All Items 15

Catalogue of the Massachusetts State Cabinet: under the charge of the sec'y of the Board of Agriculture

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

Pages extracted from the "Catalogue of the Massachusetts State Cabinet," issued by the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, featuring a letter from Edward Hitchcock about the collection in the Massachusetts State Cabinet, its evolution, and the reasoning behind the names given to specimens, as well as the actual catalog of specimens. The catalog lists stratified and unstratified rocks held in the cabinet along with the locations where they were found, organized into more specific categories such as soils, clay, pliocene tertiary, miocene tertiary, Connecticut River Sandstone, metamorphic rocks, and others.

Catalogue of the Massachusetts State Cabinet: under the charge of the sec'y of the Board of Agriculture
Abstract of the proceedings of the fifth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists

Association of American Geologists and Naturalists

Pages extracted from volume 47, number 1 of the American Journal of Science and Arts containing a summary of the proceedings of the fifth meeting of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists, which was held in Washington, D.C. in May 1844. The document summarizes what occurred each day of the meeting, including papers presented and ensuing discussions, committees formed, and resolutions made. Hitchcock's contributions to the meeting are included.

Abstract of the proceedings of the fifth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists
Abstract of the proceedings of the fourth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists, extract

Association of American Geologists and Naturalists

Two pages from "Abstract of the proceedings of the fourth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists" extracted from volume 45, number 2 of the American Journal of Science and Arts, published in 1843. The extract describes a debate between Edward Hitchcock, Joseph Nicollete, William C. Redfield, and Henry Darwin Rogers regarding Louis Agassiz's glacial theory. Hitchcock notes that he is almost afraid to say anything more on the subject due to much misunderstanding of his previous reports on it, but states that he believes the phenomena of drift is the result of ice and water, though he is uncertain which is a greater force or what causes such action of ice and water.

Abstract of the proceedings of the fourth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists, extract
Report on the coal field of Bristol County and Rhode Island

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

House document number 45, containing a report presented to the Massachusetts House of Representatives by Edward Hitchcock discussing a coal field in Bristol County, Massachusetts, and extending into Rhode Island. Hitchcock presents his arguments for why he believes this portion of land is in fact a coal field and describes specific coal beds that are part of the whole deposit. A chart detailing various coal localities is included. At the beginning of the report is an order that the portion of the report discussing the coal field be printed for the House in advance of the whole report, and a notice that this order was adopted March 2, 1853.

Report on the coal field of Bristol County and Rhode Island
To the Hunterdon Copper Company

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A page extracted from "Report of the Geological Survey and Condition of the Hunterdon Copper Company's Property, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, with Maps and Drawings" featuring a brief report from Edward and Charles Henry Hitchcock to the Hunterdon Copper Company regarding a copper mine in Flemington, New Jersey. The Hitchcocks briefly describe the mine and conclude that they agree with Professors Montroville Wilson Dickeson and Forrest Shepherd's previous reports on the mine. At the time written, Edward Hitchcock was the State Geologist of Massachusetts and Vermont, and Charles H. Hitchcock was the Assistant Geologist of Massachusetts and Vermont. The report is signed by the Hitchcocks from Amherst College, Massachusetts, February 22, 1859. The title page of the original publication is included with the extract.

To the Hunterdon Copper Company
Description of a large bowlder in the drift of Amherst, Massachusetts, with parallel striae upon four sides

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

Pages extracted from volume 22, number 66 of the second series of the American Journal of Science and Arts, published in 1856, containing an article by Edward Hitchcock about a boulder found in Amherst, Massachusetts. He describes its shape, size, and weight, as well as how the Amherst College Class of 1857 dug the boulder out. Hitchcock also discusses the boulder's striation in detail, suggesting potential ways the striation could have occurred.

Description of a large bowlder in the drift of Amherst, Massachusetts, with parallel striae upon four sides
Prof. Hitchcock's address

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

An address delivered by Edward Hitchcock at the dedication of the State Geological Hall, Albany, New York, extracted from New York Senate Document 109. In the address Hitchcock reflects upon the history of geological surveys in the United States, giving special attention to the survey conducted in New York. Hitchcock also details the formation and development of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, claiming that the society's formation is a result of the New York geological survey.

Prof. Hitchcock's address
Abstract of the proceedings of the Association of American Geologists, at their 1st meeting held in Philadelphia, April, 1840

Association of American Geologists and Naturalists

A printed document containing summaries of the first and second meetings of the Association of American Geologists. Both meetings took place in Philadelphia, the first in early April 1840, and the second in early April 1841. The summary of the proceedings of the first meeting is brief, listing who was present, that Edward Hitchcock was appointed chairman of the meeting and Professor L.C. Beck was appointed secretary, what the association decided the organization should be named, and brief descriptions of what was discussed each day. The summary of the proceedings of the second meeting is much more detailed, discussing what was exhibited, what various members of the association thought about the presentations, and summarizing the papers read at the meeting. Included in the summary is a "Report on the Ornithichnites or Foot Marks of Extinct Birds, in the new red Sandstone of Massachusetts and Connecticut, observed and described by Prof. Hitchcock, of Amherst," by Henry D. Rogers, Lardner Vanuxem, Richard C. Taylor, Ebenezer Emmons, and T.A. Conrad, which is in agreement with Edward Hitchcock's original reports about these tracks.

