bFateabs a aes fasrtiscraeraanene: se i reatts caseteetate Lats Pideet bLeas Sotarestererey LET adelod toes aries) : aera af +3 inioeee eae it Coty ye The Ss tens sete spishneteteos bye KAAS brs sents : 3 tails erateet euie are aay oe Seeereahbeeeert aera a: A i Bae a |e b) ae la 4 ti . q Oy S 14 | 7 3 _ nee ee Nees ere eee a ? Actual dates of issue very uncertain. Even if we had dated covers, they could not be depended on, for the contemporary numbers of the "Annals" never appeared during the month printed on the covers. The Proceedings were very carelessly distributed; few copies went to any one except members. It was not even voted to send them free to members until 7 N 1870, probably several months after the first number had been printed; and the Philadelphia Academy received none until 1872 (Proc. Phila. Acad. 1872:305). A few facts, however, seem to stand cut, and there are various reason- able inferences. Yolume 1 The first number probably consisted of 44 pages; at least, there was a sharp break after page 44. Page 44 was short, and the signature (pages 53-44) was short; page 45 begins a marked change in typography. Page 44 ended with the meeting before, and page 45 began with the meeting after the summer vacation of 1870. This first number probably appeared with reasonable prompt- ness: probably during the summer, surely before the end of the year. The second number probably ended on page 108; at least it included that page, and was issued before 13 Mr 1871. For at the meeting of that date was recorded (page 188) an error on page 98 (in the signature ending on page 108). Whether the remainder of the volume was in numbers is very doubtful; the loose signatures were probably distributed to members from time to time, perhaps not as printed and certainly not very soon after the meetings they record. During 1872 the Philadelphia Academy received (as noted above )pages 1-238; and apparently no more were sent to them. No doubt all the pages then published were sent, but the time of the year when this occurred is not re- corded; it is in an annual report. ca: Yolume 2 (SSecond series"). | . Here we are on surer eelaaae Bach ef the four numbers is introduced by a distinct page-heading, and the second number was erroneously paged, so its extent is clear. The first number was announced as issued, at the meet— i) ing o of 2 Je 1873 (see the last page of the second number) and it surely had not been out very long. The delay in the publication of the second number was the occasion of detailed apologies from the publication committee (see page 108); apparently it had then (F 1874) not yet appeared, but must have done so soon afterward, for it must have preceded the third number (see note at top of page 65). The appearance of the third number was cau de at the meeting of 1 Je 1874, and a footnote on page 77 gives the full bibliographic citation of a paper that was not published until 3 Mr 1874! The remainder of the volume, beginning with page 89, probably con- stituted a single number, but may have been distributed in loose signatures, like the latter portion of the first volume; in any event the date or dates remain doubtful. Summary 1:1-44. Summer or fall 1870. 1:45-108. Early in Le71. 1:109-236. 1872? 1:237-300. 1873? 2:1-32. My 1873. 2:1-32 (error for 33-64),Mr? 1874. 2:65-88. My 1874. 2:89-156. (Cowmdaled 7187'n) S48, April 142%. ~ Vv . ee a PROCHEDINGS OF THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Phan IAsdTEe. 10. VO : a ¥ ' ' \ fs. vee PROGHEDINGS OF THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. SERIES I. (Apri 4, 1870, TO DECEMBER 4, 1871). PaGEs 1 TO 300. SERIES II. (January 6, 1878, To JUNE 1, 1874). ' PaGEs 1 TO 156. NEW YORK PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. OFFICERS OF THE LYCEUM. 1873-1875. President: JOHN S. NEWBERRY. Vice-Presidents : THOMAS EGLESTON. Henry Morton. Corresponding Secretary : RoperT DINWIDDIE. Recording Secretary: RopertT H. BROWNNE. Treasurer : JOHN H. HINTON. Librarian: BERNARD G. AMEND. Curators : Wititiam J. Hays, HENRY WuURTzZ, Lewis FEUCHTWANGER, Wititiam H. LEGGETT, JoHN J. STEVENSON. Committee on Nominations : CHARLES A. Joy, Chairman ; RoBERT DINWIDDIE, CHARLES A, SEELEY, BENJAMIN N. MARTIN, ALBERT H. GALLATIN. Committee on Publications. THoMAS BLAND, Chairman ; JoHN S. NEWBERRY, GrorceE N. LAWRENCE, DANIEL 8. MARTIN, H. CaARRINGTON BOLTON. Finance Committee. BENJAMIN N. Martin, Chairman ; J. CARSON BREVooRT, D. JACKSON STEWARD. LInbrary. Committee : Ropert H. BROWNNE, Chairman ; Louis ELSBERG, Oran W. Morris. MABE OF, CONTENTS. BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS. Series I. PAGE Accessions to the Library............... 45, 187 Hilection of Members... . <0 oc siesesicjeo sje Settee HMectiOn OL Officers aciacisaten 8 ative eis slicer 178 Memorial Notices............... 12, 16, 270, 298 Reports : Committees............. 1, 6, 94, 156, 238 Corresponding Secretary...............- EMIQEATAUAI Sayatinvetcisieversieiepsaa-cisvaisiesavsielt cies ors 45 ETGASUTOT. ith Yio kSaial ate sth eelee ee reo Miscellaneous............... 147, 186, 187, 283 Series II. PAGE 141, 158 22, 107 23, 25, 48, 64, 73, 107, 113, 129, 153 A doses Gti 26, 48, 109 22, 65, 128, 141, 144, 153 SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS. Series I. PAGE Archeology...... dBc 2, 45, 91, 201, 218, 299 ISACUCPIOLOS Vise mai) Stale sais Solos s Ae ~ sd oie hela ete Botany, 11, 18, 20, 32, 38, 70, 76, 199, 200, 258, 272, 278 Chemistry, 6, 16, 21, 38, 53, 54, 80, 1386, 137, 141, 148, 163, 196, 216, 244, 257, 284, 288, 293 GOR RAPHY 62:5 x ahd Seiste aresio'e aah 6 cele a ale! © “ets Peters Geology and Paleontology, 14, 20, 25, 36, 45, 47, 67, 75, 77, 90, 95, 99, 107, 109, 131, 136, 148, 149, 152, 155, 163, 1%, 179, 188, 197, 202, 218, 220, 222, 225, 236, 237, 241, 242, 244, 252, 259, 260, 290, 296 Hygiene and Medicine ..... are ce tapee viataptane ware Mechanics and Engineering....44, 106, 217, 281 Meteorology, 15, 45, 76, 128, 129, 179, 201, 235, 253, 278, 294, 297 Series II. PAGE ..48, 77, 105, 118 sales aieleer Nae 2 outs 4, 148 2, 5, 8, 15, 33, 84, 42, 43, 45, 52, 65, 81, 91, 100, 102, 1038, 121, 180, 132, 148, 144, 155 9, 20, 29, 36, 37,41, 44, 45, 46, 55, 58, 61, 62, 67, 68, 71, 73, 76, 84, 90, 92, 97, 120, 122, 127, 129, 134, 136, 139, 140, 142, 149, 150 9, 19, 30, 40, 51, 85, 128, 129 Vili TABLE OF CONTENTS. Series I. Series IT, PAGE PAGE Microscopy.......41, 158, 186, 189, 205, 256, 299 | ...........-.. »- 4,6 Mineralogy, 1, 9, 12, 20, 33, 37, 1, 61, 78, 88, | 36, 42, 48, 56, 66, 67, 130, 134, 147, 149, 150, 151, 154, 155, 156, 174, 71, 74, 95, 119, 135, 198, 199, 202, 2(4, 217, 221, 222, 239, 240, 138, 139, 142, 146 245, 253, 258, 270, ‘276, 278, 289, 207, 298 Photography.....--++..+.++.-+. 52, 162, 186, 189 IPAYSICS hie 2 Weleieen er oo..-el, 59, 85, 178, 220 | 1, 16, 35, 41, 120, 125, 133 Physiology and Anatomy.......2.<.5000¢0 .2-.+s 48, 85, 89, 98, 143, 151 Zoology, 10, 12, 72, 135, ‘5I, 155, 157, 162, 198, | 14, 46, 57, 60, 61, 65, 219, 238, 243, 253, 297 89, 99, 128, 145, 148, 155 PAPERS READ BEFORE THE LYCEUM. SERIES 1. P. T. AUSTIN. Comparative Merits of the Various Methods Proposed for the Analy- sis of Cinchona Bark (October 9, 1871)..........6. ceeeeeeeeeee 257 THOMAS BLAND AND W. G. BINNEY. Notes on the genus Pineria, and on the Lingual Dentition of Pineria Viequensis, Pfr. (March 20, 1871)........--++:eeeeeeeee 198 On the Jaws and Lingual Dentition of Helix turbiniformis and other Terrestrial Molluscs (May 29, 1871) ........----+-++eeeeee 24 H. CARRINGTON BOLTON, Rise and Fall of Defunct Elements (May 16, 1870).............- abe FRANCIS COLLINGWOOD. How far is Smoke Transported by the Wind? (November 20, 1871).. 293 ARTHUR M. EDWARDS. On the Presence of Living Insects in the Human Body (April 26, ASTOY. SCs. Sa ake ws ahis oe o's vee eel ein «55s ere ela eee > eee re 12 Report upon a Specimen of Anemone nemorosa infested by a Fungus (May 2;.1870). oc cles oseeeie enh. | sullen eiysiuneriecev mer eens ayrnl3: Note on Itacolumite (May 23, 187 0). ce ahlNewtele eceintbiole sles dtldes ff wlciamm 33 On the Preparation of Specimens of Soundings for the Microscope (Dune 6, 1870)..5 026 aces eee canes nee caps Uaidin geen + «nies eaiieEe 41 On some Facts connected with the occurrence of Deposits of Fresh- Water Diatomacese, commonly known as Infusorial Earths (October 8, 1870)... 6.260) cece n emis else's nines’ *lne/e ce mele ieee 47 Microscopical examination of Two Minerals (November 14, 1870).. 96 On the Formation of Deposits of Fresh-water Diatomaceze (Novem- ber 28, 1870)....... asi a!" 3 Sea: os ahead eee aceite aes aiid ate tdi 109 TABLE OF CONTENTS. ix PAGE ‘On Preparing and Preserving the Odontophores of Mollusca (Febru- AERATED Y ha (ooh ch ata Vere Ala) a, TAs oicboyl eee 155: OSCAR LOEW, On Hydrogenium-Amalgam (April 11, 1870)..............ee eee eee 6 On the Question of the Existence of Antozone (October 10, 1870)... 54 On the R6le which Chalk Plays in Butyric Fermentation (Decem- ayer onl bebe Ter Dak. einer nia at Ista er IAI GN ICReCICe WCMISIS Skee SEC RO TREROMERES O10 Gro © C 143 On some New Derivatives of Albumen (February 138, 1871)......... 163 On some Chemosmotic Phenomena and a New Theory of Fermen- tation (Noveraberets eS l) treated cetronevecctet teres ot eveyone e okerr rete nettefovetete 284 DANIEL S. MARTIN. Notes on the Minerals of the Cornwall Mines, Pennsylvania (May 15, PET UV (tIELE)).). os wien sy (aise ee eels oe be eR Tic lips sje Ss See 80 Outlines of a Bibliography of a History of Chemistry (title) (Decem- cel gro SR boy 2.) ge eee RS 5 ee 81 Notes on the Early Literature of Chemistry (January 12, 1874..).... 91 Paradoxes in Organic Chemistry (June J, 1874).................-00- 155 THOMAS BLAND. On the Physical Geography of the Bahama Islands, and the Distri- bution of Terrestrial Mollusca therein (title) (April 21, 1878). ..14 (46) Description of a New Species of North American Helix, and Note on H. Mobiliana, Lea (title) (January 5, 1874).............. ... 89 THOMAS BLAND AND W, G. BINNEY. On Prophysaon, a new Pulmonate Mollusc, on Ariolimax, on Helix lychnuchus, and other species (title) (April 21, 1873)...........14 (46) On the Lingual Dentition and Anatomy of Achatinella and other Pulmonata (title) (October'6;18i3).- 2. +. 2-1-5. el. once ore eet 65 FRANCIS COLLINGWOOD. On Combustion in Compressed Air (February 10, 1873).............. 16 A. K, EATON, Construction of the Spectroscope (March 9, 1874).. .... ........08. 120 THOMAS EGLESTON, The Analysis of Furnace Gases (April 18, 1874) ............ yee. 132 Systems of Notation of Crystals (April 20, 1874) ..... ......-...-0- 135 On the Striations of Crystals (May 18, 1874) .............0-.scccees 146 LOUIS ELSBERG. Notes on Physical Regeneration, a Contribution to the Doctrine of Evolution (May 25, 1874).............. Bye iats ie. -aaiotaseie\statokaatete ace Lol HERMAN ENDEMANN, Chemical and Mycological Examination of the Blood and Urine of Diseased Horses during the late Epizootic (January 13, 1878).... 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS. xl PAGE On the Action of Iodoform on Potassic Sulphydrate, by H. Ende- mann and Oscar Loew (February 10, 1878)..............,.,.00- 15 rhe Airave Breathe.(May) 12: 1878) s.csacsine s owswieidiedicie ests dow we oe 20 (42) WILLIAM FALKE. Renal and Urinary Calculi (December 8, 1873)...............00cceee 81 Experiments with Poisons on Limulus (January 26, 1874) .......... 98 SineAdipocere (February, 9-874) <5... 2)<\00n 5 sve.c alslasin b/s ¢.0,05 occ 0 oes Cae un Physical and Vital Theories of Fermentation (May 11, 1874)........ 148 CHARLES FRED. HARTT. Remarks on the Geological Results of his Recent Visit to Brazil OCU OUI Re ae 2A ace Sy Ayia ED OE 14 (46) Aboriginal Manufacture of Pottery (February 16, 1874)............. 105 W. W. HENSHAW. An Annotated List of the Birds of Utah (title) (May 18, 1874)... ... 145 W. P. JENNEY. Account of Recent Explorations in the Geology of Western Texas (Octoper 20. 187s). ois scen |) [ERME eat adske be) paosate fuse Ve): 68 GEORGE N. LAWRENCE, Descriptions of Six Supposed New Species of American Birds (title) ORRRRETEE OS DUES LAN, oiclal 6 MEEVEE SPARCRTIRE oon 6 5u:S Lovee sroe ds on bd 99° ALBERT R, LEEDS. On the Compounds of Tungsten (December 8, 1878)................. 81 Mizariniasia, Lest (Bebruary 9; USA)... cwecscc ce cecs hl eccs ance sess. 100 On the Dissociation of Certain Compounds at very low Temperatures (henmuany) 9, ROTA. Js). Stoel I Salk os clvetorosgquel. Lis 102 W. GOOLD LEVISON, Note on the Production of Ammonia in Nitric Acid Batteries (March SOC Aer) ee eso ANS eS okie oh a Tle ein wieisia Seicieae sie seieeaeor ck 2 (34) On a Simple Connective for Battery ‘Gaxpone (April 18, 1874) ..... .. 13 BENJAMIN N. MARTIN. Review of the Life and Labors of Rev. John Bachman (March 2, WOVE) Mr sents bs tHe atl. Bevesy.'2 pasereteenat. Vo aiehteiid. Peete’ diimvcrck aah 117 DANIEL S. MARTIN, Rieag Me CRS TORR AT oh MUA On) i aceai wigs v, csp cis, 6p n'6,0.0:5 me's wigi'ele\s aretaiainia'ss 20 On the Rhombic Crystallization of Graphite (May 18, 1874)......... 145 ORAN W. MORRIS. The Meteorology of the Month of January, 1873 (February 10, Petre perrcee wok nets | Sic cv otiaubnismir a «mnie s= woe MaeteiMare cee stat siorcce! ofa gana be XiV TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Summary of Meteorological Observations at the Cooper Union, for the Month of February, 1873 (March 17, 1878)..........,...... 