of dead animal and vegetable matter at the bottom of the ocean, which, as the coast rose, had been so lifted as to appear upon the crests of the islands formed, and from the chemical change which it had undergone during its submergence, and thereafter, had become the substance known as guano. If, however, such a collection of organic remains were acted upon by pressure and heat derived from volcanic sources at the time of, or previous to, its upheaval, the result would be a removal of most of the organic material, and its conversion into Hydro-carbons, such as are found in the Bitumen, while the inorganic portions would remain agglomerated together in the form of a more or less porous shale, mainly made up of the siliceous lorica of such organisms as were common in the waters of the sea in which it was formed.

He pointed out the fact, that the valuable deposits of guano which are found upon the Pacific coast of South America, are rapidly disappearing, and before very long it will become necessary to look in a new direction for a supply of this now indispensable material. He was convinced that the sea-bottom would hereafter be the storehouse from which such a want will be supplied. He had, in this connection, been greatly pleased to meet with one account, written by a gentleman who had spent some time at the Chincha Islands, connected with the guano trade, and who had a record of an island which had risen from the bottom of the sea in that locality, during one of the volcanic disturbances so common there, upon the summit of which was found guano. He also called attention to the fact, that although it served very well the purposes of a fertilizer, yet the accumulation of recent bird droppings of that coast, as well as of our own and of the . European, is not guano, and in South America is not known under the same name, but has a peculiar appellation applied to it by the inhabitants.

It was his intention to follow up these investigations as fully as lay in his power, and he called upon scientific observers and collectors, to assist him by means of specimens of guanos, sea-bottoms, algæ, anchor muds, and similar material, as the vast scientific and commercial importance of the subject warranted him, he considered, in so doing.

GEORGE W. FAHNESTOCK.

Our acquaintance with Mr. F. commenced last summer, when he spent a day in Salem, visiting the several objects of interest. His pleasing manners, gentlemanly address, and deep interest in institutions for general culture, made a very favorable impression, and resulted in a very pleasant and profitable correspondence and inter

change. At that time speaking of his collection of pamphlets, he remarked that he did not know for what purpose he was making this collection, but presumed that it would ultimately be placed in some public institution. Little did he know how soon an awful catastrophe awaited him. He was a passenger on board the steamboat United States, bound from Cincinnati to Louisville, when she collided with the steamboat America, near the hour of midnight, on the 4th of December, 1868, about midway between the two above named places, and was among the victims of that terrible disaster.

Mr. F., son of B. A Fahnestock, was born in Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., in the year 1823; and received a liberal education at Washington College, Pa. After graduation he continued his studies, and in early youth acquired a knowledge of many branches of Natural Science, particularly of mineralogy and botany. Notwithstanding his connection with a very extensive drug business in Philadelphia, he continued his studies with unabated zeal and great success. While possessing a deservedly high reputation as a successful man of business, he acquired a still wider reputation as a devotee to the natural sciences, and an antiquarian.

His collection of rare old books and pamphlets was very large and valuable. He seemed to take pleasure in exciting an interest in similar pursuits in the minds of others, and in aiding them. Especially did he do this for the various historical societies of the country. With many of the latter he was brought into connection through his gifts or exchanges. The friends which he made in this way will learn of his melancholy end with deep regret. To the Pennsylvania Historical Society he bequeathed all his present collection of pamphlets, numbering some 70,000. Many of these are very rare and will be of great value in throwing light upon obscure matters of history.

He was a sincere, humble and modest christian, and was attached to the Presbyterian church. He was in full sympathy with the benevolent enterprises of the day, and sustained them liberally with his means. He was blessed with wealth, and his great desire was to use his means in doing good. Without doubt, if his life had been spared, he would have continued steadfast in this purpose, and employed his large fortune, present and prospective, in promoting the glory of God on earth.

The death of such a man must-cut off as he was in the meridian of life - be regarded as a loss to the community and to the church. He has, however, embalmed his memory in the hearts of a wide circle of friends, and shed a lustre upon his name that will not soon fade away.

For many of the facts contained in this notice, we are indebted to an article in the Reformed Church Messenger for Wednesday, December 23, 1868.