Abstract of the proceedings of the Association of American Geologists, at their 1st meeting held in Philadelphia, April, 1840
Remarks upon certain points in ichnology

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

An extract from "Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fourteenth meeting, held at Newport, Rhode Island, August, 1860" consisting of three reports by Edward Hitchcock, with some illustrations. The first piece contains remarks by Hitchcock on ichnology. In his remarks, Hitchcock discusses the history of ichnology as a science, and focuses on five specific points. First, he proposes that species determined only by fossil footprints be grouped separately from those identified by skeletons; second, he claims that prints from a hind foot do not completely obliterate prints made by a forefoot when placed in the same place; third, he argues against the idea that none of the tracks in the Connecticut River Valley were made by birds; fourth, he discusses evidence that animals existed during "sandstone days" that had characteristics similar to those in prior and later time periods; and fifth, he proposes that some Lithichnozoa species were likely marsupials. The second piece by Hitchcock focuses on the geology of a dyke at Nash's Point, Vermont. Hitchcock describes his analysis of specimens obtained there and draws conclusions about the heat of the rocks when they were made. The third piece discusses a fossil fern called clathropteris that was discovered by his son, Edward Hitchcock, Jr. Hitchcock gives some additional facts about the ferns that were not included in Hitchcock, Jr.'s initial description of them, focusing on the fronds of these ferns, their stems, and their roots.

Remarks upon certain points in ichnology
On the conversion of certain conglomerates into talcose and micaceous schists and gneiss, by the elongation, flattening and metamorphosis of the pebbles and the cement

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

An illustrated article by Edward Hitchcock extracted from volume 31, number 93 of the second series of the American Journal of Science and Arts, published in 1861, in which Edward Hitchcock discusses pebbles found in Vermont and Newport, Rhode Island. Hitchcock explains his and his son Charles H. Hitchcock's observations of these pebbles and why he believes they prove the theory of metamorphism. He notes that they have been elongated, flattened, and occasionally have formed around each other, undergoing changes that would not be possible for solid rock. He ends with a note about some arguments against his theory, and reiterates why he believes these pebbles are the result of metamorphism.

On the conversion of certain conglomerates into talcose and micaceous schists and gneiss, by the elongation, flattening and metamorphosis of the pebbles and the cement
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. 7, page 353

Boston Society of Natural History

A typescript transcript of pages 353 and part of 354 of volume 7 of "Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History" published in 1861. The proceedings summarize Edward Hitchcock's presentation at the conference about distorted pebbles found in Newport, Wallingford, and Plymouth, Vermont. The identity of the transcriber is unknown.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. 7, page 353
Geology of the Hoosac Mountain: testimony of President Edward Hitchcock, before the legislative committee

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A report by Edward Hitchcock given before the Legislative Committee of Massachusetts on the topic of Hoosac Mountain. Hitchcock describes its geology specifically as it relates to the intended path of the Hoosac Tunnel. He describes the types of rock contained in the mountain, and what he believes can be expected when excavating the mountain. The final two pages of the document were not composed by Hitchcock and instead discuss the logistics and expenses of excavating the tunnel.

Geology of the Hoosac Mountain: testimony of President Edward Hitchcock, before the legislative committee
Report on certain points in the geology of Massachusetts

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

House document number 39, a report presented to the Massachusetts House of Representatives by Edward Hitchcock discussing aspects of the geology of Massachusetts to which he was unable to give attention in his "Final Report on the Geology of Massachusetts." Subjects covered include the coal field of Bristol County and Rhode Island, beds of brown hematite and iron ore in Berkshire County, and marks of ancient glaciers in Massachusetts. Several illustrations are included, along with a map of drift and glacier striae in Hampden County, some of which are in color. Within the section on hematite and iron ore Hitchcock duplicates the text and images of his published article "Description of a brown coal deposit in Brandon, Vermont, with an attempt to determine the geological age of the principal hematite ore beds in the United States." The report includes a brief introduction by Massachusetts governor John H. Clifford to the Speaker of the House. The report is signed by Hitchcock from Amherst, Massachusetts on February 23, 1853.

Report on certain points in the geology of Massachusetts
Abstract of the proceedings of the fifth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists

Association of American Geologists and Naturalists

A printed document containing a summary of the proceedings of the fifth meeting of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists, which was held at Washington, D.C., in May 1844. Several pages are missing from the document, including 3-8, 17-18, 25-28, 31-40, and 43. The missing pages appear to be those that do not include any material related to Edward Hitchcock. The document summarizes what occurred each day of the meeting, who presented, and what was discussed. The abstract notes that Edward Hitchcock was appointed to three different committees within the association, read a paper on "the trap tufa, or volcanic grit of the valley of the Connecticut River," read his "Report on Ichnolithology of Fossil Footmarks, with a description of the Coprolites of Birds, discovered recently in the Connecticut Valley," and read a paper on "a singular case of the dispersion of blocks of stone at the drift period, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts."

Abstract of the proceedings of the fifth session of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists
Description of a brown coal deposit in Brandon, Vermont, with an attempt to determine the geological age of the principal hematite ore beds in the United States

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

An article by Edward Hitchcock describing a brown coal (also known as lignite) deposit in Vermont. The article appeared in volume 15, number 43 of the second series of the American Journal of Science and Arts, published in 1853. Hitchcock describes the topography of the area and the different types of material in the deposit, including fruit and seed fossils as well as lignite. Several illustrations of the specimens discussed are included.

Description of a brown coal deposit in Brandon, Vermont, with an attempt to determine the geological age of the principal hematite ore beds in the United States