-Ho or Yellow River; by William Lockhart, Esq., F.G.R.S.10. Extracts from a Journal kept during a Reconnaissance Survey of the Southern Districts of the Provinces of Otago, New Zealand; by J. Turnbull Thomson, F.R.G.S., Chief Surveyor.-11. Observations relative to the Geographical Position of the West Coast of South America; by Carlos Moesta, Director of the National Observatory, Santiago de Chile, May 29, 1856.-12. Excursion made from Quito to the River Napo, January to May, 1857; by Dr. William Jameson.-13. Description of the State of San Salvador, Central America; communicated by John Power, Esq., F.R.G.S., of Panama.-14. On the Latitude and Longitude of some of the principal places in the Republic of Guatemala; by A. van de Gehuchte.-15. On the Fine Regions of the Trade Winds; by Thomas Hopkins, M.B.M.S., Vice-President of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.-16. Remarks upon the Amount of Light experienced in high Northern Latitudes during the absence of the Sun; by Captain Sherard Osborn, R.N., C.B., F.R.G.S., Officier Légion d'Honneur, &c.— 17. Notes on the River Amúr and the adjacent Districts; by MM. Peschurof, Permikin, Shenurin, Vasilief, Radde, Usoltzof, Pargachefshi, &c. Illustrations.-1 and 2. Map to illustrate the Route of the North Australian Expedition, and Mr. Wilson's Paper on the Physical Geography of N.W. Australia.-3 and 4. Map to illustrate Mr. Moffat's Journey from Colesberg to Steinkopf; and from Little Namaqualand Eastward, along the Orange River.-5. Map to illustrate the Progress of the East Africa Expedition.-6. Map to illustrate Mr. Cyril Graham's Explorations East of the Haurán, &c.-7. Map to illustrate Dr. Rink's Paper on Dr. Kane's Arctic Explorations.-8. Map to illustrate Mr. Thomson's Survey of Otago.-9. Map to illustrate Capt. Sherard Osborn's Paper on Light in the Arctic Regions.-10. Map to illustrate Notes on the River Amúr.

Yale College Library, March, 1860.

ART. XXIII.-On the Species of Calceola found in Tennessee: Calceola Americana; by Prof. J. M. SAFFORD.

FOR many years it has been known that a species of Calceola occurs in the marly and glade-forming limestones of Western Tennessee. This species has been considered to be identical with the European C. sandalina of Lamarck, an error (for such I hold it to be) which has contributed much to the confusion that has existed with reference to the age of the limestones mentioned. Individuals of the species are frequently found upon marly glades of Decatur, Perry, Wayne, and Hardin counties. The identity of the species with C. sandalina (and a few other determinations of the same kind) once taken for granted, it was an easy matter to designate the rocks of these glades "Devonian."

Since my attention has been called particularly to this species, I have regarded it as distinct, and now propose for it the name Calceola Americana.

In the first place, its different geological position would, at least, indicate a distinct species. It is without doubt an Upper Silurian fossil, and moreover belongs exclusively, so far as my observations have extended, to the Niagara Period. The grey marly limestones of the glades, although much alike lithologically, are generally easily separable, by their fossils, into two beds, the lower one representing, in part, the Niagara Period, and the other the Lower Helderberg. It is to the former of these that our Calceola belongs. Among its associates are Orthis elegantula, Platyostoma Niagarensis, Caryocrinus ornatus, Eucalyptocrinus decorus, &c. Halysites escharoides and Cladopora reticulata have been observed in a local coralline limestone resting upon the bed containing the Calceola.

In the second place, the characters which separate it from C. sandalina are well marked. In general form, it is much like the European species, but differs in the following particulars:†

1. In C. sandalina the central cardinal process or tooth of the large valve is divided longitudinally by a shallow linear groove, making the tooth apparently double; in all my large valves of C. Americana this tooth is not grooved, but, on the other hand, is rounded and smooth along its summit; it is moreover longer and larger than in the European species.

*The Niagara Period, as here used, is equivalent to the New York rocks from the Oneida Conglomerate to the Niagara Group inclusive.

In making these comparisons I have before me forty specimens of the American species and seven of the European. Of the first, one is an excellent specimen with both valves united, two are good specimens of the small valve, and the remainder are large valves. The small valves are seldom found. I have seen altogether four of them. Of my European specimens, one is entire with both valves, another is an excellent small valve, and the rest are large valves all in good condition.

2. In my specimens of C. Americana the rows of punctures, so conspicuous on the internal surfaces of C. sandalina, are not seen. 3. Within the largest valve of our species, in the older individuals, there is adjoining the hinge line, and on each side of the cardinal process, (but separated from the latter by a deep groove,) a prominent callosity. In very old specimens, these callosities nearly fill up the back portion of the cavity of the shell, and, at the same time, nearly obliterate the striæ or ridges which run forward from the hinge line. Most of the inner surface of the large valve has an irregular wavy appearance, indicating a vesicular structure, which, in fact, the mass of the valve has.

4. The small valve (the dorsal), so far as I have seen, has externally no proper cardinal area; its apex is not immediately over the hinge line, but is removed about one-fourth of the length of the valve towards the front, the cardinal edge being bevelled off from the apex to the hinge line. The lines of growth are prominent along this bevelled edge; so they are too on the cardinal area of the large valve.

5. The external surface of C. Americana is obscurely marked longitudinally in front by striæ, which, so far as they have been seen, are coarser and less numerous than in C. sandalina.