JOHN CASSIN.*

During the past three years American Ornithology has lost from its ranks, three of its most distinguished patrons and votaries, who have died in the very prime of their lives, and in the midst of their active usefulness. Thomas B. Wilson, M. D., of Philadelphia, whose munificence not only enriched the Museum of the Academy with the renowned Massen collection of birds, but added to it by constant contributions, until it became the largest in the world, and accompanied these princely gifts by one even more valuable, the most perfect ornithological library anywhere to be found. Henry Bryant, M. D., of Boston, to whom the Natural History Society of that city is indebted for an ornithological collection only second in numbers to that of Philadelphia, an active, enthusiastic student alike in the closet and the field; and now John Cassin, of Philadelphia, who, more than any other writer during the last quarter of a century has contributed, by his investigations and his publications, to advance and increase our knowledge, both of American and Foreign Ornithology. He died in Philadelphia on the 10th of January, aged fifty-six years and four months.

Mr. Cassin was born in Chester, Pa., in 1813, and became a citizen of Philadelphia in 1834. During the thirty-four years he has resided in that city, he has been an active member of the Academy of Natural Science, and no one has been more constant or more fruitful, both in his studies and in his contributions to his favorite science. Besides some sixty papers published in the Journal, or in the Proceedings of that Society, all of them of first-class importance, he has, from time to time, given to the world more elaborate publications. In 1856 he published an octavo volume, giving illustrations and descriptions of fifty species of birds unknown to Audubon. The ornithology of Wilkes' expedition was committed, for revision, to Mr. Cassin's charge, and by him published in a most creditable manner. The ornithology of the expedition to Japan, the ornithology of Lieut. Gilliss' expedition to Chili, and the rapaces and grallatores in the ornithology of the Pacific Railroad Explorations were also written by Mr. Cassin.

In 1846, about twelve years after his first residence in Philadelphia, Dr. Wilson commenced his noble contributions to the Museum and to the library of the Academy of that city. The result, "was a collection of twenty-five thousand specimens of birds, and a library containing," says Mr. Cassin, "very nearly every book relating to this branch of natural science." With such unequalled opportunities, a man of Mr. Cassin's rare application, devotion and zeal, could not but become a complete master of his science. No one on this continent

*Communicated by Thomas M. Brewer, M. D., of Boston.

equalled him in his familiarity with the old world forms, and his death leaves our country with no one to fill the void thus created in this field.

In American ornithology, in the forms of southern, central and insular America, Prof. Baird of Washington, and Mr. George N. Lawrence of New York, were Mr. Cassin's co-laborers, and those fields are still ably represented. With the types of the other hemisphere Mr. Cassin was as familiar as with those of our own, and he has contributed largely to their elucidation and description.

In the death of Mr. Cassin, the world of Science sustains a double loss, not only that of the gifted naturalist, but also the appreciative and intelligent head of an important engraving establishment, where scientific publications found in him invaluable assistance.

In the private relations of life he was upright, cordial and sincere, firm in his friendship, kind and courteous in his dealings, and the open and avowed opponent of all that was base or unjust. He never shrank from the avowal of his opinions, or from maintaining them when assailed, yet never engaged in personal controversy.

It was the desire of his heart that "Naturalists of all climes should work out their mission in harmony and fellowship,” and to no one more than Mr. Cassin himself, belongs the high encomium he bestowed upon Gustav Hartlaub of Bremen, "would that all like him cultivated and understood, as well as science, kindness, friendship and justice."

ORDER OF MEETINGS.

Regular meeting held January 4th, the President in the chair. Records read. Donations to the Cabinets and the Library announced. Communications presented by Mr. Jonathan Tucker, concerning early voyages beyond the Cape of Good Hope, vide page 3. Also concerning the Cannon at the North Bridge, Salem, 1775, vide page 10. Narrative by James A. McNiel, of life and experiences in Nicaragua, vide page 7. Candidates for election as Corresponding Members, were announced.

Regular meeting held January 18th, the President in the chair.

Records read and correspondence announced. Donations to the Cabinets and the Library announced.

