Part 3 — Regular Meeting, April 1st, 1867.
Reading edition
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.