Chapter XVII: Part 1: , 8vo., New Haven, 1866. Memoirs of the Boston Society of Natural (2)

In the article on p. 259, Vol. III, of these Proceedings for
April 2d, 1866, I suggested a division of the Californian
Banded Helices into five subgenera, founded on the shells
alone. Since then, Mr. G. W. Tryon has published a synopsis of
all of them except _H. facta_ in his “Journal of Conchology,”
Vol. II, Part 4, for October, 1866, arranging them in the
“genera” _Aglaia_, _Arianta_ and _Polymita_, but differing
essentially from Albers and other authors in the species he
assigns to these groups. The types of these subgenera, however,
differ so much from our species that it is easy to separate
the shells by good subgeneric characters; and as they inhabit
respectively South America, Europe, and Cuba, it is very
probable that the animals differ still more. Until these have
been compared, we may well hesitate in referring ours to the
same groups, and must for the present be guided by the shells
alone.

In examining these, the most striking and almost universal
character we find is the presence of a dark band, generally
pale margined, on one or both sides, and situated at or close
to the breathing aperture in the animal’s mantle, apparently
having some physiological connection with this opening. It is
too uniform and general to be merely an ornamental marking,
such as we find in many species, especially the tropical, which
usually show no uniformity in the arrangement of their bands.

The next most constant characters are those derived from the
nature of the surface, whether hirsute, with revolving grooves,
smooth or variously sculptured, with wrinkles, zigzag or
oblique patterns.

Although colors alone are usually unreliable as subgeneric
characters, I am inclined to consider them as such in the
case of these and some allied species, from their apparent
connection with important organs. In fact the band, so
constant in this large series of species, takes precedence of
considerable variety of form, for the variations in outline,
umbilicus, and peristome, though great in the extremes, are
so gradually shaded and blended together in the whole series
that no well-defined generic divisions can be founded on them,
though useful for the minor grouping. The umbilicus especially
is variable even in specimens of the same species, those from
southern and arid regions being often nearly imperforate, and
more conical than others.

Several Mexican species belong to the same series, such as H.
REMONDII _Tryon_, H. GRISEOLA _Pfeiff_, and H. BERLANDIERIANA
_Moric._, the two last extending to Texas. Others, as H.
HUMBOLDTIANA _Val._, scarcely differ from the typical _Pomatia_
in form. I would, however, exclude the true _Hygromias_
associated with these by Tryon. I would also exclude the plain
or variegated species of Lower California, which approach
nearer to _Polymita_. It must be observed that many of our
species approach in form to others of allied groups, so that
if we overlook characters of color and surface, we will be
inclined to place in the same groups, Nos. 40 and 52, 24
and 32, 29 and 47, etc. Even in color Nos. 32 to 35 show an
approach to the group of Lower California, but seem more
closely allied to our series, having merely a geographical
affinity to the former. Size is of little value, even as a
specific character among the land shells, nearly all the
species furnishing specimens twice as large as others of the
same kind. The proportions of height to breadth are more
reliable, but not constant.

The subgenus or division characterized by the band is scarcely
distinguishable as a whole from the typical _Helix_, (type
_pomatia_) of Europe, though the extremes vary greatly,
simulating the three or more foreign genera to which various
authors have attached them.[32]

Our species are distinct enough among themselves when the true
specific characters here given are noted, though occasionally
hybrids undoubtedly occur. Dr. W. Newcomb has raised many
specimens in his garden in Oakland, combining the characters
of Nos. 24, 25, 29, 31, and 43, in such manner that it is
often impossible to determine which they belong to. Yet their
natural locations are usually so widely separated that only
occasionally can hybrids occur in a state of nature, and where
several do inhabit one locality, as 24, 27, 28, 46 do at Santa
Cruz, though nearly allied, intermediate forms are not found.
Some of the so-called species are, however, scarcely more than
hybrids or varieties, but the names are retained as indicating
their differences, though almost every species is divisible
into varieties as well marked or better. Thus the specimen
described on p. 260 of this volume (from Mount Diablo) seems to
be a hybrid between _mormonum_ and _ramentosa_, and we also
find specimens connecting the latter with 25, 26, and perhaps
others.

Occasional links also occur, connecting many others of the
banded species together.

A similar intermixing of species, where nearly allied, occurs
among our marine shells wherever two or more encroach on each
other’s limits; but the comparative rarity of the intermediate
forms seems to indicate hybridity rather than specific identity
of their allies.

It is probable that groups X and XI and XIII and XIV should be
united, as the distinctive characters between them are not of
first importance, and species of each are very closely similar
otherwise. Parallel columns may be formed, as indicated on p.
260, in which close resemblances in form, number of whorls,
etc., between species of the different groups may be shown,
and this may be extended so as to show analogous parallels
with those of other sub-families, or even families, but these
resemblances do not indicate affinity, though very likely to
mislead. A geographical arrangement of some groups is also
indicated, though imperfectly, as there are no impassable
limits between them. For special localities of many species,
see vol. III, pp. 62, 115, 180, 259, and II, 91, 103.[33]

The Darwinian theory of development might be very beautifully
illustrated by these banded snails, if we could find evidence
that their various forms had all originated from a common
stock (which might be the _ramentosa_, as that species now
occupies a nearly central locality). But though fossil forms
have been found differing considerably from their present
representatives, there are others apparently as old, which show
no such differences, and none of them show a tendency towards
any common original type. The one referred to by Professor
Whitney on p. 278, as found with the human skull of supposed
pliocene (?) age, does not differ perceptibly from specimens
of _mormonum_, now living near the locality. It retains even
its band of color, which is soon lost in specimens imbedded
near the surface, and this (if not preserved by its deep burial
or incrustation) is strong evidence against a great antiquity
of the skull. All other fossil Helicoids are considered
postpliocene, at least so far as known in this State, though
extinct species occur in Europe as far back as the Eocene.

The bandless species of the west coast slope, from lat. 33°
to 49°, are added to the synopsis, to show their relations
and analogies with the banded. The arrangement followed is
essentially that of Tryon, except the addition of some he has
omitted, or not yet published. The generic divisions are also
reduced to groups, as the true generic characters are not yet
settled. The lip is entirely wanting in the first family,
but in the bandless _Helicidæ_ of this coast, it becomes of
great importance for grouping of species, (49 to 55) of which
we have very few, while east of the Rocky Mountains there
are more than fifty. Group III is also largely developed on
the Atlantic slopes. The tendency now is to divide too much,
which is as unnatural as to unite all under genus HELIX, as
many still do. It is probable that the divisions here called
subfamilies, answer more nearly to the true genera than any
others, though they require modification, and the selection
of names applicable to them as genera, is a difficult task. To
undertake to distinguish genera by the lingual teeth, mucous
pores, or any other single character of the soft parts, is
less practicable than to do it by the shells alone, and little
if any more reliable. There may, however, be foreign shells
closely resembling ours in form, which must still be separated
on account of the animal.

I have omitted most of the compound terms used by authors to
describe the forms or shells, as they are not used with any
uniform system, and do not well define the differences between
the various species of the same group. The dimensions are
more reliable for separating allied forms. “Striæ” is also an
indefinite term, used by various authors for lines of growth,
revolving grooves or stripes of color, and is therefore never
used alone in this article.