8 (40) Summary of Meteorological Observations at Cooper Union, for the Months of March and April, 1873 (May 5, 1878)................ 19 (51 Meteorology of the Months of September, October, and November (December 22, 1873)......... asd Sveie afeste) sieva.ayavavbcep levee oth ie teterareeeeiete 85 Meteorology of the Three Winter Months (April 6, 1874)............ 128 Meteorology of the Month of March (April 27, 1874).,.............. 141 Meteorology of the Three Spring Months (June 1, 1874)......... ... 153 J. S. NEWBERRY. ‘ The Salina GroupiGdanuary, 20> U8i3)seces . sce ses ele cieelie okie ames 11 Coals and Lignites of the Western States and Territories Ohne BA ST BRD) cdpieelevetes ee ire ood ice. v coon o eta nia rica oeit o eS esicieva tetas 9 (41) Remarks Reviewing the History of the Class of Fishes, as traced in the Older Rocks of North America (May 19, 1873) ........... 25 (57) The Life, Labors and Scientific Services of Prof. Louis Agassiz (De- cember 15,1878) eee wis swciscise wise sisteic Seis levels oyeratels ehallctelanen eae 85 On Circles of Deposition in Secondary Sedimentary Rocks, Ameri- can’and Foreign’ (March 16; 1874). 2. se os sec cc ee eels of weston . 122 On the Structure and Origin of the Great Lakes (April 20th, 1874).. 136 On Dinichthys Terrelli (May 25, 1874).......... Meal: svekoresd Gasecs Ste eretetete 150 HENRY NEWTON. | ‘ American Iron Ores Suitable for the Manufacture of Steel (January VOUS TAs HLS Sica Sie dee vo recctiocayemeaede ister aietereiaete tele asd evan eielorae rate ey Woe ADOLPH OTT. Recent Improvements in the Manufacture of Artificial Stone (title) (Mare 2, 1873) e sisecnsa., ospsies eee es tssis;0's's\> ct eer mee eee 7 (89) PIERRE DE P, RICKETTS. Assays of Iron Ores (December 8, 1873).... ..... 5 sta te chase 6 eae 82 Results of some Experiments upon Cremation (April 15, 1874)...... 130 R. P. STEVENS, On the Fossils found in the ‘ Flag-stones”’ used in the Cities of New Vork/and Brooklyn\ (March, 873) jeecciare alelelersl-(o'-1 (+1) leet 5 (37) Recent Observations on Drift (October 27, 1873)....... ........-0-- 71 Irregularities in the Floor of the Coal Measures of Fastern Kentucky (October'27; 1873): ces feet. ieee elcisieercte aie’ vais a: letslee’s) siekoreronars 72 J. J. STEVENSON. The Lignites of Colorado (January 19, 1874)....... Biss! fs, atone; sieltohnraiate 93 TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV PAGE I, C. WHITE. Notes on the Coal Measures of Beaver Co., Penn. (title) (March 16, ee irae corte slate care Petal se ole) a 21a! p/s)6" ofeinialommalerait.s slain ns adiaalals 125 Catalogue of Plants Observed in Monongalia Co., West Virginia BME OVA. suc aNeiste sere ede tahe ip ca)e Bib 4 aus aan erasing 126 Notes on the Upper Coal Measures of Pennsylvania and Ohio (May PILES TE)! harass repels SAS em to Selena ieldlots MPa oe rad -'. Ju Galatea areia'e's oe 149 HENRY WURTZ,. On the Water Supply of Jersey City and Newark (February 9, EEE referee cforais aicicieieisiererl Iytaiinarder iad oisce siuiasttiersisis\o,cie,a\aveveia ee 101 On the Subaerial Oxygenation of Waters, with Experimental Illus- DiapeA (EF OOEUATY 1G. LSTA) oo oe. aise cel ciauscdjercie aedGaee'ejacn) wiote be ae 108 Outline Report on the ‘‘Greenland Coal” (March 9, 1874).......... 119 Products of Alteration in the Palisade Rocks (May 18, 1874)........ 148 The second fasciculus of the Proceedings, Series II.,which should have been paged from 33 to 64, was, by an unfortunate oversight, renumbered 1 to 32. In the present contents and index, to avoid confusion, these mis- numbered pages are considered and placed as if they were paged cor- rectly; e. g., a title referred to page 45, in the index, is found on the second page 13 (45—32) of the Proceedings. \ ' ‘| wh eR ee utes | ; ' Revere ie tend shea bole ’ a yee RY pare) Are fs . i Af fon neh AWAD’, ccatonthes a ae fef Te FP 7s VU oe Ae 1 ee bea ls sake La V6) eit pisacilitis as Nasa. (RTA. CE ny ee an WOR aub eh re by z “aie nh pa ain Cr ye yah. ag” ont | z ie De rin be * - » : "A * « eh ve we i iol Walt) “as : i ’ fi ' i INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS. SERIES I. PAGE PAGE Aboriginal remains in New Animals of Missouri Valley 71 VU CEA C OF Fossashaaleistesehslexevels ais ieie'e Ol WA NOON se hish roid sR Oris Absorption bands.......... is “Antelopey skull! obs. <3. 55.54 244 TAGUNUERASDUS. wird te aiclavcls sol stel ase 153 Anthracite from the West.... 252 NUT PATIO AU DRO DO OODL 201 SAMTOZONEA shee cee aissysrslez) ote « , 04 Wehromatic Prism... 2: .... <1. +. 299) Aipophylllite ys. «as se ss) cas 148 TACHINIODACUYIE. csc ccc ie a0 vee 163) ZAneh, discovery. Ol...) 91 FNGHIMLOLIUTG ie eicys 10 a'ej0inreloldlelersnciaioe 154 Archegosaurus medius......+- 237 Aicidum berberidis.......... oo Agkansites oi: 32 seiaes< sda 1, 154 Agates, coloration of......... 270 Ascidia Manhattensis........ 36 Albumen in dried blood...... 186 = Asphaltum from Colorado..241, 244 new derivatives of....... 163 Aspidophorus.........+++++++ 153 PATCH @INPCNMNAS «...;..5:5\e'sholg'al'e Salsas DUP PASLETOLE DUS rinte a -)-1e starciela le ctopeiste 152 Jvllkeesyo Seb Redo oeaboo ne AOU ciOs 215 Astrophyton Agassizti ...... 244 ANI ZATING./3.)2 2.2.26 SP Unatost Es) MEARS EES) 915 Ja). at. a) Macs’ toealaleleeis. > 90 Ali satonesaci. Wve Orotalus .......-eeecereeerese 163 Cruorinteee Lee een cr 173 Crustacea of N. A......------ 253 Cryolite .....-.--e-eeereeeres 88 utensils Of......--++-+++5 220 Cryptogamid.....+++-++s0e0e- 208 Crystallization of minerals.... 217 Cuprite from Cornwall.......- 151 Cyclas 2.00. e es ccescsecccere 72 Cyclotella ... 1.2... eeresecere 115 Cylindrella rosed...+.++++++++ 243 Trinitarid......e+see+e08 198 Dadoxylon.....++5++ : PAGE Dakota, travels in.........-++. 64 Danais archippus... ....++++- 297 Deep-sea dredgingSs......++.++. 106 “‘ Defunct Elements”.......-- 21 Degeeria domestica.......-+-+ 256 Demonstrating microscope.... 161 Dendritic manganese........-- 36 IDEGIUIOMWT?. etre aciob oa C55 22° 209 Devonian fishes ..... ....---- 152 Diamonds, 33, 152, 174, 188, 199, 289 Diatomacee. .. 27, 32, 42, 47, 89, 98, 109, 230, 282, 242, 292, 296 Dinichthys .......2+-++sseeees 153 ID TOIT ROR gene eee nyaGD COOd = 103 Dredgings..... ...---.+++: 41, 106 “Dried blood”... .... Jase 136 Dribtenneme em eet eerie 77%, 178, 222 1 Dakotas a. teeteaere atereiae 69 Dynastes Hercules. ......++-++ 155 TIC YUSE < ois jeroocom elt 155 Echinoderms ....:....0). 1s 236 Election of officers........156, 158 ‘«Blectro-silicon” ...... 89, 98, 188 Elements, chemical defunct.. 21 Pilephas ...... sos. das eisiels sole 7ith ete: AMeTriCAnUs....0...ceres 241 PTIMIGeNCUS.....+.e2erees 70 Embryology.......--- 209 Emeralds from S. America... 297 Encrinus liliiformis.......+-. 187 Eozoon Canadense.....- 89, 97, 240 Epigea repens.......+e0% .. 201 BIQuus...... cece cevccece tee 163 Esox Islebiensis... ......++ 94, 95 Huglend.......++eesceeeeeces 215 Euomphalus..... 0.0002 seer ees 90 VETUITC) oa is od sia1wie si seletold Sine 150 False gems.....---+++ seeeeee 255 Fauna of deep sea.......+.+-- 108 of Missouri Valley........ 71 Feldspar, green, from Maine.. 61 in Palisades.........-+++: 103 Felsites of Palisades ...... 244, 283 Fermentation........+++-- 200, 284 butyPic......6. se eceeeenes 143 Fishes, fossil of Devonian. 152, 197 from Africa ... jo: le eels 219 of-Cuba «,sos-teeneeeree 94, 151 Flora of Missouri Valley.. ... 70 Foraminifera. ....-- 42, 198, 239 Fossil elephants in America.. 77 | Ohiggenseee. = See eats 152 INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS. PAGE Fossil mammalsfrom caves, 15, 163 plants from Cretaceous... 148 plants from Tertiary of OTESON ace nisielseias-- 148 plants in bowlder........ 149 saurians from N. J....... 149 MUL PUSS etter iota erste 75 Fossils, carboniferous... ..286, 2387 Ragan ie vAlleneoiodsanounoe 90 from Chemung group... 7 from Hamilton group... 84 from greensand,......197, 198 from “Lake Beds” ....... 28 in New Hampshire ...... 45 of S. Carolina...... 14, 20, 240 of Western Territories.... 27 Fuente deSangre..... ... 237, 238 BRUTE emcee ss ese = 2 - 199 Fungus on anemone....... LTS on Florida rocks.......... 38 - PM PLATIOS! soos aeista see's cele = 32 Galena at Lake Superior...... 105 ATOMONU tahie? Set dete 149 PPS GAMUT OY, Oli sale -fepeialay sol 25 MG OICOCET.GOL 25.2568) leet mss 237 GCOTDOTCE) eG OTC rire 238 Gasterosteus, habits of........ 135 Crasrwellei: cians i en. 260 Gentiana quinqueflora.. .. .. 293 Geological museum...... 183, 187 Geology of Brazil............ 89 of Maumee Valley........ 17 GithHEMV Stet. 5 .% sia 25, 64 Gireialiepoach 14 oe SLE WHEMOMEN A.) 02 cic bse 175 Gianiconmite sn. tt tet siete et 198 GI LOSUROOUS Saye 2c Saas aie 31 GANEHYShl? 2 fo 8es sch ean 20 crystallized, from Oregon, 202 OCCUTrEnce Ole eee eect 10 Greenockites:* tai Mas 105 Greensand, fossils ...... 197, 198 MULT er tatercrs: ots. are cs ecee ete 238 Guanopee ssasete et ek Sie 225 islands of Peru........... 224 Gomeouneies $s.) sete ate es 53 TACHA TOSAUTUs oe! 149 ieematin re. ee 173 Pepnratite..:. s2ceeA ce hk: 99 Hamilton group, fossils of.... 84 period, rocks of...... ... 84 Hartt, PRoFessor C. F..... 89 Re OS aR EET 158 MEMLOLONUStaeslalcisie creiateratae te 157 SCM OUNUIT tearsiois.aicic sire teen 198 VUROTRIUOLINES: 2.12. tenes 243 Hesperomys....¢ +++ ssssese- Hornblende Hudson River Palisades... Human remains in America, 2, 14, Humerus of buffalo.......... Gia rachosie) 2 th ust) t/aaeyste Hydrogenium-amalgam ....6, le Agepliissqodocdus sbo0ccK0OMo Hypersthene................- eeeee eer eee Ce oe NGEbEESePOGHE. sale steelers er A kegs inne snaveish Ss aarp Coie circ cit TethyoOsOuruse. fo. ses 3). sa WAI ORT USe oho Boo Ge ue Infusorial deposits, 32, 47, 109, 229, 2382, earth from Nevada....... Inscriptions on American mon- STE UIEE Meo Sabot Seon SodGioas Insects in human body....... Iodide of silver and mercury. Imontmuneral sie eerie ls a2 MIOOIMES arenes ise sree err ore black, bandas. 44-0054: ores, titaniferous......216, ROE CIES OLAS «2.5.2 ofnie ay815 aici lexeel lmeninay se atone 8 oobUdoRc ec cre ec ecerseesr reese ee C8 seer ree eee eee ee Lake Erie, level of Superior minerals........ Superior mining.......... Lakes of Western America... . Lead, analysis of............. Lectures, public........ 89, 94, ACV ITS Aart er ts cn ehel choi exons STS Beprdodendron........+.- +6 90, Lepidoptera PEC DUA OSUTEN won earners cleisieiere.< 219, Lepidosteus LECTUS .<14.0,5, 45.5.0: ois 272 Silica, chemical geogony of... 56 TRTUERR Re SHS CORO Oe 299 Silicified wood from Nevada.. 202 Trichecus rosmarus.......+++- 15 Siluroids.... 1.46 ce eee nee 219 Trilobite from Brazil......... 90 Silver, crystal, from L. Supe- Tropidonotus ....... .se+e00: 163 TKO) BO lrarig Caen mc CLO ODOT 02 PTET eS see Le el ost e on tuan ein 200 images from Nicaragua... 299 ** Turba” from Brazil......... 222 UEPIEAG! OLS « arey tod 1 ejeheiss ye 149 ore from L. Superior, . 9 150, 156, 199 ee MOUS Tasco bco oc a pe ore from Nevada.......-.. 197 rius. SRP A GMAT cs 2. 163 Simplocarpus foetidus........ IO a iol ale a apna isd il Ae SIMPSON, SIR JAMES YOUNG, ; sp if Aesth Gh. oe ae 16 Viola TOUUNOLFOUG see an) etee 293 Sinter from San Salvador..... 949 Wivianite........-.+--seeeees 198 Slag from zinc furnace....... 317. Volatile liquids............--- a SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.... 147 Volcanic phenomena......... 242 Smoke, transportation by THA TVG Ne ie, Gece aReare Ree on ee OOM AlTisMnOSSIle a erts sje = seleia'e + 15 PRIS PORAM ale 225 oid a vie'e'a s/o ately 8 163 Wolfram from Conn.......... 85 V1 INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS. PAGE PAGE Yoldia carbonarid............ 2 AC ER Se 165 SLEVENSONA, . si : = aie 79 Accessions to Library, 76, 108, 134 Navarroensts....\....0ee 46 BACCUDON SEM « uiche Berm a s\a's.a:5\0,« 64) Batrachians. tossile..eocneonee 134 ACRAUNEUG 5:4 iis cnsi000s Ms yotah sue GO Bate soc ce eee aes oe eee 15 LAO SE AIOE SE ek ee “i, Battery carboug:. 24. 0s eee 133 BANU OUMR INES: inser 5, gtdoicis oxo lc ating 58 Bessemer steel......... .....- 94 AGIPOCENO rs: a cio e's isis 804.» siaizeie 100 Bibliography of chemistry, 81, 91 AGassizZ, Pror. Louis, death Birds of Utah. .\..5.. 3. nat ee 145 OLS aS a’ SNOT Meee , 8d NOW BPeCies::. -\-.J0. sas gee 99) Neri 210) inhi igs aii, Se S> Bisthutht eh ceees ene 66, 148 memorial address........ 85 Blood, examin of sh Lisebioe Sie 2 Age of lignite beds..... 78,91, 93 ‘‘Blood-spring” of Honduras 15 OLthockyaMtscae cece se 40 ‘Brazilveeolory of... ee ee 46. AGHMOSUUS LODATUS: 256, - ease is 10 Bulimulus............... ... 148 AMUTILICUS. cc ceere wate Sot ia toca (GL- UBUTINUS. ook ... ctaee eee 48 Analysis of furnace gases 182 Castoroides Ohioensis..... .44, 92 Ol WAUET OS tase sha as OUMIOS” Gerdiztes. >: oc accatenn see 63 PAROWUTO STi) se kiesstlses sce 94° 'Chaleedony... eeeeene ss ee 71 Antarctic expedition, Chama congregata........... 139: 14, 78, 89, 118, 141, 154 COTUICOSAS raed ater 139 Antmophyilite s:..26....6.ss4. 143 “Charcoal? .\3) Sone seer 1 PAOMGMTANOTAG do's a): vw a's ¢ Saye wee DO CF UCI THOT TOOT HOES 6 ci 6 bigaie ao 29 LADAUIbA Ge BES ace ese oiaierette 57, 96 Chemical dissociation...... 102 APCHROCYOTUB: 6.3 vcs = wiavegnane' 69 manipulavione. 2 +++. oc e AT CHUMEGES oa ous s wen esabe te 84 DALAGOXESs 6. : es ves sees 155 PAT ZOU OAM A-\s biocide 2a aie, Rare 46 BCICNCOM a tee asenins come 67, 75 Artificial stone . 