The President announced the death of George W. Fahnestock, vide page 13. Also the death of John Cassin, vide page 15. F. W. Putnam eulogized Mr. Cassin.

The President read a paper on the Union Building, in Salem, vide next number.

F. W. Putnam exhibited and described a living Pisuti.

Mr. Putnam also exhibited and explained two specimens of Indian Carving, vide next number.

Professor A. M. Edwards of New York, spoke concerning the connection of Guano deposits with Infusorial shales, and Bitumen, vide page 11.

The thanks of the Institute were voted to Mr. Edwards for his address.

Thomas Spencer of England, Ferdinand J. Dreer of Philadelphia, I. P. Langworth of Chelsea, J. J. Howard of London, and James A. McNiel of Grand Rapids, Mich., were elected Corresponding Members. Candidates for election as Resident Members, were announced.

LETTERS ANNOUNCED.

Batchelder, Jacob, Lynn, Jan. 8; Boardman, Samuel L., Augusta, Me., Nov. 30; Brigham, W. T., Boston, Dec. 18; Chipman, Rev. R. M., East Granby, Conn, Dec. 15; Cobb, W, H.. Wellsboro, Tioga Co., Pa., Dec. 16; Dix, D. L., Washington, D. C., June 10; Dumas, V., Boston, Dec. 21; Eaton, Lilley, Wakefield, Dec. 29; Geer, Elihu, Hartford, Conn., Dec. 31; Goodell, A. C., jr., Salem, Jan. 6; Gould, B. A., Cambridge, Dec. 16; Howard, J. J., Dartmouth Row, Blackheath, Kent, England, Dec. 11; Hubbard, Sara A., Kalamazoo, Mich., Sept. 21; Jackson, Rev. S. C., Boston, Dec. 30, and Jan. 4; Johnson, W. C., Newburyport, Dec. 24; Kinrock, Gustavus, Iowa City, Dec 25; Lacklau, R. M., London, England, March 3; Lincecum. Geo. W., Long Point, Dec. 14; Lyman, Arthur T., Boston, Jan. 12; McAlister, John A., Philadelphia, Jan. 2; Naturborschendè Gesellschaft, Frieburg, March 3; Norton, Edward, Farmington, Sept. 4; Porter, Horace P., Wayland, Allegan County, Mich., Dec. 31; Riley, Charles V., St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 21; Robinson, Ernest, New Haven, Dec. 31; Royal Institution, London, Nov. 29; Societé Royale des Sciences, a Upsal, Sept. 15; Spofford, Jeremiah, Groveland, Dec. 22; Tomkin, John, New York, Dec. 21; Turnbull, W. P., Philadelphia, Jan. 5; Verrill, A. E., New Haven, Conn., Nov. 18, and Dec. 20; Watt, David A. P., Montreal, May 4; Yeomans, W. H. Columbia, Conn., Jan. 1.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY.

BY DONATION.

AGASSIZ, L., Cambridge. Contributions to the Fauna of the Gulf Stream at great depths, 8vo, pamphlet.

BATCHELDER, JACOB, Lynn. Lynn Directory for 1863, 1 vol. 12mo; ditto for 1865, 1 vol. 8vo. Catalogue of Lynn Free Public Library, 1 vol. 8vo.

BROOKS, CHARLES T., Newport, R. I. Carriers Addresses, Newport, 1869. BUTLER, B. F., M. C. Speech in U. S. Congress on National Currency, Jan. 1869, 8vo, pamphlet.

CHASE, THOMAS, Haverford College. Catalogue of officers and students for 1868-9, 12mo pamphlet.

COLE, Mrs. N. D. Files of Salem Gazette for 1868, 1 vol. folio.

EATON, LILLEY of Wakefield. Inaugural exercises at Wakefield, on the occasion of the assumption of the new name, July 4, 1868, 8vo, pamphlet.

GREEN, SAMUEL A., Boston. 48 Pamphlets.

HOLDEN, N. J. Various papers and pamphlets relating to the campaign of 1868 HOOD, MARY W. Massachusetts Gazette for Dec. 26, 1786.