It is remarkable that no _reversed_ species or variety has yet
been found west of the Rocky Mountains.

Order PULMONIFERA.

Mollusca with or without shells, breathing by lungs, inhabiting
the land, fresh or salt waters.

Subord. GEOPHILA.

Terrestrial Molluscs. Section with external rounded shells.

NOTE.—The * indicates the original measurement of authors, in
hundredths of an inch.

=A.= Shell with edge of mouth sharp.

Fam. _Helicellidæ_. Shell corneous, thin, polished,
translucent, sometimes with internal teeth.

Subfam. _Vitrininæ_. Shell very fragile, whorls 2 or 3, the
last greatly expanded, not covering the animal.

I Genus BINNEYA Cp. Ear-shaped, nearly flat, one-third the
length of animal, spire none, corneous.

=1 notabilis= _Cp._ Whorls 2, pale brown, first with 30
delicate revolving ribs, epidermis expanded; diam. *0.46, alt.
0.12 in.

II Genus VITRINA Drap. Depressed subglobose, last whorl very
large, swollen, imperforate, shining.

=2 Pfeifferi= _Newc._ Wh. 3, greenish white, suture finely
margined, columella arched, spire flattened, diam. *0.19, axis
0.09.

Subfam. _Helicellinæ_. Shell thin, translucent, whorls 4 to 6,
mouth moderate, surface smooth, pitted below or perforated.

III Group. HYALINA Feruss. Depressed globose, moderately
umbilicate, or pitted, vitreous, shining, whorls uniform.

=3 Breweri= _Newc._ Wh. 5, pale corneous, umbilicus large,
suture slightly channeled, aperture lunar; diam. *0.20, axis
0.10.

IV Group. MACROCYCLIS Beck. Discoid, widely umbilicate, growth
lines often coarse, last whorl usually deflexed.

=4 Newberryana= _W. G. Binn._ Wh. 6, reddish-brown, flattened,
mouth not deflexed, fine revolving striæ; diam. 1.43, axis
0.50.

=5 Vancouverensis= _Lea._ Wh. 5, yellowish-green, shining, very
slight revolving grooves; diam. 1.10 to *1.25, axis 0.40.

=6 sportella= _Gould._ Wh. 5, pale-greenish, growth lines
coarse, crossed by revolving grooves; diam. *0.50 to 0.70, axis
0.20 to 0.25.

=7 Voyana= _Newc._ Wh. 5, pale corneous, mouth much sinuated
above, body whorl crossed by a thick callus; diam. *0.50, axis
0.15 to 0.20.

Subfam. _Gastrodontinæ_. Generally depressed conic, and
lamellarly toothed inside, growth lines distinct, small.

V Group. CONULUS Fitz. minute, conoid, whorls 4 to 6, narrow,
aperture basal, transverse, perforate or not, without teeth.

=8 chersina= _Say._ Wh. 5-6, amber-yellow, imperforate, base
indurated, smooth, shining; diam. 0.10 to 0.12, axis, 0.08.

=9 chersinella= _Dall._ Wh. 4½ to 5, yellowish, narrowly
perforate, mouth oblique, growth ribs distinct; diam. *0.14,
axis 0.09.

Subfam. _Patulinæ_. Thickish, epidermis opaque, form discoidal
to subglobose, umbilicate, often striped or hirsute.

VI Group. PSEUDOHYALINA Morse. Minute, convex discoid, nearly
smooth, umbilicate, unicolor, whorls 3 to 5.

=10 milium= _Morse_. Wh. 3, greenish white, plano-convex,
translucent, minute revolving grooves; diam. 0.05, axis 0.02.
Nevada Co. and Angel Island, _Rowell_, Monterey, _Canfield_,
San Francisco and Santa Cruz, rare. No revolving grooves seen.

=11 minuscula= _Binn._ Wh. 4, whitish, nearly flat, mouth
sub-oval, whorls narrow, smooth, a parietal callus; diam. 0.09,
axis 0.01.

=12 conspecta= _Bland_. Wh. 4, dark corneous, obtuse convex,
smooth, mouth sub-circular, oblique; diam. 0.08 to 0.10, axis
0.04 to 0.05.

VII Group. PATULA _Held_. Size moderate, convex-discoid,
concave below, umbilicus showing all the whorls, unicolor.

=13 Hornii= _Gabb._ Wh. 4½, opaque, brown, _sparsely hirsute_,
spire flattened, umbilicus a little contracted; diam. *0.16,
axis 0.09.

=14 Whitneyi= _Newc._ Wh. 4, smoky-brown, smooth, nearly flat,
umbilicus plainly perspective; diam. *0.20, axis 0.10.

=15 Cronkhitei= _Newc._ Wh. 4, yellowish corneous, a little
convex, growth-ribs distinct, not plainly perspective; diam.
*0.20, axis 0.15.

=16 striatella= _Anth._ Wh. 3-4, pale corneous, depressed
convex, umbilicus large, shallow, growth-ribs faint; diam.
0.20, axis 0.15. The west slope specimens may be all of last
species.

=17 Durantii= _Newc._ Wh. 4, light corneous, flat above, nearly
smooth, umbilicus perspective, opaque; diam. *0.20, axis 0.07.

VIII Group. HELICODISCUS? Morse. Planorboid, whorls visible
below, several sets of internal teeth. (“POLYGYRA” Tryon, part.)

=18 polygyrella= _Bland_. Wh. 7 to 8, yellowish horn color, 3
teeth opposite mouth, 3 nearer mouth, 1 parietal; diam. *0.44,
axis 0.19.

IX Group. ANGUISPIRA Morse. Large, rather heavy, subturbinate,
strongly ribbed, grooved or striped, umbilicate.

=19 Idahoensis= _Newc._ Wh. 5, ashy corneous, very convex, 20
to 25 strong ribs on last whorl, fewer above; diam. *0.52, axis
0.45.

=20 Cooperii= _W. G. Binn._ Wh. 5 to 6, white, 1 or 2 brown
distant bands or mottlings, fine revolving grooves; diam. 0.58
to 0.98, axis 0.35 to 0.37.

[34] =21 solitaria= _Say._ Wh. 6, white to dark brown, 1 to 4
brown bands, or a var. (?) brown, with 1 pale band; diam. 1.00,
axis 0.80.

=22 strigosa= _Gould._ Wh. 5, ashy to brown, usually 5 to 8
banded below middle, angled or carinate, revolving grooves;
diam. 0.75 to 1.00, axis 0.28 to 0.50.

_N.B._ Nos. 13, 16, 18, and Group IX are found only east of
California.

B. Shell with a distinct thickened lip.

Fam. _Helicidæ_. Epidermis thickish, opaque, colored, lip
thickened, expanded, reflected or toothed. Large or moderate.

Genus HELIX _Linn_. Form globose—conic to depressed carinate;
umbilicus wide to very small or covered; lip thickened,
sometimes a little expanded, and rarely tuberculate below, or
continuous across body whorl. Color, (in our species) yellowish
brown to black, with a darker band around the periphery and
sutural region, generally margined on each side (at least when
young) by a pale one.