4 .ascee svies sole 39 Chemistry, centennial of.,.... 144 Ascophora elegans.........+-+ 6 WiStOTY OL... vis. «oe eee 81, 91 Asimina triloba. ........<.. 126 Chlorine..... BEAIGRO Got cc 8 Assays of iron ores........... 82 (Chonebes.” . 3.0 sects corheete 47 Astarte undulata.... ....... 139° Ghromiciron ee see 66 Atmosphere, impurities of.... 52 Chromite..................--- 68 @hrysolite: 2 yt cies sale eee 55 BACHMAN, REV. JOHN, memor- Chrysotile... os. .....-. «eee 66 HAL OMGE GORGE OD GaOnee NG ae ec 117 Classes of sedim. rocks........ 124 INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS. Vil PAGE (ONCE GREENS SSIS SSIS 31, 88, 128 OPGHeR OL... 20's ge sen OD MDE M EGE ee ics s.cce sis se eee y= 63 Coal measures....... wee 104, 149 GMbenNas. 6 hc58. cess 125, 149 HOMO ts, oh. werent 72 WANs vars sien <0: 20, 41, 73, 74, aR MUTEOSUCUSistava)a015) 57, 62, 88, 1384, 150 insects from Colorado.... 29 plants. ..55, 78, 84, 90, 120, 127 Fossils (?) from Taconic....... 77 DOVONIAI, voice cisaye aos 37, 84 i Hae-StOWes ait. aleiaiere ita: 37 from Upper Marl......... teed IMGOCEMOS csy5 .lcheneyedfoustessides one 139 IP GIMOTOI Al So crass ists cite 10 Bram GO jaya ct ayaa iereessieiesslolsiscevete 67 Fucoides cauda-galli......... 84 BRAG OLA Bye o0) evae-s\e oveesnemnanetniss over 38, 67 Fuente de Sangre eM neve ebet ae ca 15 EDINAGO SAUCING.§ «50+, «1050 a0/0 6 Bungus; in blOO. <2)... = Bia pets 97 Terition0f Wood!:.. 2.2522ecn 1 Tn purities Of air. ; 3." reece 52 ANGIaANS* 523s l 8 Senora eee 45 INOCETAMUS S228 3 Sselnce es see 79 insects*fossilsss. 3.2. ae 29 Instinct of animals .......... 43 fodoform, action of.....;..a:- 15 iron, ;Chromic,;,:.<) -.cujaeee ee 66, 68 OFS, ASSBYS.Of.. 6 scjeiee)-14- 82 ores for steel... it). 250 ayer 94 pipes, decay. of...... 2 sche 43 reduction Of,3.4.p. 6—epee 54 FUPANS NIGTA. . ....- 2 148 TAIMOD shes sce «+ s/o oe 148 Limulus polyphemus.........- 98 effect of poisons on....... 98 TA OUIEOIMNDOTT sete > 256 1-12 mA be Literature of chemistry....81, 91 BOWUM. a5 os sodas We eee ee uf LonG ISLAND Hist. Soc...... 106 Macher acCanthus......2 2 nee 58 LITE TOUS ARES SECIS Oe - 69 MaCTODOMG.... > 322 ecu eee 63 Macrae iQue. oc ce «eee 94 Magnesian minerals.......... 68 Magnesite... 5. mc o,- <> acme 68 Magnetite..\... .'..\:citsiseeaet ree 96 Magnolia... ac, 25s ose eee 120 Malachite) ..\;' 3.5.5 -ceceeeee 48 Map, geolog. of U.S.......... 61 Marmolite.. 0) ieee 90 LOMODICUS Es wlan wie «a oveiniar 97 Olenellus asaphoides.......... 10 INDEX OF PROCEEDINGS. 1x PAGE PAGE Onchus Deweyt...........2+5% Bo MATER 2055 as ors SINR Red 57 Wires OL COPPerss: |. . cscs Oe ere 49 OMTONM AT. . =f =e te re F ECAATNE ALLS S05 cocpcta one cine uw Rel EN 31 from Western terr........ 66. Receptaculitessie.) oxcc ae 69 ‘Origin of Great Lakes ....... 136 Regeneration, physical........ 151 Ornamentation of aboriginal Reports of Committees (see BANG oe Re! -G0UB “fallen. 201 The following are examples of the mode of applying this scheme to practice. Stellaria media, common chickweed, stages 4, X. Acer rubrum,'swamp maple, stage 4. Locality Newburgh, March 16. Corylus Americana, hazelnut, stage 5. Locality Central Dutchess Co., March 17. Alnus serrulata, swamp alder, stage 5. Locality Central Dutchess Co., March 18. Simplocarpus fetidus, skunk cabbage, stage 6. Locality Central Dutchess Co., March 18. Epigea repens, trailing arbutus, stage 1-7 to 2. Locality Central Dutchess Co., March 26. He also presented the results of a record kept of the tem- perature of the Croton water as drawn from a faucet in the city during the month of March, 1871. In February it had averaged 36° F. March 2d, 37° F. 8th, 37°5° 14th, 42° 224, 44° 27th, 445° Mr. E. G. SquieR made some remarks relative to a Copper Axe, found near Watertown, in this state, and supposed to be made of bronze. It, had not, as yet, been shown to contain any Tin and it was not at all likely that it did, as it was plainly cast and not hammered into shape, as was the case with all of those true bronze implements which had been found upon this continent, but as yet only in the West and South West. April 8d, 1871. The President in the chair. Thirty-two persons present. Dr. L. FEUCHTWANGER exhibited specimens of Silicified Wood, from the White Pine district in Nevada. Also a spec- imen of light-colored translucent Blende, from Spain. Also specimens of Marble, from California, Brandon, Vermont, and New York. Pror. B. N. Martin exhibited specimens of Crystallized Silver, from Lake Superior and Crystallized Gold, in which the form of the crystal was made up of fine metallic filaments, from Oregon. Pror. T. EanuEston remarked upon the beauty of the gold specimen, and said that although he was at first disposed to consider the silver crystals to be artificial, on subsequent examination he ascertained them to be natural and, as well as the gold, to present some points of considerable interest. Mr. B. G. AMEND exhibited a specimen of the White pul- verulent mineral, from Watertown, similar to that shown by Prof. Seeley at a previous meeting. He had found it to contain seventy-five per cent. of material soluble in acid. The following paper was read, On a Specimen of Ichthyosaurus. By B. WATERHOUSE HAWKINS. A good fossil specimen of the Ichthyosaurus or Fish- Lizard has arrived in this city, and is deposited in the Col- lege of the City of New York, which, in consequence of an invitation from the President, Gen. Webb, I have inspected. I did not measure the specimen, but it appeared to me a little over ten feet in length. It is in an excellent state of preser- vation, and has been compressed from below upwards, leaving it in a position to exhibit the. spinal column. The paddles, 208 and a second specimen, about two feet long, lying outside the abdominal aspect of the larger individual, are also well displayed. The situation of the smaller specimen has, I un- derstand, given rise to various opinions, by naturalists who have seen it, as to whether it be in its present place in rela- tion to Viviparous origin, or to having been swallowed whole, and so taken into the stomach of the larger Ichthyosaurus. I bee to express distinctly my conviction that neither of these causes will account for its position, as the ribs of the larger specimen are covered by the smaller; distinctly proving that the’ smaller animal was outside the larger one. I do not attempt to define the species, or add a new name to the already overburdened list, on which Palzontologists have amused themselves, by naming more than thirty species, which classification is for the most part based on minute differences in the teeth. The present specimen does not show a sufficient number of them for positive identification. There is the usual break in the line of the caudal vertebre, in this specimen, which first suggested to Professor Owen his hypothesis as to the necessity for the presence of a caudal fin, to enable this large marine Saurian to move swiftly in the water, the dislocation always occurring in the same rela- tive place, it appeared to him as though there must have been the weight of some appendage at the extreme end of the tail, which when the integuments were decomposed, allowed it to fall and separate from the end of the body. Added to this break, there is the depression on the upper aspect of the terminal vertebrze, which indicates that the fin was vertically placed, asin the shark and other fishes. This reasoning appeared so just, that in each of the large restora- tions that I made at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, I adopted the vertical caudal fin for the Ichthyosaurus Platyodon and Communis. The energetic President and the authorities of the College of the City of New York, may be congratulated on the acquisition of so good a specimen of this interesting fossil, which shows in every part the perfection of Creative Power, and which though it lived so many thousands of years ago, yet possesses the most finished perfect organic 204 machinery, as exhibited in the adjustable sclerotic plates of the eye, enabling this ancient animal to adapt the refined mechanism of vision to the varying degrees of light and dis- tance, then in the muddy waters of the Liassic sea of England and other parts of Europe, as now by the eyes of owls, eagles and diving birds. This animal was contemporary with the Plesiosaurus and Teliosaurus, which make a trio of perfect construction, which certainly exhibits no nearer relation to mere primitive Proto- plasm, than the highest expression of animal life in the present day. I trust this instructive fossil may form the nucleus of a collection of fossil remains, that will constitute the basis of the most effective adjuncts to popular education, commensurate with the future grandeur and progress of the City of New York. The following paper was read, Notes on the Meteorology of the Month of March, 1871. By Pror. O. W. Morris. The temperature of March was in the reverse order of the old proverb, “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb,” for the lamb came at the beginning, and the lion in the last part. On the 1st the thermometer was at 405°, on the 8d at 59°, on the 4th 38°5°, and on the 5th 35°. The mean on the 3d was 538°83°, the warmest of the month. The thermometer kept above 40° till the 13th, and the mean, above 40° till the 16th, when it was 38-4’, it then went above 40° and kept so till the 28th, when was the lowest mean 86°1°. The maximum was on the 8d, 59° and the minimum on the 29th, 33°, a range of 26°. The mean for the month was 44°73°, which was warmer than any other March in 10 years, except that of 1865, which was ‘89° warmer only. The mean of the Barometer was 29°857 inches on the Ist. On the 20th, it attained its maximum, 80-211 inches, and its minimum on the 27th, 29318 inches, both at 7 A. M., 205 giving a range of ‘893 inch. The mean on the 81st, was 29°827 inches, ‘03 inch lower than on the 1st. The monthly mean was 29-888 inches. A beautiful Lunar Corona was observed on the 2d. Lunar haloes, on the 5th and 29th. Solar haloes, on the 11th, 20th and 26th. Snow onthe 4th, 14th and 26th. Thunder on the 12th, during a long rain; and a brilliant Meteor in the morning of the 25th. Rain fell to the depth of 5:6 inches, which was ‘94 inch more than the average for March in 10 years before. On March 3d, 1861, the mean temperature was 8°7° higher than in March 3d, 1871. In 1868 it was 6:26’. April 10th, 1871. The President in the chair, Thirteen persons present. The following paper was read. Notes on some Microscopie Organisms. By Pror. A. M. Epwarps. On the morning of the seventeenth of April, 1869, I col- lected in the water of a spring at Weehawken, New Jersey, some fine filaments of an Alga, which, upon taking home, I, as is always my custom, at once examined by means of my microscope. What I then saw interested me so much, that I spent all the rest of that day and the most of the two succeed - ing days in studying it. The nineteenth happened to be the day of meeting of the Lyceum of Natural History, and I then took the opportunity of communicating what I had seen ; illustrating my remarks by means of carefully made drawings and diagrams. The interest shown in my communication proved to me that my observation was of importance. But, unfortunately, at that time the Lyceum did not publish its PROG. LYC, NAT. HIST. N, Y.— VOL. L 14 206 Proceedings, and my remarks were not put into print; there- fore what I had seen was only known to the members present. The next evening the Microscopical Society had its meeting, and I again made public my observations, and to all there present they were new and startling. Hence I was induced to repeat my description with more detail at the Salem meet- ing of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in the following August. My engagements were such, however, that I was prevented from putting my obser- vations upon paper, and I did not endeavor to do so, as I understood that the Association could not provide for the colored plate which I considered nécessary for illustration. The consequence has been that they have remained unprinted up to the present time. Now I desire to have them recorded, the more especially as, from all I can learn, my observations are unique, or, at least, have not been seen and published by any oneelse. At the same time, I wish now to place upon record some further discoveries connected with the life- history of certain animal organisms of minute size which I consider of importance and throwing considerable light upon a rather obscure portion of Biology; namely the so-called subject of Spontaneous generation.” And I must say that I cannot but think that the use of this title, to designate the phenomena considered, is extremely inappropriate and had best be discarded, as it does not properly indicate what is meant and at the same time I am sure, often prejudices persons in advance against even considering the record of experiments or published deductions. A really more correct name to use would be that proposed by Prof. Huxley, of Abiogenesis, until the whole matter has had a fairer hearing than there is a desire to accord it in certain quarters’at the present time. Such plain and evidently truthful records as those of Pouchet and Bastian cannot be sneered aside by using the weight of any name, however worthy of honor and respect, and, whatever the deductions to be drawn therefrom, the spirit of fairness, which should always influence