There are other points of difference which appear to be constant, but those given are sufficient to characterize the species. Upon a future occasion the fossil will be illustrated by the proper figures.

Lebanon, Tenn., Feb. 1, 1860.

ART. XXIV.-The Great Auroral Exhibition of August 28th to September 4th, 1859.-3D ARTICLE.

IN the two preceding numbers of this Journal* we have given observations of the Aurora of Aug. 28th to Sept. 4th, from numerous places in North America. We now continue our record of the phenomena, and intend in a subsequent number to present a summary of the observations made in other parts of the world. We are indebted to Mr. Benj. V. Marsh, of Philadelphia, for a considerable number of the following notices.

1. Observations at Montreal (lat. 45° 31'), by Dr. ARCHIBALD HALL.

August 28th about 8h 20m P. M. the sky was about seven tenths obscured by massive cumuli, when in the interval between them I observed streamers of a ruddy tint passing from the south towards the zenith. The wind was N.N.W. and blowing

* Vols. xxviii, p. 385; xxix, p. 92. SECOND SERIES, VOL. XXIX, No. 86.-MARCH, 1860.

rather stiffly. About 10 P. M. the streamers seemed to converge towards the zenith in all directions, and to possess a deep ruddy tint. There was a large cumulus cloud in the W.S.W. and from a clear space beneath it a streamer shot upwards and distinctly traversed the cloud, illuminating it vividly. The same phenomenon was witnessed by another observer at the other end of the city.

At 2h 10m A. M. Sept. 2d, a brilliant aurora was seen in the vacant space between masses of huge cumuli and lasted until 3h 30m A. M. The sky was at first of a bright coppery red tint, and the light emitted so great that it was possible to read moderately large print by it. This space became interspersed with streamers of a rich roseate hue stretching to the zenith. The manifestation was chiefly observed in the W.S.W.

Sept. 2, at 9h 40m P. M. we had another auroral display. The streamers were mostly white, springing from three well-defined arches, stretching between the N.E. and N.W. They flickered magnificently about 10h 20m P. M. in the zenith, where they formed a huge corona having a tent-like appearance. These displays have been the finest seen here for many years, and it is to be regretted that on the two first occasions, clouds should so far have concealed them from our view,

2. Observations at Montreal (lat. 45° 31'), by Prof. CHARLES

SMALLWOOD, LL.D.

Aug. 28th at 9 P. M. we had a splendid aurora extending over nearly the whole horizon with the exception of a small space in the south and S.W., varying in color from a pale yellow to deep orange and violet or crimson, and nearly as light as when the moon is at its full. The aurora was first noticed between 8h 30m and 9h P. M., and this appearance lasted, with modifications, till nearly sunrise.

On the following night, Aug. 29th, there was also a fine display, but not to be compared in brilliancy to that of the previ ous evening. The sky was on this occasion cloudless, and a few streamers were occasionally seen tinted with a pale violet color.

The most remarkable incident was the unusual amount of atmospheric electricity present. At 9 P. M., Aug. 28th, the electrometers indicated a maximum of 250 degrees in terms of Volta's electrometer No. 1, of a positive character (but almost constantly varying in intensity); an amount equalled only during the thunder storms of summer, and the heavy snow storms of winter. The amount during the following day and night indicated a maximum of ten degrees, which is however somewhat above the usual average.

The appearances would lead to the opinion that the clouds. might have been the medium of conducting the atmospheric

electricity to the earth, for the indications of the electrometers were such as are observed during the passage of clouds charged with electricity, and this phenomenon seems to have extended to the wires of the electro-magnetic telegraph.

The following day and night indicated a small increase on the usual amount of electricity, which may be owing to the continued presence of the aurora, or in some measure to the decrease in temperature.

Similar indications of the electrical state of the atmosphere during the aurora were never observed here, although its effect on the magnetic telegraph has been before witnessed.

3. Observations at St. Paschal (lat. 47° 40' N., long. 67° 40′ W.), communicated by Prof. C. SMALLWOOD.

It was about 10 P. M. Aug. 28th, that the aurora was first noticed here. It was a magnificent display which threw out streamers from the zenith all around the horizon, and the light was nearly that of the day. I believe it was visible at Lake St. John on the Saguenay, lat. 48° 8', long. 71° 9'.

4. Observations at Halifax (lat. 44° 39'), by Lieut. N. HOME, of the Royal Engineers.

Aug. 28th at 5 P. M., I remarked a long narrow belt of cloud from E. to W. having a peculiar orange-white appearance.

At 8 P. M. I observed this cloud (which in the interim appeared to be stationary) suddenly to become luminous, particu larly at its eastern extremity. This cloud was about 10° wide, and appeared to extend from horizon to horizon; no other clouds were visible.

Soon after 8 P. M. two arcs of light N. and S. appeared, that to the south being the brightest. Under both these arcs the heavens were dark; but observers were uncertain as to whether the darkness was cloud or not. No stars were seen below the arcs, although quite visible above them.

At 9 P. M. the appearance was as if these two arcs were a small circle of the sphere, dipping to the south at an angle (measured by sextant) of 15° to the horizon, and 12° above it. The corona being formed at a point (by sextant) 10° south of zenith. There was only one band or are of light, and that was continuous around the whole heavens. There were two remarkable patches, one due west, at an elevation of about 36°, having a red color; and the other east by north, at an elevation of 25°, having an orange color. These points were brightest during the whole display.

Two distinct sets of streamers appeared to be formed; one set from the arc of light, the other from the corona, which seemed to be constant or nearly so; as during the five hours I watched

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