†Band triple in young and thin specimens, (wanting in
varieties. Bandless specimens of Nos. 24, 25, 27, 28, 33, have
been noticed.) Colors, uniform brown or olivaceous, sometimes
mottled. Obliquely reticulate grooved, or wrinkled-malleated.
From forests of oak, etc., in middle regions, or moderate
elevations southward.

X Group. (“ARIANTA” Albers, No. 23. “POLYMITA” Tryon, No. 24.)
Form resembling _H. pomatia_, sculpture in zigzag or divaricate
grooves. Subimperforate.

=23 Californiensis= _Lea._ Wh. 5, yellowish-olive, thin, band
pale-margined, sculpture faint, subglobose; diam. 0.75 to 0.88,
axis 0.56 to 0.62.

=24 redimita= _W. G. Binn._ Wh. (4½) 5½ to 6, reddish brown,
band single, umbil. small or none; (var. of 25?) diameter 0.80,
axis 0.48.

XI Group. (ARIANTA and AGLAIA part., auct.) Form much like
_Arianta arbustorum_, sculpture like last. Umbilicate.

=25 Nickliniana= _Lea._ Wh. 6 to 7, yellowish-brown, oblique
grooved, wrinkled or malleated, umbil. small; diam. 0.72 to
1.05, axis 0.42 to 0.80.

=26 Bridgesii= _Newc._ (Not of Tryon, 1866.) Wh. 6, grayish
corneous, thinner, band broader, umbil. wider than 25 (a
var.?); diam. *1.00, axis 0.73.

=27 arrosa= _Gld._ Wh. 5½ to 7, brown, mottled yellow, (vars.
yellow or olive, bandless) wrinkled malleate; diam. 1.10 to
*1.60, axis 0.59 to 0.90.

=28 exarata= _Pfeiff._ (Not of Weigm. = cælatura _Fer._) Wh.
6 to 7, yellow, or olive and brown mixed, strongly wrinkled,
faintly malleate; diam. 0.75 to 1.15, axis 0.40 to 0.62.

=29 ramentosa= _Gld._ Wh. 5½ to 6½, yellowish brown, thin,
oblique grooved, sometimes wrinkled; diam. 0.70 to 1.30, axis
0.57 to 0.90.

=30 reticulata= _Pfeiff._ “Wh. 5½, reddish brown, band single,
sculpture like 29,” (probably a var.); diam. *0.85, axis 0.47.

=31 tudiculata= _Binn._ Wh. 5 to 5½, brown or olive, band wide,
paler margined, malleate, body whorl swollen; diam. 0.90 to
1.40, axis 0.45 to 0.80.

XII Group. (“POLYMITA” Tryon, part, “ARIANTA” Albers. part.)
Sub-globose conic; axis, 0.6 to 0.8 diam.; band single,
obscure, or none, often mottled; smooth or with revolving
grooves, sub-imperforate. Usually paler below.

=32 Kellettii= _Forbes_. Wh. 5, reddish with pale mottling in
bands, faint revolving or oblique grooves; diam. 0.72 to 1.20,
axis 0.48 to 0.68.

=33 crebristriata= _Newc._ Wh. 5, dark corneous, band obscure
or none, lip sometimes continuous; diam. *0.92, axis 0.55 to
0.80.

=34 intercisa= _W. G. Binn_. Wh. 5, grayish or brown, band
obscure, deeply grooved, lip thick, continuous, tubercled; (=
33 var.?) diam. *0.84, axis 0.57. “_Hab._ probably San Miguel
I.” _Newcomb_, from worn specimens in his museum, not “Oregon.”

=35 Tryoni= _Newc._ Wh. 5½ to 6, bluish or mottled, pale below,
band faint, lower lip sometimes tubercled; diam. *0.80, axis
0.55.

=36 Carpenteri= _Newc._ Wh. 5½, brownish white, band faint,
fine revolving grooves, mouth subcircular; diam. *0.90, axis
0.64.

=37? Rowellii= _Newc._ “Wh. 4½, opaque white, no band, or
sculpture” (bleached?), mouth subcircular, umbilicate; diam.
*0.60, axis 0.40. (Unique specimen, and may be of the Mexican
group, like _lævis_, etc.)

“Arianta” Remondii _Tryon_, and “Galaxias” griseola and
Berlandieriana, of Mexico, seem to connect this group with the
next.

†† Band triple, colors strongly defined.

XIII Group. (AGLAIA _Alb._ part.) Generally lower than group
XII, and lip more expanded, umbilicus large or moderate, with
revolving grooves, or smooth.

‡ Colors light, often palest below. Inhabit dry or treeless
regions, from lat. 32° to 36°.

=38 facta= _Newc._ Wh. 5 to 5½, white, or brownish above, lip
yellow, umbil. nearly covered; diam. *0.42, axis 0.22.

=39 Gabbii= _Newc._ Wh. 5, band margins and grooves obsolete;
(unique, between 38 and 40;) diam. *0.40, axis 0.20.

=40 rufocincta= _Newc._ Wh. 5 to 6, pale brown, depressed,
umbil. moderate, lip broad; diam. 0.50 to 0.85, axis 0.22 to
0.45.

=41 Traskii= _Newc._ Wh. 6 to 6½, like last, but umbil. larger,
lip thinner, usually higher; diam. 0.90 to 1.00, axis 0.40 to
0.62.

=42 Ayresiana= _Newc._ Wh. 6 to 7, yellowish, paler below,
strongly grooved, spire elevated; diam. *0.80, axis 0.55.
“Santa Cruz I., Cal.” Newcomb coll.

‡‡ Colors dark, often paler above. Inhabit damp coniferous
forests, lat. 37° to 50°.

=43 Dupetithouarsii= _Desh._ Wh. 7 to 8, brown or olive, band
margins whitish, grooves obsolete, often submalleate; diam.
0.90 to *1.20, axis 0.54 to *0.60.

=44 fidelis= _Gray._ Wh. 6½ to 7, band and beneath black, band
margins and above red or yellow (a hybrid? var., black, and
becoming slightly angled); diam. 1.12 to 1.50, axis 0.60 to
0.90. “Oregonensis” _Lea_, may be = 44 jun.

XIV Group. (AGLAIA Albers, part.) Depressed, usually subangled,
hirsute or bristle marked, umbil. large.

=45 infumata= _Gld._ Chestnut to black, a single band sometimes
visible, angled, lip thin, bristles deciduous; (closely allied
to black var. of 44;) diam. 1.40 to *1.50, axis 0.54 to 0.60.

=46 sequoicola= _Cp._ Wh. 6½, dark brown, rounded, bristles
only in young, leaving marks; diam. *1.08 to 1.20, axis 0.50 to
0.54.

=47 Mormonum= _Pfeiff._ Wh. 6 to 6½, brown, depressed,
sometimes subangled, sometimes bristle marked; diam. 0.95 to
1.30, axis 0.50 to 0.54.

=48 Hillebrandi= _Newc._ Wh. 6, yellowish brown, bands hid by
persistent long bristles, subcarinate, lip broad; diam. 0.80 to
0.96, axis 0.35 to 0.40.

=C.= Bandless; lip more developed, reflected, often toothed at
the base.