the acts and words of truly-scientific observers demands that no aspersions should be cast upon what they, or others working in a 207 similar direction, may have already or should hereafter pub lish. I speak thus, for I have myself, in a degree, had to encounter much of this very unfairness, and I shall hereafter claim an immunity from it when I publish, as it is my in- tention to do, some experiments and deductions of my own, tending as I hope, to assist in elucidating this interesting and important subject. In the mean time and even aside from this connection, I desire to call attention to the value of the observations I have been so fortunate as to make and which I now, for the first time, put into print. It is my intention to make this communication as brief as possible, the more particularly as, although the observations described appear at first sight to be tolerably complete, yet, for my own part, I must consider them as but partial and fragmentary and merely as memoranda of a phase in the hitherto insufficiently studied life-history of a group of plants a more thorough knowledge of which is of the utmost im- portance and interest. Therefore I thus set down what I have myself seen, intending to follow it up with more ex- tended researches as opportunity offers. At the outset I would remark that the investigation of such phenomena as I now mention require no more special apparatus than a tolerably good microscope furnished with a magnifying power of about four hundred diameters and which is usually and conveniently obtained by employing a one-quarter or one-fifth of an inch objective on the usual ten-inch length of tube or body and a B or No. 2 Ocular. But what is cer- tainly required is a large share of patience and perseverance, as is, perhaps, exemplified by the fact that while studing this subject, as I‘have mentioned, at one time I remained at the microscope, only at long intervals removing my eye from it, for the greater part of three consecutive days. That is to say certain points were observed about the middle of one day and all the rest of that day and evening, the whole of the next day and evening and nearly all of the succeeding day were spent in these investigations watching the changes and transformations I am about to describe. And this was only at one time, for many hours thereafter were spent in the same 208 way, and I feel sure that it is only by such earnest application that we can acquire any knowledge of the phenomena peculiar to what we know as life which will be of any lasting value. The plant I examined belonged to the genus Gidogonium of Link. The particular species was undetermined and when it is considered upon what slight and evidently artificial char- acters species have been founded among the Cryptogamia I am sure that I will be excused from venturing upon such delicate ground, especially as by so doing I run no danger of offending those who do not recognize the existence of species at all, or, on the other hand, puzzling those who do recognize the existence of natural species but are not anxious to have them multiplied. The form observed is extremely common, growing in clear springs in various sections of the country, and is especially plentiful around the city of New York. To the unaided eye it appears as a bunch of fine filaments of a light green color and by the unknowing collector of microscopic wonders is usually classed under the inclusive title of “ Con- ferve.” My first investigations were made in the month of April, a season when this peculiar phase of this plant appears to be common. And here I would impress upon students of nature, and more especially those who use the microscope to assist them in their investigations, the great advantage to be derived from making collections early in the spring. =) 21-41 CiOve— 0180s. All Osi 0:38 11-74 which in connection with other facts, entitle us, I believe, in really considering these bases to have belonged to the albite of the rock. Al,O;s = 11:74 = SiO; = 30°79 ISO) eS RY SOR 9.97 CaO = O18 = SiO; = 0:29 18°79 41:05 18-79 59°84 Albite. In subtracting the silica of the albite from the total silica found, less the part dissolved in hydrochloric acid, we should obtain the amount of quartz, a figure which will be found also in subtracting the albite from the part undissolved by the acid, making allowance for 0:29 per ct. Al,O,, which we counted dissolved ; thus we obtain 95-79 Insoluble in Acid. 59°84 Albite. 35°95 77°28 Silica total. 0°29 41:05 Silica of Albite. 36°24 Quartz. 36°23 Quartz. The total composition may be then represented in the follow- ing way: 59°84—A bite. 36°23—Quartz. 0:42—Silica soluble. 0-82— Water. 2°76—Bases dissolved (3°05 less 0-29.) 100-07 The other three are calculated in the same way. 248 2. Of grey color, yielding a light reddish powder and very fine- grained, 95°72 Insoluble in acid. 80°23 SiO; (80°53—0°30) 15:49 Bases combined with silica. Undissolved bases, and combined with silica. Al.03==9°80 CaO =0°30 MgO —0:32 NaO =5-30 15°72 These fizures agree sufficiently. In calculating the amount of Alumina again, required by the protoxides we find: CaO = 0°30 = Al.O; = 0°55 MgO = 0°32 = Al.0O; = 0°82 10°17 agreeing closely enough with the amount found, to warrant the supposition of having belonged to feldspar. INO 325730 Seo CaO = 0°30) _ nae MgO = 0:32 fir a 15-72 84-74 15°72 50:46 Albite. In determining the quartz in the way indicated, we find it to amount to 95-72 Insoluble in acid. 50:46 Albite. 80.23 Silica total. 34:74 Silica of Albite. 45°26 0:23 45:49 Quartz. 45°49 Quartz. 249 The composition of the rock is, therefore, as follows : 50°46 Albite. 45°49 Quartz. 0:30 Silica soluble. 1:14 Water. 2°91 Bases dissolved (3:14 less 0°23.) 100.30 8. Coarse-grained, red, yielding a red powder. 89°58 Insoluble in acid. 73°37 Si03(73°79—0°42) 16:21 Bases combined with Silica. Undissolved bases and combined with silica. Al.O3 = 9:92 NaO = 6:08 16:00 There is a sufficient correspondence between these two figures. The amount of alumina required by the soda would be 10°10 p. c instead of 9°92 which agrees almost exactly again, so that we have for albite. Al,O; =9:92=Si0;=26:'00 NaO'=6-08—= “ = 885 16:00 34°83 16:00 50°83 Albite. The quantity of quartz is found to be 89°58 Insoluble in acid, 50°83 Albite. 73°37 Silica total. 34°83 Silica of Albite. 88°75 0°21 38°54 Quartz. 38°54 Quartz. 250 The composition of the rock is then as follows: 50°83 Albite. 38°54 Quartz. 0:42 Silica soluble. 1:23 Water. 9°17 Bases dissolved (8°96 plus 0°21.) 100-19 4, This specimen consisted of white and very light brown grains agglutinated apparently by a light green, and in some places black, compound of copper. The grains of feldspar seemed to have been decomposed and replaced by chrysocolla. It contained no carbonic acid. 88°69 Insoluble in acid. 75°52 $10;(75:95—0°43) 13°17 Bases combined with silica. Bases undissolved and combined with silica. Al,O;=9°52 NaO =3:58 13°10 The difficulty of calculating the constitution of this rock is much greater than in the preceding samples, as we find more than two minerals. The soda in forming feldspar would require, Al.O; = 5°95 NaO = 38°58 SiO; = 20°80 30°33 Albite. The rest of the alumina, as a remnant of decomposed feld- spar, requires all its silica. Al,O; = 8°57 SiOs s— + 251 16°08 Clay. The copper, which is not in the form of carbonate, calculated 251 as chrysocolla, which the large amount of water seems to in- dicate, requires, CuO” = 6:51 SiO; == 4-92 HO = 295 (2Eq.) 14°38 Chrysocolla, The total composition being perhaps represented thus: 30°33 Albite. 16°08 Clay. 14°38 Chrysocolla. 87.29 Quartz. 0:48 Silica soluble. 0:84 Water. 0°58 Bases soluble. 99°93 5. Shale of a dark brownish red color, yrelding a brown red powder. The iron of this sample, which according to the views of Prof. Wurtz is in the form of limonite, would require exactly the amount of water found. Fe.0; = 16°46 (1 Eq.) Ho! A gs (3 Eq.) 22:01 Limonite. In subtracting this and the soluble Bases from the total amounts found, we obtain SiOs = 44-81 = 60-51. cont, O11. — 82°27 AlsOs = 2029 = 27-%2 a =" 12:02 CaO 4478) ==) OOS dc aay alos MgO == 1 ee RI se OLS NaO = DEBT) ee BIS 6 =a OO 73°72 100-00 In considering this a true compound, we find the oxygen of the bases one half of that of silica, but whether we are en- titled to do so, as Prof. Wurtz thinks, he believing it to be disintegrated mica, muscovite, will not attempt to decide. 252 In conclusion, I may state that I am well aware of the want of positive proof for the existence of the minerals assumed in these rocks, but many facts seem to support such an assump- tion. The water given is basic water, only dried material having been used for analysis, and may have been contained in the feldspar. The President, Dr. J. S. NewBERRY made some remarks on the investigations of Dr. Schweitzer, and said he con- sidered them of great importance and value. Pror. C. A. SEELY made some remarks on Anthracite, said to come from New Mexico and the Western Territories. He was not aware that anthracite had been found in those localities. The President, Dr. NEWBERRY, said that anthracites are found in the far West, but they are of later geological age than those of Pennsylvania. ‘They are T'riassic Cretaceous, or Tertiary Lignites, changed by local Volcanic action, as erup- tions of trap. One deposit of Anthracite near Santa Fe, New Mexico is a Cretaceous Lignite. The Anthracite of Los Bronce, Sonora, is of Triassic age. The most beautiful of all western Anthracite is that of Queen Charlottes Island, off the N. W. Coast. This is a metamorphozed Lignite, probably Cretaceous. The Coals of Central America were examined years ago by a geologist, Dr. Evans, sent by the United States Govern- ment. A Report on them was published by Congress. They are Miocene tertiary Lignites, of medium quality. Mr. KE. G. SQuIER said that he had observed Coal in San Salvador resembling Cannel, and in Honduras, Lignite in considerable quantity. In Peru 14,000 feet above the sea, coal is found and is used for reducing the ores of the vicinity. 258 October 2d, 1871. Prof. C, A. Joy in the chair. Twenty-four persons present. The following paper was read, by title, Notes on North American Crustacez in the Museum of the Smith- sonian Institute. By W. Srimpson, M. D. Mr. J. Hyatt gave an account of the Aurora of September 7th, 1871, as seen in Dutchéss County, N. Y., and which was characterized by its whiteness. Pror. T. Ea@Leston gave a brief account of the recent Progress of Metallurgy in Europe. In the metallurgy of iron the most striking change is the construction of blast furnaces with no exterior of ordinary masonry. The fire brick is supported by iron columns and braces. At Konigshutte and Gleiwitz in Silesia, this construction is effected upon old furnaces from the bosh up, but in the vicinity of Borsickswerk the furnace is new and is constructed without any exterior masonry. Another striking improvement is the attempt to turn blast furnace slags to profitable account in the manufac- ture of paving stones, building blocks and cement, and the utillization of the granulated slag for brick-making and other manufactures. A very decided change in the machinery for the manufac- ture of iron is in progress. Most of the new rolling mills doing heavy work use reversible engines. They not only save time but the labor of lifting the material over the rolls, In the middle mills the three high rolls and in the little mill trains one in front of the other are coming into use. Hach machine has its own engine, and is independent therefore of any delays or stoppages in any other part of the works. In the blast furnaces upright blast engines which economise PROC. LYC. NAT. HIST., N. ¥.