Geological researches in China, Mongolia, and Japan, during the years 1862-1865.

126 APPENDIX.
APPENDIX No. 3.
Letter from Mr. Arthur Mead Edwards on the Results of an Examination, under the
Microscope, of some Japanese Infusorial Earths and other Deposits of China and
Mongolia.
NEW YORK, January 14, 1866.
RAPHAEL PUMPELLY, Esq.
Dear Sir: I have, agreeably to your request, made a microscopical examination of the specimens
of earths you submitted to me some time since, and have to report thereon as follows:They were thirteen in number, and the results of examining each one separately and carefully is
recorded below. With regard to the two specimens numbered 6 and 9, in which I have found the
siliceous loricae of Diatomaceve, I have to regret that the time at my disposal lately has been so short
that I have been unable to identify the various species detected therein, much less have I been able
to do as I would have wished, that is to say, transmit to you at this time a complete list with descriptions and figures of the supposed new forms.
No. 1. " Efflorescence from the plains of the Kirnoor, Mongolia."
This specimen contains some straight sponge spicule and broken crystalline particles of ea deep
olive-green color; otherwise it consists mostly of fine particles of sand. From the presence of the
sponge-spiculae I judge this deposit to be decidedly of aquatic origin and probably marine; although
the form of the spiculee, as well as I can tell from their generally broken condition, is such that they
may have belonged to a fresh-water species of sponge.
No. 2. " Terrace deposit (loam of lower terrace) Te Hai, Mongolia."
Under the microscope this is very similar to the above, that is to say, it contains many of the green
crystalline particles found in No. 1, but no sponge-spiculke that I have been able to detect.
No. 3. Efflorescence (with sand), from the flat at the Te Hai Mongolia."
This is also very like the first in appearance, in containing green crystals, but, like the second
specimen it contains no sponge-spiculoe, so that in neither of these two last numbers have I found anything that would assist in determining their origin.
No. 4. " Gobi limestone (steppe deposit in part), Nov. 28, 1864."
Consists almost entirely of fine white particles of calcareous matter, but shows nothing to indicate
the circumstances or conditions under which it was deposited. This was to be expected as the microscope rarely reveals anything peculiar in limestones, their origin being best denoted by the character
of the large fossils when these are present.
No. 5. "Lake l6am, Siwan, N. Chihli," is mostly sand, and contains a few of the before mentioned green crystals, but no traces of the remains of organized beings.
No. 6. "Forming bluff near Nietanai, Yesso."
No. 9. "From bluff near Nietanai, Yesso."
These both evidently belong to the same deposit, taken at different depths most likely, as is evident
from the remains of organized forms which they contain. They are plainly from a marine tertiary
stratum similar in character to that discovered by Prof. Rogers underlying the cities of Richmond
and Petersburg in Virginia, and also like that found by Prof. W. P. Blake at Monterey in California.
The last mentioned deposit I have at present under examination for the State survey of California,
and it has been found by Prof. Whitney, and his coadjutors of the survey, at different points extending
some hundreds of miles down the Pacific coast, varying slightly in appearance, color, hardness, or
the grouping of the forms contained in it, as it was collected at various localities, but plainly showing