Genus MESODON _Raf._ Lip broadly expanded, often 1-3 toothed,
or with parietal tooth only, sometimes none; corneous.

XV Group. (“ARIANTA.”) Toothless, umbilicus large, surface
coarsely wrinkled or granulate, lip broad, reflexed.

=49 Townsendiana= _Lea._ Wh. 5½, to 6, mixed yellow and brown,
body whorl coarsely wrinkled, fine revolving grooves; diam.
0.68 to 1.38, axis 0.35 to 0.55.[35]

=50 anachoreta= _W. G. Binn._ “Wh. 6, reddish ashen, granulated
and sparsely indented;” diam. *1.00, axis 0.54.

XVI Group. ODOTROPIS _Raf._ “Tooth upon columella, umbilicus
covered.” Lower lip tuberculate, and a parietal tooth.

=51 devia= _Gld._ Wh. 6, brown or olive, no sculpture except
distinct lines of growth; diam. 0.80, axis 0.45.

XVII Group. APLODON _Raf._ One parietal tooth, (or none)
perforate or imperforate, hirsute or smooth, lip simple.

=52 Columbiana= _Lea._ Wh. 5½ to 6, corneous brown, with or
without hairs, umbilicate; diam. 0.50 to 0.70, axis 0.25 to
0.35. The small imperforate and toothed form usually classed
with this species may better be considered a rounded var. of
_germana_, the subangled form of which is very rare.

=53 germana= _Gld._ “Wh. 5½, reddish corneous, hirsute,
subangled, one parietal tooth, imperforate;” diam. *0.30, axis
0.20.

XVIII Group. TRIODOPSIS _Raf._ “Umbil. large, a tooth on each
lip, and one parietal.” Sometimes hirsute, hairs deciduous.

=54 Mullani= _Bld._ Wh. 5½ to 6, brownish corneous, microscopic
spiral lines and tubercles; (hairy?) diameter *0.53, axis 0.29.

=55 loricata= _Gld._ Wh. 5½, brown or greenish, scale-like
wrinkles quincuncially arranged; diam. *0.25 to 0.35, axis
*0.10 to 0.20.

I am indebted to Dr. Newcomb and Mr. R. E. C. Stearns for
much assistance in preparing this paper. Though not offered
as a final arrangement of the species, it is hoped that this
synopsis may aid in their determination, and thus make a step
towards a correct systematizing of this difficult series.

There are four or five other subgenera among the 50 species
of this family in the Atlantic States, divided by Bland into
fifteen groups. He places Nos. 51, 54, and 53 in his 8th, 9th,
and 15th groups respectively.—(Ann. N. Y. Lyc. N. H. 1864.)

[32] Extreme specimens of _H. arrosa_ found by Mr. Gabb in
Mendocino County, Cal., its northern limit, and also one of
_H. redimita_ found in Alameda County by Mr. Holder, have
exactly the form of _H. pomatia_, and in each case have one
and a half whorls less than the types, indicating perhaps that
the usual forms found here are higher developed than the type
of the genus. (A genus _Pomatia_ has also been founded on this
type of the Linnæan genus _Helix_.)

_Aglaia_ was used by Escholtz, 1825, in Acalephæ, by Swainson,
1827, in Birds, and by Renier Philinidæ, before Albers adopted
it in this order!!

[33] See, also, the “Geographical Catalogue of West Coast
Mollusca,” published by the State Geological Survey, April,
1867.

[34] The west slope specimens may be all of species 20.

[35] A specimen figured by Mr. Tryon in the last number of the
“Journal” just received, (May, 1867), as “var. _minor_,” from
Idaho and Nebraska, seems to have an obscure band, which,
together with its form and want of wrinkles, indicate entire
distinctness from _Townsendiana_. The small form of the latter
found by me in Montana has no band, and seems close to Binney’s
_anachoreta_, of which supposed specimens from “Oregon” are
in Mr. Rowell’s collection. The Eastern _Mesodon clausa_,
_elevata_ and perhaps others, have been found banded
occasionally, but without the paler margins, and only
as an exception.

Prof. W. P. Blake read the following:

Origin of the Submerged Forests in the Columbia River, Oregon.

BY WM. P. BLAKE.

The submerged forests of fir trees, extending about twenty-five
miles along the Columbia River, above the Cascades, have long
excited the curiosity of travelers upon that stream. The trees
stand erect as they grew, but the tops have decayed and broken
off, leaving only those portions of the trees that have been
protected from the air by the covering of water. At extreme
high-water very few of these old trunks can be seen, but at
low-water they appear in great numbers, and project a few
inches or feet above the surface, and in some places they
extend far out into the stream.

These trees are not petrified, as is supposed by many. The
outer portions are much softened and partly decayed, but
towards the heart the wood is sound, and appears to be
identical in character with the fir which covers the mountains
around. Some cedar stumps are also found.

It is well known that fir trees will not grow below the
high-water mark of our streams, or where the roots would be
subject to overflows. Flooding the roots of the fir even for a
few days is sufficient to destroy its life. It is thus clear
that there has been a change in the level of the water since
the forests grew. Either the land has sunk or the water has
been raised: the latter appears to have been the fact.

The river at the Cascades, just below the submerged forests,
plunges over great masses of a hard volcanic conglomerate,
which forms the base of the cliffs on each side. This
conglomerate, which is 150 to 200 feet thick, rests upon a
stratum of sandy clay. This stratum is much softer than the
conglomerate, and yields more rapidly to the action of running
water. It may be seen when the water is low, at the foot of the
Cascades, with the hard conglomerate overhanging it in large
masses.

From all these facts, it appears that the river, in cutting
its way downwards through the Cascade Range, reached this soft
substratum, and for a long time flowed in a comparatively
unobstructed channel at a much lower level than now, thus
permitting the forests to grow along its banks. The extensive
undermining of the conglomerate caused it at length to fall
into the stream, and this, together with the sliding in of
the banks upon this soft foundation, I regard as forming the
obstruction which dammed the waters and caused the overflow of
the forests above.

The mountains rise on each side to a height of 2,500 or 3,000
feet, and are composed of nearly horizontal beds of lava. One
of these mountains on the right bank, or Washington Territory
side, presents vertical cliffs towards the Cascades, and these
cliffs have a _freshly broken_ appearance, as if a large part
of the mountain had _broken off_ at no very remote period. The
surface of the country between this cliff and the Cascades is
very much broken, and the railroad which traverses it, exposes
enormous masses of the conglomerate, piled confusedly together
as if they had been hurled down by a land-slide. Mr. Brazee,
the engineer of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, informs
me that the ground is in constant motion toward the river, and
it has necessitated the relaying of the track within the past
year. The same phenomena have been observed on the left bank,
or Oregon side. The bank is in constant motion there, and at
low-water a fine blue clay may be seen rising in the channel,
as if crowded out by the pressure of the rocks above. As there
has not been any perceptible change of level in the stream for
years past, we may conclude that the erosive action of the
current is fully equal to the encroachment of the banks.