— VOL. IL a 254 space, and which are quite as strong and much more conye- nient, are taking the place of the expensive beam engine. In the metallurgy of steel, the Bessemer process makes steady progress often in connection with the Seimen’s Martens process. ‘The most noticeable feature, however, in steel manu- facture, is the production of ingots of immense size, the weight of a single ingot having reached in Krupp’s works, at Essen, to 40 tons. Such ingots as these require powerful ma- chinery to work them, and peculiar furnaces to heat them. Krupp has constructed a 50 ton hammer, and proposes to build one of 100 tons for this purpose. The reheating furnaces have their hearths built on wheels. The ingots give out so much heat that it would be impossible to handle them by the ordinary methods. The great‘hammer is therefore served by four large steam cranes. The arrangements for moving such immense masses when cold are very perfect. All of the buildings are provided with cranes at right angles to each other, arranged in such a way that a piece of any weight can be transported without apparent effort. In the metallurgy of the other metals, the most striking changes are the introduction of mechanical Patinsonage, and the almost complete substitution of the Zine process of de- silverization for Patinsonage. The Zinc desilverization has itself undergone some important modifications, and it is expected that even small quantities of gold may be separated by a very slight change in the detail of working. The machines which were first used to produce the mixture of lead and zine are being given up. In the metallurgy of lead the most striking change is the introduction of the Piltz furnace, in the place of the rectangu- lar furnaces. The Rachette furnace does not seem likely to have any future. The highest encomium bestowed upon it was, that it was no better than any other. In the metallurgy of zinc, the introduction of the regenera- tor system seems to be almost universally determined upon, both in the Belgian and Silesian processes. The Bohetius regenerator furnace is received with general favor. In the Belgian process there are single furnaces near Liege, contain- 255 ing 168 retorts working successfully with both regenerator systems. The introduction of machine-made retorts in the Belgian process is gaining ground. The Silesian process in Silesia, has been modified by the introduction of two rows of mufiles in the place of one as formerly. There is a tendency every where to utilize waste products. In Silesia, furnaces are being constructed for the sole purpose of working over lead slag heaps a century or more old, and in all metallurgical operations the tendency is to make use of poorer ores. Thus in Silesia they work iron ores of 18 per cent. iron, and zine ores of 9 per cent. These ores of zinc are so poor that it is impossible to use the double tier of muffles, and yet with the regenerator system it is possible to treat them. . He also made some remarks on False Gems and their Optical Characters, illustrated by means of specimens. He said that since the study of the optical characters of minerals has become so important there has been a very great demand for sections of minerals. There are certain minerals, such as Ruby and Rutile, which are not easily procured, the one be- cause of its use as a gem, and the other because it is so fre- quently twinned or fissured, that good sections for optical purposes are not easily obtained. A considerable number of very beautiful specimens have been sold in Europe during the past two or three years which show most of the properties of these minerals. Mr. Stegg, of Hombourg, first doubted them on account of their beauty. He noticed that certain sections of rutile were negative when they should be positive. This induced him to take one of the preparations to pieces, and he found that it consisted of a thin section of Calcite, covered with a plate of gelatine which gave it the proper color. The imitation in Ruby is more deceptive, since Ruby is negative. Mr. Stegg prepared for me, at my request, the three specimens exhibited, for the mineralogical cabinet of the School of Mines. Half of each specimen, artificial Ruby, Rutile and Mellite show the Calcite, the other half shows the Calcite covered with the colored gelatine. bo Ol >) October 9th, 1871. The President in the chair. Twenty-four persons present. Pror. A. M. Epwarps presented, in the name of Lt. Col. J. J. Woodward, three Photo-Micrographs of Microscopic Test- Objects, and read the following paper. Note accompanying three Photographs of Degeeria Domestica as seen with Black Ground Illuminations. By Lr. Cou. J. J. Woopwarp, M. D., Asst. Surg. U.S. Army. The scale represented in these photographs, was selected from a slide presented to the Army Medical Museum, by Mr. S. J. McIntire of London. The photograph was made by mono-chromatic sunlight, obtained by passing a parallel pencil of sunlight reflected from a heliostat and plane mirror, through a cell containing a solution of the Ammonio Sulphate of Copper. The illumination was managed by the parabola of Mr. Wenham, aided by a small pace lens fixed with oil of cloves to the bottom of the slide, as described in Mr. Wenham’s paper in the monthly microscopical journal for July, 1871. The small truncated lens was presented to the museum by Mr. Wenham. The magnifying power is one thousand diameters, obtained by the immersion 7s in. of Powell & Lealand without an eye- piece. Photographs No. 1 and 2 are favorable to Mr. Wenbama's well-known views of the nature of the markings. The first is slightly out of focus, but shows the high-light on the knob of each exclamation mark. The second shows the exclamation marks, with cross bars between as Mr. Wenham describes them. The third shows double rows of corrugated ribs precisely 257 as described in my memorandum, on the test Podura, a copy of which was previously sent. As the time of exposure required to make these pictures, was less than three minutes, I cannot agree with Mr. Wenham’s opinion that the object is seen by light reflected from above only. I believe on the contrary, that the scales being semi-transparent they are illumined chiefly by rays passing through them from below, and hence that the surface appearances are complicated by the optical properties of the structures beneath. The differences between the three pictures result simply from slight variations in the direction of the incident pencil of light, the position of the truncated lens and parabola being the same in all. Mr. P. T. AUSTEN gave an account of some investigations which he had recently made into the Comparative Merits of the various Methods proposed for the Analysis of Cinchona Bark. The gravimetric methods he found were almost without exception, tedious and unreliable. Special attention was given therefore to Glenard and Guillermond’s method, pub- lished by them in 1859, and modified in 1861. After describ- ing the process, the speaker remarked that some modifications were necessary to make it accurate. The standard of the author’s solution was incorrect, and an improved filtering corlk for drawing off the etherial solution was described. It was found best to use the bark in the condition of a moderately fine powder, and to employ slaked in preference to quick lime. With due regard to these precautions, this method was found to answer very well. Itindicates only the amount of Quinine it is true, but this is the principal measure of the value of the bark. It is rapidly executed, and gives results which agree very closley with each other. It can be specially recommended for commercial or technical analysis. The speaker next described a new salt of Quinine, formed by bringing together an Etherial solution of Quinine and an Alcoholic solution of Meconic acid. The salt, which is easily soluble in hot water, separates on cooling, in beautiful acicular 258 crystals, with a silky lustre. Dried over Sulphuric acid and analyzed, the results obtained showed its composition to be CH > CH NiO. C;H;0; >C2oHaN2O2 Solutions of this salt yield the characteristic reactions of Quinine and Meconic acid. October 16th, 1871. The President in the chair. ‘Twenty-seven persons present. Dr. L. FEUCHTWANGER exhibited a specimen of a Branch of a Tree, from Long Branch, N. J., which was of interest on account of its conversion into pyrites; also specimens of Calcareous Incrustations from a cave near Richfield Springs, N. Y; also a specimen of Isoliles gigus, from Trenton Falls, Ny. Pror. A. M. Epwarps exhibited specimens of so-called Claystones, from Hanover, N. H. He had had an opportunity of observing the formation of these concretions during the last summer. They were formed in a cliff of fine sand on the shore of the Connecticut river, and when first seen are very friable, but gradually harden so that at last a conglomerate results, in which, in most cases, the grains are very fine, but occasionally the particles united together are coarse, as in one of the specimens shown, where a stone nearly an inch in diameter occurs. Large slabs of the same material are found at Norwich, Vt. A chemical examination reveals the fact that the agglutinating material is for the most part Calcium Carbonate with some Alumina, for Hydrogen Chloride, (muri- atic acid) dissolves both Calcium and Aluminum. He thought concretions of this character were of interest in connection with the matter of the genesis of sandstones which had en- gaged the attention of the Society, for some time past He 259 also exhibited specimens of crystallized garnets of good color and clear, from Hanover, N. H., where they occur in an ir- regular vein in syenitic gneiss. Pror. D. S. MARTIN read a paper on the Coal of Orange Co., N. Y., in which he gave some account of the coal mine re- cently reported as discovered at Munroe, N. Y. The Triassic formation is bounded on the north-west by a range of metamorphic hills, which forms part of the great Appalachian system, reaching up from the blue mountains of Pennsylvania, and striking the Hudson river at Peekskill, where it forms the Hudson Highlands. On the opposite, or western side of this ridge, are found successive ranges of Palzeozoic beds, of which the age isin dispute. The coal- mine of Munroe, lies upon the western side, near the summit of an isolated hill known as Schunemunk mountain, just beyond this principal range of metamorphic heights, and over- looking the broad Wallkill valley, westward to the hills back of Port Jervis, which run into Catskills. Here an excavation has been made into the rock, which is a dark grey argilla- ceous sandstone, indistinguishable from the ordinary “ Hamilton flags.” Much of itis black with carbonaceous matter, but very little coal has yet. been found, though the workings have been carried on for some months. The point of greatest interest, however, is the determination of the age of the rock, from its fossils. These are for the most part obscure, being apparently mingled with the debris of a frag- mental deposit; but enough has been obtained to fix the age as Devonian, and probably of the Hamilton Group. The forms are Lepidodendron (probably L. Gaspeanum,) Calamites, Psilophyton, and Dr. Newberry thinks, Dadoxylon. The prospect of obtaining workable amounts of coal is not by any means flattering ; but the scientific results are of much interest. Prof Cook in his recent report on the Geology of New Jersey, has considered this district to be lower silurian, on the theory that the series ascends regularly, in going west- ward from the Highland range. But it isnow seen that Prof. Mather was nearer the truth, in his conception, that the 260 Wallkill valley lies in an eroded anticlinal, with an ascending series of rocks toward the hills on either side. Pror. H. Wurtz inquired of Dr. Newberry, whether any recent information had come to him, in the course of his in- quiries into this subject, regarding the present state of the great Gas Well at West Bloomfield, New York. On receiving a negative reply, Prof. Wurtz, made the fol- lowing remarks : Nearly two years since, I gave to the Lyceum an account of a visit to the Ontario Co. (West Bloomfield) well, and of a scientific examination thereof. This paper, together with more extended reports and discussions drawn up by me about the same time, was widely circulated, and I am informed that a company was organized to convey the gas to towns through- out that section, but have no special information of their operations. ‘The flame from the five-inch bore-hole, 500 feet deep, was some 80 feet in height; and measurements of the flow of gas have been reported as high as five cubic feet per second, equal to 482,000 feet per day. My analyses showed 823 vols. per cent. of marsh gas, and 10 per cent. of carbonic acid, with 3 per cent. of illuminating gases, proved by analysis to be probably of the olefine group. The illuminating power was found to be from 5 to 6 candles, and it was inferred that purification from carbonic acid would give a gas equal to that served out to us here in New York city. In heating power, I have calculated this daily flow to be equal to about 14 tons of anthracite, which, at say $6 per ton, amounts to the in- terest, at 6 per cent., on $511,000. This, up to the time of my visit, four years, and, for aught I know, up to the present time, six years, has run to waste. I would here say that it is not fair towards gaseous fuel to value it according to a com- parison of its absolute calorific capacity, with that of coal; for with the latter there are many causes of inevitable waste which can be entirely avoided with gas. Theoretically, one ton of anthracite is equal to about 30,000 feet of marsh gas; but practically, it will be found equal to less than 20,000 feet. 261 Fearful and wonderful tales were told me of the enormeus pressures developed in this well by confinement ; for example, that two men with sledges had driven into the upper: end of the tube a carefully whittled plug of hard wood, as hard and fast as possible; but that scarce had they ceased driving when the plug was ejected, with a stupendous uproar, and shot up to a height whereto the eye of man reacheth not. This narra- tive I do not endorse, and it does not seem calculated to command conviction. I wish to take the opportunity here to add some views of my own, bearing on the important questions of the future development, to the highest attainable degree, by the appl- cation of science and art, of these treasures of Nature. The points to be considered are three, the Geology, the Chemistry, and the Engineering of gas wells. 1. GEOLOGY. This subject is one upon which we have already some valuable light, though many obscure questions yet remain, to be cleared away as explorations advance. At the same time the scientific consideration, even of our present develop- ments, cannot fail to be of great service, in guiding our future work. | Upon this subject I had many consultations, some years since, with my friend Dr. R. P. Stevens (now at the Guayana gold fields in South America,) whose familiarity with the geology of the eastern United States is minute. He believed the gas of the Bloomfield well comes from the Marcellus shale, which crops out some miles north of the place, dipping south. This shale is so black as often to have been mistaken for coal, and sometimes will even burn. This he stated to be the lowest or deepest gas-producing horizon he had knowledge of. The facts stated, however, of the Buffalo well, 630 feet deep, which must have been sunk in rocks of the Corniferous period (Upper Helderberg,) below the Marcellus, seem clearly to indicate another productive horizon far below this, and even altogether below the Devonian; and, as at Buffalo, the Lower Helderberg (the upper member of the 262 Siltrian,) as well as the Oriskany (the lower member of the Devonian) are both absent; and the Salina rocks are there many hundred feet thick, it seem probable that this latter group produces the gas there. This consideration points to another belt of gas wells that may be opened across New York, further north than the geological latitude of the Bloomfield well. Without maps it is difficult to make this subject clear, and I can but sum up by stating the proba- bility that across the State of New York, from east to west, at least three belts of gas wells will be obtained, and that special success will be dependent chiefly on the selection of points for boring where the three gas-charged horizons, the Salina, Marcellus and Genesee, lie some 500 feet and upwards in depth. Nearer the outcrops, where the depth is less, the pressure must have been reduced by leakage, in the shape of gas springs, so common in this range of country. Still there is no reason why, in many places where the spontaneous flow is sluggish, great volumes should not be obtained by the application of exhausters to tubed wells, such exhausters being operated, as I have further to propose, by Hugon Gas- engines supplied with a portion of the gas itself. Torpedoes, also, will no doubt find useful application in this connection. Dr. Stevens believes the Subcarboniferous also to be some- times gas-producing, and that the Venango county gas wells were from Upper Devonian, or the Chemung and Portage, an opinion, which we have heard also from Dr. Newberry. In Canada, at Petrolia and elsewhere, according to Sterry Hunt, the chief gas and petroleum-bearing rocks belong to the Corniferous. So that we have here, widely spread over the immense area of the Devonian and Silurian basin of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley, no less than five, probably six, beds of rock indicated, which, wherever lying deep enough, and thick and porous enough, will be found to pour out combustible gas when tapped, in the bountiful and apparent- ly exhaustless way we have seen. I believe, then, that I am fully justified in the editorial dictum indulged by me long since, in the AMERICAN GaAs-LIGHT JOURNAL, that: \ 263 “Tt may be accepted with implicit confidence as a} fact, that there are vast districts of country throughout the United States within which, by judicious exploration, an immense number of such fountains of natural gas may be developed ; furnishing a fuel which raises itself out of the mine, and which may be made to transport itself, up hill and down dale, to any point required ; independently of seasons and circum- stances, miners’ strikes and railroad monopolists to the contrary notwithstanding.” 2. CHEMISTRY. Two prominent chemical points present themselves, one chiefly of scientific, and the other of practical interest; re- lating, the one to the mode of origin, and the other to the mode of purification, of the gas. To both I have given much thought, and to the latter much experiment and in- vention. ‘This latter, however, I shall not now enter upon. As to my views of the mode of formation of the gas that exists now in such enormous compression in these different strata; I ask first, What 7s this gas chemically? Always essentially, from whatever horizon obtained, it is marsh gas, that hydrocarbon of all others which contains the most hydrogen, and the least carbon; the compound which naturally and necessarily forms the final residue of the abstraction of carbon from organic matter by a powerful oxidising agent; since in nature we scarce find elementary hydrogen as such a residue. Now what oxidising agents are there, or rather, what have there been in all these rocks, that could effect such a combustion? I reply, omides of iron, now represented in these rocks by iron sulphides, showing the iron oxides to have passed through the forms of sulphates. IT again ask; What analogous action have we now going on everywhere on the present surface of the earth? The evolu- tion of marsh gas from the black mud of a stagnant pool, loaded with vegetable matter, and blackened by sulphide of iron, which is occupied in conveying the oxygen of the water to the carbon of the mud. Every boy who has thrust a 264 stick into such mud, bringing up a stream of marsh gas bub- bles, has opened a gas well on a small scale. This view of Gas-Genesis is but a corollary of my theory of Coal-Genesis, laid before this Lyceum, Jan. 10, 1870, which makes the oxidating action of ferrous sulphate on car- bon the cause of formation of coal, together with its accom- panying iron minerals. It will be remembered that coal and marsh gas are usually concomitant, in depth at least. At the epochs of deposition of these rocks then, the basin of the great North American continental lagoon was filled to varying depths with ferruginous mud, highly charged with organic matter, which after being covered with other beds (of sandy character) during the process of induration into shales (a process without doubt due to the same action) underwent an internal fermentation, such as I have described. The car- bonic acid, always formed at the same time, chiefly disappears, from its solubility in water, through which it is transferred to the bases, lime, magnesia and ferrous oxide, always abundant | in such rocks. 3. ENGINEERING POINTs. In the handling of these gases, ordinary engineering, even ordinary gas-engineering practice, will not furnish rules of much value. The enormous pressures to be dealt with, pres- sures moreover of a medium which is so subtile, will require special appliances and contrivances. Probably with regard to these it is not becoming t@ me, belonging toa different profession, to offer anything more than mere suggestion, and I shall therefore be satisfied with pointing out here what ap- pears to me a new and inviting field for the scientific engineer. After the gas has been controlled and confined, other engi- neering problems come in; inasmuch as many of these wells will be so situated that it will be highly desirable to convey the gas to long distances through suitable ducts. It will be, in fact is now, a problem to be determined by experiment, as to proper relations of length and diameter of duct, to such heavy pressures. For pressures of a few inches of water, all that is usually dealt with in gas-engineering, an empirical 265 formula has been arrived at, and isin common use, which is regarded as satisfactory, but, when we come to pressures of hundreds of feet of water, such as we must have in some of these well holes, I do not believe it has any reliability. Other problems relate to the best places at which to bore, in view of the varying contour of the surface, to reach the gas horizons with least work. These are problems which must be solved jointly by the engineer and the geologist. It may not be without interest to attempt some calculations as to the amouut-of gas that can be relied upon in the future from this source. The gas has been known to expel columns of water more than 700 feet in height. It would be fair then to admit the existence of tensions of compression, of twenty atmospheres. Ifthe porosity of the rock is only five per cent. of its volume, the whole gas would then assume at the surface the volume of the rock itself Then if the three New York belts are 200 miles long and equal in mass to 10 miles wide of 100 feet thickness (a moderate allowance) they will supply more than 8000 wells like the Bloomfield, for over 100 years. These figures, though stupendous, do not amount to practical inexhaustibility, and I suggest that legislative action ought to be taken in the gas-producing States, to prevent waste of this precious natural product. It may be objected that no man can be prevented from boring any holes he chooses on his own farm, and from leaving them unsealed afterwards ; but it appears to me, on the contrary, that the same principle ought to apply here, as in the case of streams of water on the surface, which no man could legally, or with impunity, divert from his neighbor’s property, and cause to run to mere waste. In conclusion, I will venture to enounce, as my own con- viction, which (however visionary it may be deemed by many; I claim to be strictly founded on induction from known facts), that throughout large sections of the United States (through- out the middle tier of counties in western New York, for ex- ample), every town, nay, every house in the land, ought to be both warmed and lighted by gas drawn from the bountiful bosom of Mother Earth, without money and without price. ~ 266 The following paper was read: On the Gas Wells of Ohio and Pennsylvania. By Dr. J. S. NEWBERRY. Carburetted Hydrogen escapes from the earth in innumer- able localities. It is evolved in the working of coal mines, and constitutes “fire-damp.’ It is also a constant associate of petroleum, and always issues in greater or less quantity, from oil wells. It is given off too in the decomposition of recent vegetable matter, and may be seen bubbling up through the water of all pools in which plants are decaying. When it escapes from the earth it may be generally traced to beds of bituminous matter from which it is apparently derived, such as coal, lignite, carbonaceous shale, asphalt, oil, &. From these substances it may be obtainea by artificial distillation, and is evolved by the spontaneous decomposition, which all organic tissues suffer on exposure. As Carburetted Hydrogen produces heat and light in combustion, it is largely manufactured and used for the illumination of cities and residences. So extensively is it employed for this purpose, that it may be regarded as an indispensable element in our modern civilization. It is not strange then, that efforts have been made to utilize the im- mense quantities of gas which flow from wells and springs in so many different countries. The Chinese have, for hundreds of years, used for lighting and heating, the gas which emanates from the earth, in several provinces of their country. In the United States, the gas which issues from the salt wells of the Kanawha valley, has been for many years employed as a fuel in the evaporation of the brine. The town of Fredonia, in western New York, has for more than forty years been fully, or partially lighted by gas, which issues from springs at that place. In the borings made for oil in the yarious oil districts of the western states, the gas which has been produced so abundantly, has been generally regarded as a useless, frequently, an inconvenient and danger- 267 ous product. Within a year or two past, however, this gas has been utilized in numerous localities, and already a large number of wells have been bored for the express purpose of obtaining it. In some cases these gas wells have been highly productive, furnishing an abundance of material for heating and lighting in its most convenient and manageable form, so that this now deserves to be reckoned as one of the important elements in the mineral resources of our country. As this method of procuring carburetted hydrogen gas forms in this country a new industry, and one which will probably assume great importance, a few words in reference to its present condition and prospects, may not be without interest to the public. I therefore extract from my notes a few facts in regard to some of the most interesting of our gas producing districts and wells. In the oil district of the Upper Cumber- land, in Kentucky, gas accumulates in such quantities beneath the sheets of Lower Silurian limestone, that many hundred tons of rock and earth are sometimes with great violence blown out. These explosions have received the local name of “ gas volcanos.” In Ohio, gas escapes from nearly all the wells bored for oil in the oil producing districts. Of these, two bored by Peter Neff, Esq., near Kenyon College, in Knox Co., presents some remarkable features. These wells were bored in 1866, at the same geological horizon as that which furnishes the oil on Oil Creek. At the depth of about six hundred feet in each well, a fissure was struck from which gas issued in such volume as to throw out the boring tools, and form a jet of water more than one hundred feet in height. One of these wells has been tubed so as to exclude the water, and gas has continued for five years to escape from it, in such quantity as to produce as it rushes through a two and a half inch pipe, a sound that may be heard at a considerable dis- tance. When ignited, the gas forms u jet of flame three feet in diameter and fifteen feet long. The other well, which has never been tubed, constantly ejects at intervals of one minute, the water that fills it. It thus forms an intermittent fountain one hundred and twenty feet in height. The derrick set over this well has a height of sixty feet. In winter it becomes 268 incased in ice and forms a huge translucent chimney, through which at regular intervals a mingled current of gas and water rushes to twice its height. By cutting through this chimney at its base, and igniting the gas in a paroxysm, it affords a magnificient spectacle—a fountain of water and fire which brilliantly illuminates its ice chimney, No accurate measure has been made of the gas escaping from these wells, but it is estimated to be sufficient to light a large city. , At West Bloomfield, N. Y., is another gas well not unlike these I have described. This is bored to the depth of 500 ft. reaching down to the vicinity of the Marcellus bituminous shales. From some measurements made by Prof. Wurtz, it appears that about five cubic feet of gas escape from this well every second. It is proposed to utilize this large amount of valuable combustible, by conducting it through pipes to Rochester, a distance of twenty miles. At Erie, Penn., there are now twenty-five gas wells in suc- cessful operation, most of which have been bored for the special purpose of obtaining gas. Mr. Henry Newton, my assistant in the School of Mines, has recently made at my request a careful examination of all of these wells, and has given me a detailed description of each. I quote one or.two of these for the purpose of giving a clear idea of their general character. Ist. N. Jarecki & Co., (Petroleum Brass Works,) have two wells, the first bored for oil in 1864, 1200 feet deep. No oil was obtained, but brackish water and an abundant supply of gas. ‘This is used to light a few houses. The second well was bored in March, 1871, for gas, is 700 feet deep, and is used to light the shop and heat the boilers. The supply is not at all regular, and has perceptibly failed since the Conrad well was sunk near it. The heating power of the gas, from well No. 2, is roughly estimated at from 8 to 10 tons of coal per month. 