The Indians of the Columbia have a tradition of a great
convulsion at the Cascades. They assert that the Chinook canoes
formerly ascended the river as far as a water-fall at the
Dalles, passing, at the Cascades, _under a bridge of rock_.
This bridge, or arch of rock, they say, fell in at the time of
a quarrel between the two mountains, Mt. Hood and St. Helen’s,
and at the same time the waterfall at the Dalles was destroyed,
so that salmon could ascend to the Upper Columbia. Before that
the fall was so high that salmon could not get up, and all the
upper country Indians were obliged to go to the Dalles for
their supply.

The general accuracy of this tradition seems highly probable.
The Dalles are now a succession of rapids and low falls, in a
narrow channel, between vertical walls of basaltic lava. There
is very little fall or current in the river below the Dalles to
the Cascades, and the elevation of the water by an obstruction
at the latter point would in all probability affect the height
of the lower fall at the Dalles.

The sandy substratum of the coarse conglomerate at the Cascades
is evidently an old river or beach deposit. It is accompanied
by layers of round water-worn rocks, and is filled with trunks
of trees lying prostrate. These trees are fossilized. Some
of them are half coal and half stone. The central portions
are usually coal-like or carbonized, and the outer parts
silicified. They vary in size, from a few inches to six feet
in diameter, and are nearly all flattened by pressure. This
stratum is evidently the source of the great quantities of
silicified wood which are found about the Cascades.

Mr. Stearns read the following note on a large specimen of _Orthagoriscus analis_, Ayres:

In passing through the Italian Fish Market in this City, in
the month of October, 1866, I noticed an unusually large
specimen of _Orthagoriscus analis_, commonly called “Sun Fish,”
described by Dr. Ayres on page 31 of Vol. II of the Academy
Proceedings. Curiosity led me to make a measurement, which I
find in my note-book as follows: length from snout to extreme
caudal point, 5 feet 8¼ inches; from tip of dorsal to tip of
anal fin, 7 feet 6 inches. I found the anal and dorsal fins to
be nearly the same length, measuring from the tip to junction
with body 23 inches. Weight, as stated by the fishermen, 632
pounds. It will be seen that the measurement from tip to tip of
fins as above, exceeds the length by 21¾ inches.

Mr. Stearns made the following remarks as to the true habitat of _Helix Ayresiana_, Newc.:

On page 103, Vol. II, of the Academy’s Proceedings, may be
found, under date of March 18th, 1861, the description by Dr.
W. Newcomb of a _Helix H. Ayresiana_, the habitat of which was,
as I learn from Dr. N., doubtfully assigned at that time to
“Northern Oregon.” Recently Dr. Newcomb has himself detected it
on Santa Cruz Island, off the Coast of California, near Santa
Barbara.

Professor Whitney exhibited a sample of the coal used at Salt Lake City, taken by Mr. Ives, chief of one of the Central Pacific Railroad surveying parties, from a wagon on its way from the mines to the city. The locality from which it was obtained is in Webber Cañon, and the geological age of the deposit is supposed to be cretaceous. The quality of the coal seems to be good; but nothing very definite could be communicated in regard to the extent or geological position of the bed.

Professor Whitney also exhibited a specimen of very pure rock salt, obtained from the Salt Mountain on the Muddy River, a branch of the Virgin, nearly a hundred miles south of Pahranagat, by Major S. S. Lyon, formerly of the Kentucky Geological Survey. Major Lyon being present, at the request of the President, gave an account of this interesting locality, which is one long known to explorers. He stated that the Salt Mountain lies on both sides of the Muddy River, and rises 400 feet above that stream. The locality is about thirty miles northeast of Colville, and twenty from the Colorado. Major Lyon also gave some facts in regard to the geology of the vicinity of Pahranagat, where he had been residing for some months past.

Professor Whitney presented two analyses of ores from the Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Nevada, made by Professor Domeyko, of Santiago, Chile, and communicated by Mr. Rémond, who is now residing in that place. They are as follows:

I. II.

Gold, 1.10 0.18
Silver, 15.90 8.90
Lead, 27.30 10.00
Zinc, 23.40 21.70
Iron, 2.80 12.00
Copper, 2.00 —
Antimony, 1.30 —
Sulphur, 18.70 26.90
Matrix, 7.50 20.32
------ ------
100.00 100.00

The name of the mine from which they were taken was not given.

Mr. Yale brought up the subject of the gold mines in Africa, supposed to be worked by the Emperor Napoleon III, and kept secret from the world in general. A discussion ensued, in the course of which Professor Whitney and Mr. Ashburner expressed their doubts as to the possibility of the locality of any extensive mining operations being long concealed, and their disbelief in the truth of newspaper statements to this effect.

REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 1ST, 1867.

Prof. W. P. Blake in the Chair.

Thirty-two members present.

Messrs. Samuel I. C. Swezey, J. D. Farwell, Frederick Madge, D. J. Littlefield, Archibald Cooper, Samuel Pillsbury, Arthur W. Saxe, M.D., and Bernhard Marks, were elected Resident Members.

Donations to the Cabinet: A case of Butterflies, from the East India Islands and Brazil, collected and presented by Mr. Lorquin; California Snow Plant, (_Sarcodes sanguinea_) by Dr. Kellogg.

Mr. Stearns presented the following papers:

Shells collected at Santa Barbara by W. Newcomb, M.D., in January, 1867.

BY ROBERT E. C. STEARNS.