2d. Brevillier’s well, was sunk for oil in 1864, depth 625 feet, diameter 5 inches. The gas supplies five fires in the soap factory and three in the house of the proprietor, beside 269 lighting both establishments. It has been used in the factory for five years. 3d. Well sunk by Senator Lowrey, for gas, in Oct., 1870, 520 feet deep, passing through 50 feet of sandrock, then through gray shale and flag-stones, terminating in a dark shale. The gasis used for all household purposes, for cooking, heating and lighting. When used in ordinary stoves, the stove is partially filled with furnace cinder or broken brick. In open fires, it is burned in clay boxes made to represent wood, 4th. Conrad’s Brewery, sunk in March, 1871, 600 feet deep. No oil was obtained, but salt water and an abundant supply of gas. This gas supplies all household purposes, and heats malt chambers, brew-kettle and steam boiler. At Conneaut and Painesville, Ohio, wells have been bored for gas with entire success, and others are being bored in these localities, and at many points further West. QUALITY OF THE GAS. The illuminating power of the gas flowing from the West Bloomfield well, that from Fredonia and several of the Erie wells, has been measured and found to be about one half that of the gas used in most of our cities, or equal to seven to eight candles. It usually has the odor of petroleum, and contains a small percentage of condensable petroleum vapor. It is heavier than common street gas, contains carbonic acid and probably carbonic oxide. Its heating power is greater than that of common gas. Its illuminating power is increased by passing it through a purifier, and removing the carbonic acid. All who use it speak of it in terms of high praise, as being extremely convenient for heating and lighting, and without objectionable qualities. When delivered from the well directly to the burners, if not consumed, the pressure accumulates so as sometimes to burst the pipes. A pressure of fifty pounds to the square inch, has been noticed in some of the Erie wells. A steam gauge applied to one of Mr. Neff’s wells, in Knox Co., Ohio, ran rapidly up to 180 pounds, the highest pressure it would indicate. It is certain PROC. LYC. NAT. HIST., N. Y.—VOL. I. , 18 270 that the pressure at the bottom of the well, which is not tubed, is much greater, as it lifts a column of water not less than 500 feet in length. SOURCE OF THE GAS. All the gas wells on the Lake shore draw their gas from some point above the Huron Shales. A great mass of bitu- minous strata, the equivalent of the Genessee and Cashaqua shales of New York. This bituminous formation underlies the oil region of Western Pennsylvania, and all the oil and gas belt of Ohio. Many wells have been carried through this formation, but in no case upon the Lake shore, has gas been obtained below it. For this and other reasons that might be advanced, I think we are justified in concluding that the gas and the oil of the region under consideration are derived by spontaneous distillation from the bituminous shales to which reference has been made. October 23d, 1871. The President in the chair. Seventeen persons present. Mr. R. Dinwippre announced the Death of Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, one of the Honorary Members of the Society, and exhibited a photograph of the deceased. Mr. R. H. BrownnzE exhibited a Necklace of Cut Amethysts, from Oberstein, Germany. Pror. T. E@Leston made some remarks on the Artificial Coloration of Agates. It is not generally known that most of the Agates which are used for ornament, are artificially colored. This art of coloring natural stones, is carried on on an immense scale at Oberstein in Germany, where the greater part of the Agates of Europe are cut. Most of the Agates which are cut there come from Brazil. Those which are naturally colored are generally different shades of red. Ifthe color is of the desired shade they are immediately cut, but if not, or if the shade of . 271 color is not such as desired, they are heated until it is brought to the desired tint. The greater part of them however in their natural state, are of a dirty greyish color, with bands of white of greater or less thickness running through them. By long habit the workman acquires the art of being able to distin- guish those bands which will absorb color, and the pieces are cut accordingly with diamond dust. Prepared in the rough they all have the same color. The colors most sought for in commerce are various shades of red, green, yellow and blue. The red color is given by allowing the stone to remain several days in an acid solution of iron, the time de- pending on the depth of color to be given, and the shade on the absorbent power of the bands. It is then taken out and placed in an oven, where it is kept for some time at a temperature of between 100 and 200° Cent., until no further change takes place. The stone is then red and is cut, accord- ing to the depth of the color in the different bands, with a diamond saw, ground on large wheels of sandstone, before which the cutter les on his breast, and polished on a rapidly rotating wooden wheel with tin. The black color is given by boiling first in honey and then in sulphuric acid. The bands which absorb the honey, be- come black from its decomposition. Those which do not, remain white. This is the onyx of commerce. When there are no bands of white the stone is called jet. The yellow color is produced by Chromic acid. To be cer- tain of a good tint, the stones are first boiled in Hydrochloric acid to clean them and dissolve out anything that may be soluble. They are then placed in Chromic acid and left for several days. It then shows yellow where the acid has penetrated. To give the beautiful green color which is so much sought for at present, the. stone which has been steeped in Chromic acid, is covered with carbonate of ammonia and heated. The blue color is given by placing the pieces to be treated first in a solution of Ferrocyanide of potassium, then in a salt of iron. All of the artificially prepared stones receive their definite form and polish after they have been colored. | 272 The following paper was read: Note on Colored Rain. By Pror. A. M. EpWARDs. The subject of colored rain, or the falling, more com- monly, of colored matters without water, is one which pos- sesses both a popular and a scientific interest. As a matter of popular wonder we see, from time to time, in the public prints accounts of remarkable showers, sometimes of “ blood,” sometimes of “sulphur,” and similar substances, while at’ times the particles descending upon the earth, assume more noticeable dimensions, and assume the shape of “ frogs” or “fish.” Without considering these two last named phenom- ena, which are of too gigantic size to come within the scope of one who, like myself, uses the microscope largely as an assis- tant in unraveling difficult problems in Biology, I desire to put upon record a few facts connected with the scientific aspect of this subject. We find in a late number of Nature (Vol. IV. p. 68) a letter from a Mr. A. Ernst, who, writing from Caracas, Venezuela, states that “in December, 1870, after a heavy rain at Rosaria de Cucuta (New Grenada), a great many small round specks of a yellow clayish substance, were found on the leaves of plants that had been exposed to the rain.” On examination of this substance by means of a microscope, Mr. Ernst tells us that “it proved to be composed almost entirely of a species of Triceratium, and another of Cosmarium, which,” he goes on to say, ‘‘must have been carried away by a violent storm, from their lacustrine abodes.” Here is a possessor of a microscope who evidently is a mere microscopist and not an observer in the true sense of the term. For, if he had been so, he would not so readily have assumed that a Desmid (Cosmarium) and a Diatom (Triceratium) could be thus readily, even “ by a violent storm” carried “ from their la- custrine abodes,” and deposited, as a yellow clayish substance, on the leaves of plants. Nor would he have expected to \ 273 find but one species of Diatoms and one of Desmids thus de- posited. Nor would he have supposed that a species of a distinctly marine genus of Diatoms (Triceratium), for Smith’s Triceratium exignum found in fresh water, does not belong to this genus, but to the just as well marked fresh water genus Tabellaria, would come from the waters of a lake. However, Mr. Ernst’s description of the substance deposited as yellow and clayish, will, I think, lead us to define what it really was. But before saying what I wish to on this subject, I would call attention to another letter, published in the same period- ical, on this subject. On page 160 of Vol. IV. another gentle- man quotes authorities, tending as he thinks, to confirm such showers of solid particles, or, at least, their appearance after rain, and upon the ground or vegetation, and thereby falls into some errors fully as great as those of Mr. Ernst, Thus, after quoting a passage in Pliny, where arain of “iron” along with “sponges,” is spoken of, he goes on to explain that the iron and sponges here mentioned are one and the same thing, namely the now well-known “red snow.” And it is a curious fact that in the books of authors who ought to know better, we find it stated that there have been cases in which a red-colored matter has descended from the air, upon the ground and vegetation, and that on examination by means of the microscope it has been ascertained to be made up of in- dividuals of a minute perfect plant, which has been taken up by the wind or otherwise, from its natural habitat, which is in or upon the surface of water, and thereafter rained down upon the earth. Furthermore we find a record as to the occurrence of the so-called “red snow ” in Washington Territory, by Mr. George Gibbs, in the American Naturalist, Vol. V. page 116, which presents us with some further information on this point, and will serve as an introduction to what I have to say on this subject. Mr. Gibbs states that in the summer of 1858, at an altitude of 6500 feet on the Cascade Mountains, he found the “red snow.” He disgusted the man who first brought it to him, by eating it, and examination by means of a lens showed it to consist of “ tadpole shaped bodies, with rounded head and 274 attenuated tails, perhaps two lines in length.” In conelu- sion he says that he believes “this is the first notice of the occurrence of the ‘red snow’ within the territories of the United States.” In 1865, when in charge of the Microscopie material of the State Geological Survey of California, I received from Prof. Brewer, a specimen, dried, of “ red snow,” from Lassen’s Peak at about 10,500 to 16,000 feet altitude, collected in September, 1868. And Prof. Brewer informed me that it was found, commonly, on the “perpetual snows of the Sierra Nevada. For many years before this I had seen this remark- able appearance, not, however, upon snow, but upon the sur- face of the water of ditches and marshes all around this city ; New York. A fall of yellow rain is recorded (Nature, Vol. II. page 166) as having fallen on the 14th of February, 1870, at Géne, Italy, and a chemical analysis of it proved it to consist of Water 6-490 Nitrogenous organic substance 6-611 Sand and clay 65°618 Oxide of iron 14°692 Carbonate of lime 8-589 per cent. Under the microscope it was seen to be made up of blue spherical bodies, and spores of a moss and other vegetable substances along with a few Diatomacez. M. Boccardo, who examined it, thinks that if he could have seen it when fresh that “the microscope would have shown the existence