1. Pholadidea penita, Conr.
2. —— ovoidea, Gould.
3. Saxicava pholadis, Linn.
4. Platyodon cancellatum, Conr.
5. Cryptomya Californica, Conr.
6. Schizothærus Nuttalli, Conr.
7. Neæra pectinata, Carp.
8. Clidiophora punctata, Conr.
9. Thracia curta, Conr.
10. Lyonsia Californica, Conr.
11. Mytilimeria Nuttalli, Conr.
12. Solen sicarius, Gould.
13. Solecurtus Californianus, Conr.
14. Machæra patula, Dixon.
15. Sanguinolaria Nuttalli, Conr.
16. Macoma secta, Conr.
17. —— yoldiformis, Carp.
18. —— nasuta, Conr.
19. —— inconspicua, Br. & Sby.
20. Mera modesta, Carp.
21. Tellina Bodegensis, Hds.
22. Cooperella scintillæformis, Carp.
23. Semele decisa, Conr.
24. —— rupium, Sby.
25. Cumingia Californica, Conr.
26. Donax Californicus, Conr.
27. Standella planulata, Conr.
28. Amiantis callosa, Conr.
29. Pachydesma crassatelloides, Conr.
30. Psephis tantilla, Gould.
31. Chione succincta, Val.
32. Tapes staminea, Conr.
33. Saxidomus aratus, Gould.
34. Rupellaria lamellifera, Conr.
35. Petricola carditoides, Conr.
36. Chama exogyra, Conr.
37. Cardium quadragenarium, Conr.
38. Lazaria subquadrata, Carp.
39. Lucina Californica, Conr.
40. Diplodonta orbella, Gould.
41. Kellia Laperousii, Desh.
42. Mytilus Californianus, Conr.
43. Modiola capax, Conr.
44. —— recta, Conr.
45. Adula falcata, Gould.
46. —— stylina, Carp.
47. Pecten latiauritus, Conr.
48. Janira dentata, Sby.
49. Hinnites giganteus, Gray.
50. Ostrea lurida var. rufoides, Gould.
51. —— —— var. expansa, Carp.
52. Bulla nebulosa, Gould.
53. Haminea virescens, Sby.
54. Tornatina cerealis, Gould.
55. Dentalium hexagonum, Sby.
56. Mopalia muscosa, Gould.
57. —— —— ?
58. Acanthopleura scabra, Rve.
59. Ischnochiton Magdalensis, Hds.
60. Nacella insessa, Hds.
61. —— depicta, Hds.
62. —— paleacea, Gould.
63. —— vernalis, Dall (mss.)
64. Acmæa patina, Esch.
65. —— persona, Esch.
66. —— scabra, Nutt, Rve.
67. —— spectrum, Nutt, Rve.
68. Lottia gigantea, Gray.
69. Scurria mitra, Esch.
70. Rowellia radiata, Cooper.
71. Clypidella bimaculata, Dall (mss.)
72. Fissurella volcano, Rve.
73. Glyphis aspera, Esch.
74. Lucapina crenulata, Sby.
75. Haliotis Cracherodii, Leach.
76. Phasianella compta, Gould.
77. —— pulloides, Carp.
78. Pomaulax undosus, Wood.
79. Trochiscus Norrisii, Sby.
80. Chlorostoma funebrale, A. Ad.
81. —— aureotinctum, Fbs.
82. Calliostoma canaliculatum, Mart.
83. —— costatum, Mart.
84. Crepidula lingulata, Gould.
85. —— excavata, Brod.
86. —— navicelloides, Nutt.
87. —— —— var. nummaria, Gould.
88. —— —— var. explanata, Gould.
89. Hipponyx cranioides, Carp.
90. —— tumens, Carp.
91. —— serratus, Carp.
92. Serpulorbis squamigerus, Carp.
93. Turritella Cooperi, Carp.
94. Cerithidea sacrata, Gould.
95. Bittium filosum, Gould.
96. Litorina planaxis, Nutt.
97. —— scutulata, Gould.
98. Lacuna variegata, Carp.
99. —— unifasciata, Carp.
100. —— solidula, Loven.
101. Rissoa acutelirata, Carp.
102. Luponia spadicea, Gray.
103. Trivia Californica, Gray.
104. —— Solandri, Gray.
105. Erato vitellina, Hds.
106. Surcula Carpenteriana, Gabb.
107. Drillia inermis, Hds.
108. —— torosa, Carp.
109. —— mœsta, Carp.
110. Conus Californicus, Hds.
111. Odostomia sp.
112. Chemnitzia torquata, Gould.
113. Scalaria Indianorum, Carp.
114. —— subcoronata, Carp.
115. Cerithiopsis assimilata, C. B. Ad.
116. Lunatia Lewisii, Gould.
117. Ranella Californica, Hds.
118. Mitra maura, Swains.
119. Volvarina varia, Sby.
120. Olivella biplicata, Sby.
121. Nassa fossata, Gould.
122. —— perpinguis, Hds.
123. —— mendica, Gould.
124. —— Cooperi, Fbs.
125. —— tegula, Rve.
126. Amycla carinata, Hds.
127. —— tuberosa, Carp.
128. Amphissa corrugata, Rve.
129. Purpura crispata, Esch.
130. —— triserialis, Blve.
131. —— saxicola, Val.
132. Monoceros engonatum, Conr.
133. Ocinebra interfossa, Carp.
134. Cerastoma Nuttalli, Conr.
135. Muricidea Barbarensis, Gabb.

Dr. Newcomb also visited Santa Cruz Island, and collected the
following species:

1. Waldheimia Grayi, Davidson.
2. Saxicava pholadis, Linn.
3. Semele decisa, Conr.
4. Acmæa scabra, Nutt.
5. Lottia gigantea, Gray.
6. Rowellia radiata, Cooper.
7. Haliotis Cracherodii, Leach.
8. —— corrugata, Gray.
9. Pomaulax undosus, Wood.
10. Trochiscus Norrisii, Sby.
11. Chlorostoma gallina, Fbs.
12. —— funebrale, A. Ad.
13. Chlorostoma aureotinctum, Fbs.
14. Trivia Californica, Gray.
15. Conus Californicus, Hds.
16. Amycla tuberosa, Carp.
17. Monoceros engonatum, Conr.
18. Cerastoma Nuttalli, Conr.
19. Muricidea incisus, Brod.
20. Trophon triangulatus, Carp.
21. Fusus ambustus, Gould.
22. Argonauta Argo, Linn.
23. Helix Ayresiana, Newc.

List of Shells collected at Purissima and Lobitas, California, October, 1866.

BY ROBERT E. C. STEARNS, CURATOR OF CONCHOLOGY, CAL. ACAD. NAT. SCIENCES.

“Purissima” and “Lobitas” are the names of two creeks situated
a few miles south of Spanish Town, in San Mateo County. Near
the points where these streams empty into the ocean are small
beaches and groups of flat rocks left bare at low tide,
limited, however, in extent, as the shore in the neighborhood
is for the most part exceedingly bold and precipitous, the
ocean at ordinary high water beating against the base of the
cliffs.

Dr. Newcomb and myself visited the localities at the period
above mentioned, and collected the following species from among
the drift or upon the rocks:

1. Waldheimia Grayi, Davidson.
2. Navea Newcombii, Tryon.
3. Zirphæa crispata, Linn.
4. Pholadidea penita, Conr.
5. —— ovoidea, Gould.
6. Netastomella Darwinii, Sby.
7. Parapholas Californica, Conr.
8. Saxicava pholadis, Linn.
9. Platyodon cancellatum, Conr.
10. Schizothærus Nuttalli, Conr.
11. Lyonsia Californica, Conr.
12. Mytilimeria Nuttalli, Conr.
13. Macoma inconspicua, Br. & Sby.
14. Standella falcata, Gld.
15. Tapes staminea, Conr.
16. —— ruderata, Desh.
17. Tapes diversa, Sby.
18. Rupellaria lamellifera, Conr.
19. Petricola carditoides, Conr.
20. Lazaria subquadrata, Cpr.
21. Kellia Laperousii, Desh.
22. Mytilus Californianus, Conr.
23. —— edulis, Linn.
24. Modiola fornicata, Gld.
25. Adula falcata, Gld.
26. —— stylina, Cpr.
27. Hinnites giganteus, Gray.
28. Placunanomia macroschisma, Desh.
29. Doris albopunctata, Cooper.
30. Cryptochiton Stelleri, Midd.
31. Katherina tunicata, Wood.
32. Tonicia lineata, Wood.
33. Mopalia muscosa, Gld.
34. —— Hindsii, Gray.
35. —— lignosa, Gld.
36. Acanthopleura scabra, Rve.
37. Nacella vernalis, Dall (mss.)
38. —— instabilis, Gld.
39. Acmæa patina, Esch.
40. —— pelta, Esch.
41. —— Asmi, Midd.
42. —— persona, Esch.
43. —— spectrum, Nutt.
44. Lottia gigantea, Gray.
45. Scurria mitra, Esch.
46. Glyphis aspera, Esch.
47. Clypidella callomarginata, Cpr.
48. —— bimaculata, Dall (mss.)
49. Haliotis Cracherodii, Leach.
50. —— rufescens, Swains.
51. Chlorostoma funebrale, A. Ad.
52. —— brunneum, Phil.
53. —— Pfeifferi, Phil.
54. Calliostoma canaliculatum, Mart.
55. —— costatum, Mart.
56. Margarita pupilla, Gould.
57. Crepidula adunca, Sby.
58. —— navicelloides, Nutt.
59. —— var. nummaria, Gld.
60. —— var. explanata, Gld.
61. Hipponyx cranioides, Cpr.
62. Litorina planaxis, Nutt.
63. —— scutulata, Gld.
64. Lacuna porrecta, Cpr.
65. —— unifasciata, Cpr.
66. Isapis obtusa, Cpr.
67. Erato vitellina, Hinds.
68. Drillia torosa, Cpr.
69. Scalaria Indianorum, Cpr.
70. —— subcoronata, Cpr.
71. Opalia borealis, Gld.
72. Velutina prolongata, Cpr.
73. Olivella biplicata, Sby.
74. —— intorta, Cpr.
75. Nassa fossata, Gld.
76. —— perpinguis, Hds. ?
77. —— mendica, Gld.
78. Amycla gausapata, Gld.
79. Amphissa corrugata, Rve.
80. Purpura crispata, Chem.
81. —— var. septentrionalis, Rve.
82. Purpura saxicola, var. ostrina, Gld.
83. Monoceros engonatum, Conr.
84. Ocinebra lurida, Midd.
85. —— var. aspera, Baird.
86. —— var. munda, Cpr.
87. —— interfossa, Cpr.
88. Cerostoma foliatum.
89. Octopus —— (n. s.?)