of several kinds of infusoria.” He thinks it came from Africa, and quotes Maury’s suppositions founded on Ehrenberg’s loose observations in confirmation of the-likelihood of its having traveled so far. More likely it came from near by, as did my New Hampshire specimen, to be mentioned presently. But, besides these supposed showers of a yellow color, which have been ealled “ Sulphur,” and red, which have been termed blood, we have records, which appear periodically most commonly in our rural papers, of showers of ‘“ honey ”’ 275 which is white and frothy in appearance, and of a sweet taste. ‘To explain, satisfactorily, all of these phenomena I shall begin with the first—the yellow rain or showers of sulphur. When engaged at Dartmouth College during the last summer, one of my students, Mr. G. F. Stackpole, brought me a quantity of a yellowish powder which he assured me had fallen in great quantity during a heavy shower of rain near Lebanon, N. H., and there covered, not only the corn-fields, but the water of Shaker Pond, a respect- ably sized sheet of water. On the leeward side of the pond this powder had collected in considerable amount, and from thence that he brought me had been procured. Such showers were not very uncommon in that region, and were usually supposed to be, and were called “sulphur.” I assured him it was not sulphur, and showed him under the microscope what it was. Thereafter, on careful inquiry I found, as I had suspected, that the quantity fallen, (for it did descend from the air) was by no means as great as he and his informants had supposed, and was to be found only on one corn field, and on the surface of the water at the side of the pond where he had gathered it. Now what was this substance. Simply the pollen of the Pine tree, which it shed at this season (June—July) in considerable quantity, and I found that on the opposite side of the pond to that where the gathering had been made was a large grove of such trees in blossom. Now I strongly suspect, though, of course I can not speak positively without examining specimens, that the ‘‘vellow clayish substance” mentioned by Mr. Ernst was some such pollen, and that his “ 7riceratium” and “ Cosma- arvuum” are neither Diatoms nor Desmids, but simply pollen granules, which resemble those organisms very. closely in outline and sculpture. Ido not see how any force of wind could carry up either Diatoms or Desmids, and certainly, as far as my experience or that of other observers as yet published goes the marine genus Zriceratiwm has never been found associated with the fresh water Cosmarium. The ‘““ Red Snow ” has been, and is still very commonly supposed to be a perfect plant, and has been called Hematococcus 276 sanguineus, but the investigations of Dr. J. Braxton Hicks has shown that many of the forms which have been classed under this and other heads, and some of which are green whilst others are red, are the motile conditions (called gonzdia) of Lichens. I have shown that some of the green-colored forms, commonly ranked as animals under the name of Hu- | glena, are the motile forms of alge, and the red coating so common in this locality, and which I have found from early spring to late in the fall covering many hundred square feet of the surface of fresh water, is evidently a state of an alga also. This subject is one of great interest, and calls for further patient study. For some time I have been collecting observations thereon, and hope before long to lay them be- fore the Lyceum. We come now to the showers of “ honey.” These are no showers at all, but merely the juice of plants caused to exude in consequence of the puncture of insects— “plant hoppers” so called—as I had excellent opportunity of proving, as this substance was very common in the fields upon the stalks of grass, around Hanover, N. H., last summer. Pror. EGuLeston said that he had recently seen some Chinese Jade, and asked the question whether any one really knew what Jade was. The specimens he saw had recently been brought from China, and were different from the Chal- chihuital, from South America, which Mr. Squier had exhibi- ted at the Lyceum, and from any published description of the mineral. One of the specimens, cut in the shape of a ball, was trans- parent, of a yellowish green color, and was not touched by the file. It was set asa gem, and no further observations could be made upon it. The other specimens were of the white variety streaked with apple green, and resembled the Chalchihuital. It appears from such information as can be gathered from those who have been in China, that the real Jade is a gem of great value, and that the Chinese who come in contact with foreigners, are in the habit of selling any white or greenish stone under the name of Jade, if they can get a purchaser, under that name. Hence arises probably the 277 confusion as to what the mineral really is. His informant, who was for a long time collector of customs, in a large Chinese port, told him that as far as he could learn, the real Jade was not a rare stone, but its value was purposely kept up by the dealers, and that in case a large quantity was for any reason, put upon the market at one time, they would combine and refuse to buy it. From his description, he, (Prof. E.,) gathered that there must be at least two stones called the Jade, one brought into China by ships trading at the different ports, brought as near as he could learn from New Zealand; the other, the transparent green stone, resembled some varieties of corundum, though he had never seen any corundum of this peculiar color. He had sent to both China and Japan for some of the minerals, which he in- tends to have cut and to examine optically, and if he could get enough of them, to analyse. Pror. B. N. Martin stated that he had received from Prof. Schlagintweit the statement that he had, when in Thibet, discovered the locality from which the Chinese had for gene- rations taken the Jadeite which they have been in the habit of carving, and which they regard with a sort of veneration. The mineral when taken from the quarry, was soft, and could be cut and carved readily ; and he had put up the specimens without suspecting the probability of any change. On un- packing them, however, a year or two after, he found them very hard. They had evidently undergone a marked change. Prof. S. exhibited several specimens of the mineral in his lectures. October 30th, 1871. The President in the chair. Nineteen persons present. Dr. L. FEUCHTWANGER exhibited a Crystal of Quartz. from Nova Scotia, with fine hair-like crystals of what seemed to be Pyrolusite traversing it. 278 Mr. W. H. Leceerr exhibited an Ear of Indian Corn, of monstrous character, from Chester Co., Pa. It appeared to be made up of four ears united together. Pror. O. W. Morris exhibited a Stem of Amaranthus, distorted in a curious manner, so as to be bent at several right angles. Pror. B. N. Martin exhibited aseries of Minerals from the Geysers of California. Pror. A. M. Epwarps exhibited specimens of Distinctly Stratified Rock, from beneath the Trap, back of Hoboken, N. J., which was recognized as one of the rocks mentioned by Prof. Wurtz, and called by him, Trappoid Schist. Pror. H. Wurtz exhibited specimens of Iron Ochres, from Mt. Katahdin, Me, and made some remarks on their probable mode of formation. They occur in a bed three to four feet thick, and contain casts of leaves looking like those of the Birch. Analysis shows that there are two varieties, but that they both consist essentially of Ferric Hydrate with water, and a little mineral charcoal, besides traces of Pyrites, Silica and Humic acid. The following paper was read. Notes on Meteorology for August and September, 1871, with Remarks on the Spring and Summer of the same year. By Pror. O. W. Morris. August commenced with the Barometer at 29°863 inches; it rose for two days, and then fell and was variable during the month; the maximum, 80°288 in. occurred on the 23d, and the minimum, 29509 in. on the 30th, a difference of *719 inch. The mean for the month, was 29°855 inches. The temperature on the Ist, was 67°7°, and kept above that till the 19th, when it fell to 66°. The maximum occurred on the 27th, 86°, the minimum, 65° on the 81st, a range of 21°. The monthly mean was 75°23°. There were six 279 thunder showers, one rainbow and one meteor observed. Rain fell on 12 days, to the depth of 6-41 inches. September began with the Barometer at 30108 in. It varied up and down, till on the 22d it attained its maximum, 30°372 in., it then fell, and on the 26th, it marked 29°547 in. a range of ‘825. The mean was 30-013 inches. The temperature on the 1st was 61°6° ; it rose to its maximum on the 6th, 79°, the minimum 45°5° was on the 21st, a range of 33°5°, the mean was 62°45°. Only one thunder shower occurred, and one Aurora Borealis, but that was unique and beautiful, no arch, but bright, isolated beams. Rain fell on 5 days, to the depth of 1:85 inch, an uncom- monly dry September. The warmest spring in a series of ten years, was in 1865, 54°39° which was 6°3° warmer than the average for the ten years. This year, (1871) was also 512° warmer. The coldest spring was in 1869, 43°69", which was 4'8° colder than the average; and 9:22° colder than this year’s spring months. The warmest summer in the same series was also in 1865, 774°; which was 3°82° warmer than the average, and 4°77° warmer than in 1871; and this year was 0°95° cooler than the average. The coldest summer, was in 1869, 70°15° ; which was 3°43° colder than the average ; and 2°48° colder than in 1871. The warmest day in June, was the 26th in 1864, 91:26°. July, 17th 1866, 90-98". August, Ist 1864, 89-60°. The warmest day in March, was the 3d in 1861, 62°53”. April, 22d 1866, 73:06". May, 30th 1871, 81:83’. The spring of 1871, had the mean of the barometer 29-843 inches ; the maximum was on April 24th, 30°368 inches, the minimum, on March 27th, 29318 in. The mean of each month was, March 29°888 in., April, 29-778 in. May, 29°863 in. The mean humidity was 51°59°, a little more than half saturation. The quantity of rain was, for March, 5°6 in; 280 April, 3-45 in.; May, 49 in. Total, 13°95 inches, which is a small quantity for the spring months. The thermometer indicated a mean of 44°45° for March, 53°33° for April, and 61:84° for May; a mean for the spring of 53:21°.. The highest was on the 30th of May, 885°, the lowest, on the 29th of March, 33°, a range of 55°5° for the spring. . Snow fell on 5 days, rain on 87 days. Solar haloes were observed 5 times; lunar haloes, 3 times; lunar coronas, twice ; aurora borealis, 8 times; meteor, once, and thunder showers, 7 times. The summer season for 1871, was colder than the mean for the ten preceding years, by a difference of 115°, and 1:8° colder than the summer of 1870. The mean for the ten years, was 73°78", for 1871, 72°63". The greatest mean maximum for the ten years, was in August, 1868, 79:48°, while in August, 1871, it was 75°28", a difference of 4:2°; the least mean was in June, 1868, 66°63", while that of June, 1871 was 69°34", a difference in favor of 1871, of 2°71°. In 1870, the maximum was 77°92° in July, or 2°69° greater than in 1871; the minimum, was 74:11° in June; in 1871, 69°34° which is 4:77° less. This summer was only 047 warmer than that of 1866, which was the cold year. The mean of the barometer for the summer, was 29°866 in. The maximum was on the 8d of August, 30228 in.; the minimum, was on the 12th of June, 29:488 in. a difference of ‘790 in.; the mean for each month was, June, 29°821, in., July, 29-924 in., August, 29-855. Rain fell on 48 days, the quantity amounted to 20°7 in. ; for June, 8:02 in. July, 6°27 in. August, 6°41 in. Thunder showers occurred on 18 days; rainbows on 4 days, lightning 1, meteors 2, parhelia 2, lunar corona 1, earthquake 1. 281 November 6th, 1871. The President in the chair. Nineteen persons present. Pror. T. EGLESTON remarked that one of the most inter- esting, perhaps the most interesting machine in the late Fair of the American Institute, was the Sand Blast Machine. He hap- pened accidentally to be present when the judges made their examination of it, and saw all the usual experiments shown, such as etching of fine lace on glass without injuring the lace, cutting letters and ornaments on limestone and drilling a hole through a file, and while admiring the beauty of work and: thinking of the numerous commercial applications of which it was capable, a series of experiments suggested themselves, which through the liberality of the managers of the Fair, he was able in part to carry out. By an unfortunate misunder- standing the verbal request that he would commence the experiments did not reach him, until two days before the close of the Fair, though sent a week previously. The experiments were to have been, the examination of the effect of the sand blast, on rocks and mineral aggregates, the substitution of pulverized minerals of different hardness for the sand in the machine, and the examination of the effect of these sands on harder bodies. It was possible only to carry out the last part of the plan, and that too only partially. The sand blast proved to be so much more powerful than could have been imagined, that it was necessary to entirely rearrange the ex- periments after they had been commenced. The minerals chosen were Corundum in crystals from Delaware Co., Pa. a piece of Emery, from Chester, Mass., composed of a mixture of Corundum and Magnetite.