_Navea Newcombii_, alive in _Haliotis Cracherodii_. Nos. 4, 5,
6, 25, and 26 alive in soft shale between tide marks. _Doris
albopunctata_, two specimens alive on rocks near low water
mark. Of the Chitons, Nos. 31 and 36, particularly abundant;
of the others named several specimens obtained, also one or
two species undetermined. 41, common, alive, on _Chlorostoma
funebrale_. 45 and 46, several living specimens between tide
marks. 47 and 48, I think, are distinct species; suggest
_Lucapina_, but foramen nearly twice as large as in shells
of the latter of same size, differing also in sculpture and
weight of shell. 49, animal lives for a long time, and affixes
itself tenaciously to the rocks after the shell is removed. 63
and 65, together living on rocks near high-water mark, and on
eel grass in pools left by the tide. 89, perhaps young of Mr.
Gabb’s species _O. punctatus_; two living specimens, as yet
undetermined, probably a new species.

Professor Silliman read a paper “On Naphtha and Illuminating Oil from Heavy California Tar (Maltha), and on the probable Origin of Petroleum.” This paper is omitted by the Publication Committee, as it had already been published in the _American Journal of Science_ at the time it was read before the California Academy.

Prof. W. P. Blake read the following communications:

Note upon the Brown Coal Formation of Washington Territory and Oregon.

BY WM. P. BLAKE.

Openings recently made in the coal formations along the Cowlitz
River have shown the existence of several seams of brown
coal, ranging from two to seven feet in thickness. They are
separated by layers of sandstone, and are underlaid by a pebbly
conglomerate.

The seven-foot seam contains a few partings of clay about
six inches thick, but is chiefly a very compact coal, which
breaks out in large blocks with a conchoidal fracture. It is
very tough, and is not easily broken. It has the appearance of
cannel or splint coal. Exposure to the sun and air causes it to
shrink and crack.

It burns freely, giving a luminous flame, and a light smoke,
similar to that from wood. The ignited coals hold fire in a
remarkable manner, and with a strong draught or blast give an
intense heat. A single fragment, when ignited, will continue to
burn slowly to the center under an envelope of ash. A sun-dried
sample gave me 50.8 per cent. of volatile matter, chiefly gas.
The residue was a brilliant coke, the fragments of which were
slightly adherent, thus showing a tendency to cake. Trials
of the coal in quantity in open grates failed, however, to
show any caking qualities. Some portions of the coal expand
when burning and give a porous coke, which in many respects
resembles ordinary charcoal.

This deposit appears to be formed in great part of trunks of
exogenous trees. One trunk has been cut through that was over
four feet in thickness: a part of this was compact coal, and
another portion was in a half silicified state. Lines of annual
growth may be seen in some of the samples. This combustible
partakes of the characters of both coal and wood, and is in
fact a highly condensed wood, carbonized, without the loss of
its volatile portions.

Fossil plants are found in abundance in the adjoining sandy
beds. They are chiefly leaves of deciduous trees, but there are
some very distinct impressions of palms. This is significant of
a warmer climate.

The same formation of brown coal appears to extend along the
Columbia, back of St. Helen’s, where it is in close proximity
to beds of iron ore, and the coal may perhaps be used to great
advantage in the production of that metal.

Analysis of Mt. Diablo (California) Coal.

BY W. P. BLAKE.

A sample of Mt. Diablo coal, from the Pittsburg mine, was
analyzed by me in January last, with the following results:

Water 3.28
Bituminous substances 47.05
Fixed carbon 44.90
Ash 4.71

The sample was very pure, and apparently free from sulphur.
Color black. Fracture sub-conchoidal, giving brilliant shining
surfaces. It is very brittle, and is easily reduced to powder
in a mortar. Streak, dark brown.

This coal does not fuse so as to cake and make a compact
mass of coke. It is not therefore an economical coal for gas
production. It gives a long flame in burning; parts with
its gas rapidly and breaks up into small fragments, thus
necessitating the use of grate-bars with narrow openings. The
above analysis differs from those hitherto published, chiefly
in the amount of water and gas. Former analyses give from
thirteen to fourteen per cent. of water.

Mr. Hanks presented an analysis of the rock-salt collected by Major Lyon on the Muddy River, as mentioned in the proceedings of the last meeting.

On Saturday, April 6th, the Academy made a field excursion to Angel Island, about fifteen members participating in the meeting. Facilities were afforded for the excursion by Major James T. Hoyt and General John A. King; and to these gentlemen the thanks of the Academy were ordered to be returned by the Secretary.

REGULAR MEETING, APRIL 15TH, 1867.

Vice President Ransom in the Chair.

Thirty-three members present.

The collections made during the field meeting on Angel Island were exhibited and commented on.

Professor Silliman read the following paper:

Notice of a peculiar mode of the occurrence of Gold and Silver in the Foot-Hills of the Sierra Nevada, and especially at Whisky Hill, in Placer County, and Quail Hill, in Calaveras County, California.

BY B. SILLIMAN.

In the search for ores of copper which occurred in California
in what is now known as the “Copper Belt” of the Lower Sierras,
deposits of “Iron Rust,” as they were called by the miners,
were observed at numerous points far below the range of the
main gold belt of the Sierras. Several of these ochraceous
deposits had been previously “located” by prospecting miners
for gold, before there was any knowledge, or suspicion even,
of the existence of ores of copper in connection with them. It
was a matter of common observation that certain gulches, or
watercourses in the neighborhood of these rusty deposits, were
rich in placer gold, having been worked for gold from an early
date. The search for copper in this kind of deposit was not
commercially successful, although there were shipments of green
and blue carbonates of copper, red oxide and metallic copper,
to a limited extent from both the localities here referred to,
the metal from which was known to contain a notable value of
gold and silver, stated to be about fifty dollars to the ton
of ore. This search for copper has, however, opened up these
deposits so as to display their character in a conspicuous
manner.

The rocks appear to have been originally talcose and chloritic
schists, sometimes micaceous, inclosing masses of argillite,
and of quartz which appears to have been massive enough at
certain points to assume the character of a vein, and parallel
to the stratification which has the usual north-western strike
and easterly dip of the region. All this mass of material
which at Quail Hill is certainly three hundred feet wide, and
possibly twice that, and with a linear extent exceeding one
thousand feet, appears to have been very highly impregnated or
mineralized by sulphurets, chiefly of iron, with a portion of
copper, zinc and lead. The sulphurets have undergone almost
total decomposition throughout the entire mass, leaving soft
ochraceous deposits of a rusty red and yellow color, and
staining the rocks with brilliant colors, a peculiarity which
the miners have characterized by the name of “Calico rocks.”
This decomposition or oxidation of the sulphurets, has extended
to a point as low as atmospheric influences extend, or probably
to a point where water is permanently found, which at Quail
Hill is assumed to be about 170 feet below the outcrop of the
mass, or crest of the hill. Dykes of porphyry and of other
rocks, commonly called intrusive, are seen dividing these
great ore channels in a direction conformable to the line of
strike. But the decomposition which has affected other portions
of the ore channel, appears also to have changed them, for
they are found to be reduced completely to the condition of
kaolin and lithomarge, or kindred alterations of feldspathic
rocks. The outlines of the feldspar crystals are still easily
distinguished, although the mass of the dykes is completely
friable.

The zinc blende which is found in small quantities at Whisky
Hill, and the vitreous copper also to some extent, appear to
have escaped decomposition. The copper ores appear to have
been confined to a portion of the deposit, as is indicated
in the section exhibited, while the auriferous sulphuret of
iron has been co-extensive with the ore channel, the cubical
cavities left by the decay of its crystals being found in all
the outcrops both in the quartz and in the ‘calico rocks,’
resulting from the decomposition of feldspathic and talcose or
chloritic constituents.

Accompanying the entire mass of decomposition at both
localities, occur both gold and silver, disseminated with
remarkable uniformity in all parts of the orey ground. At
Whisky Hill, films of metallic silver are visible upon the
talcose masses stained green by malachite or chrysocolla; the
gold is rarely seen in situ, being mostly obscured by the very
rusty and highly-stained character of the associated materials.
But it is rare that on washing a small quantity of any of the
contents of these great deposits, gold is not found in angular
grains or small ragged masses, from the size of a few grains’
weight, to impalpable dust. Nuggets of several pennyweights
occur occasionally. This gold has evidently accompanied the
sulphurets and been left in its present position and condition
by their decomposition. There can be little doubt that the gold
of the gulches adjoining these deposits has been derived from
them. At Whisky Hill, the gulch gold ceases to be found as
soon as the limits of this deposit are passed, and the same is
true at Quail Hill. The occurrence of deposits of this nature
throughout the range of the foot-hills, seems to offer the best
solution which has suggested itself of the origin of the placer
gold which is found in situations so far removed from the
gold belt of the upper Sierras, and away from sources usually
recognized as those to which placer gold may be referred.

Experiments made by myself and by others on a considerable
scale, the details of which will appear elsewhere, show that
the amount of the precious metals disseminated in the average
mass of vein stuff and decomposed materials of every name at
Quail Hill, is considerably in excess of the general average
tenor of gold veins in California. The mean of my own trials
gave to the ton of 2,000 lbs. by assay:

Gold $35.14
Silver 15.08
------
$50.22

While from the working of carefully prepared averages in
considerable quantity by milling process, the tenor of the
precious metals was:

Gold $29.18
Silver 5.91
------
$35.09

The extremely friable condition of the entire mass of these
auriferous materials renders their extraction and treatment
easy and comparatively inexpensive.

At Whisky Hill, a mill of forty stamps has been set up which is
now running with satisfactory returns. The cost by contract of
delivery of the ores to the mill, being stated at forty cents
(40c.) per ton, the cost of mining and treatment in mill being
considerably less, it is said, than one dollar per ton, the
amount treated being five tons to each stamp.

The chemical results of the extensive decomposition of
metallic sulphids which has in former times occurred at
these localities, offer an interesting problem in chemical
geology. The sulphur has been removed chiefly as sulphuric
acid beyond doubt, which has combined with iron and copper to
form sulphates of these metals. These have for the most part
disappeared, being washed out by the atmospheric waters, and
have followed the drainage of the country. At Whisky Hill I
found the sulphate of iron, (Coquimbite) sulphate of copper,
(Cyanosite) and alum. The water of the shaft contains copper
enough to redden the iron tools. At Quail Hill considerable
masses of heavy spar are found, formed probably from the action
of soluble sulphates upon witherite. No gypsum was observed at
either locality.

The mineral species observed at Whisky Hill, are as follows:

Metallic Gold.
Metallic Copper.
Metallic Silver.
Red Copper.
Malachite (Green Carbonate of Copper).
Azurite (Blue Carbonate of Copper).
Chrysocolla (Silicate of Copper).
Cyanosite (Blue Vitriol).
Copper Glance (Vitreous Copper).
Zinc blende.
Galena.
Iron pyrites.
Alum.
Coquimbite.
Heavy Spar.
Hematite (chiefly the earthy varieties).
Kaolin.
Lithomarge and various aluminous and magnesian silicates
resulting from the decomposition of the chloritic and
talcose rocks.

The list of species is about the same for the deposit at Quail
Hill.

The line of division between the ore-bearing ground in these
great ore channels, and the country rock is quite distinctly
seen on both the eastern and western outcrop at Quail Hill, and
on the western at Whisky Hill. At the former place it is a dark
bluish porphyritic rock, probably metamorphic, of a sandstone
or silicious sediment. The outcroppings resemble those of many
quartz veins, and I find the moss-covered portions of this
quartzose matter full of cavities, resulting from the decay of
pyrites, and yielding, by assay, three to five dollars to the
ton in bullion.

From all the evidence presented, we seem justified in regarding
these remarkable metallic deposits as segregated veins, holding
a pretty uniform and high tenor of gold and silver, associated
with and derived from the decomposition of extended masses
of metallic sulphurets and quartzose matter, and carrying
at times, ores of copper, the commercial value of which is,
however, entirely subordinate to that of the precious metals
which are found to characterize these veins or ore channels.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 15th, 1867.

Mr. Falkenau read a communication “On the Spirit of the Age and its Influence in the Department of the Natural Sciences.”

Mr. Bolander exhibited specimens of the _Apocynum_ found in Round Valley, on moist land subject to overflow. The Indians make extensive use of it for fish-lines and other purposes. The specimens presented were collected by Mr. J. S. Silver, of Humboldt Valley, Nevada.

A field excursion of the Academy was made, on Saturday, April 20th, to the hills near the Twelve-Mile House, on the San José Railroad. By the courtesy of Richard P. Hammond, Esq., General Superintendent of the road, free passes to go and return were furnished to the members participating in this excursion.