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COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,

AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

Pounded by private subscription, in 1861.

From the Library of LOUIS AGASSIZ.

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PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

HELD AT PHILADELPHIA,

PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

VOL. V.

JANUARY, 1848, TO DECEMBER, 1853.

PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,
By John C. Clark, 68 Dock Street.

1854.

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PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Vor V- JANUARY—APRIL, 1848. No. 40.

Stated Meeting, January 7.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The returns of the election for officers held this day were
presented and read, when it appeared that the following gen-
tlemen had been elected: —

President.
Nathaniel Chapman, M.D.

Vice- Presidents.
Robert M. Patterson, M.D.
Franklin Bache, M.D.
Alexander Dallas Bache, LL.D.

Secretaries.
Hon. John K. Kane,
Robley Dunglison, M.D.
John F. Frazer,
Charles B. Trego.

Members of the Council for Three Years.

Clement C. Biddle,
William Short,
Joseph Henry,
Benjamin Dorr, D.D.

Curators.

Franklin Peale,
John Price Wetherill,
John C. Cresson.

Treasurer.

Benjamin W. Richards.
VOL. V.—A

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Etudes d’Astronomie Stellaire: Sur la voie lactée, et sur la distance
des etoiles fixes. Rapport fait a son Excellence M. le Comte
Ouvaroff, Ministre de l’Instruction Publique, et President de
Académie Impériale des Sciences. Par F. G. W. Struve, Di-
recteur de l’Observatoire Central de Russie. St. Petersbourg,
1847.—From F. G. W. Struve.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Bo-
tany, and Geology. Vol. XX. No. 184. November, 1847.
8vo.— From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.

The Past, the Present, and the Future. By H. C. Carey, Author of
‘¢Principles of Political Economy,” &c. Philadelphia, 1848.
8vo.—From H. C. Carey.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. I. Part 1. 4to.—From the Academy.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. No. 12.
December, 1847, and Vol. XXIV. No. 1. January, 1848. 8vo.
From the American Colonization Society.

Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 61. January, 1848.
8vo.— From Lea & Blanchard.

Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLV. No. 265. Third Series. Vo!. XV. No.1. Jan. 1848.
8vo.—From the Institute.

Senate Journal: Journal of the Senate of the United States of Ame-
rica; being the Second Session of the Twenty-ninth Congress,
begun and held at the City of Washington, December 7, 1846,
in the 71st year of the Independence of the United States. Wash-
ington, 1846-7. 8vo.

House Journal: Journal of the House of Representatives of the United
States; being the Second Session of the Twenty-ninth Congress,
begun and held at the City of Washington, December 7, 1846.
Washington, 1846-7. 8vo.

Public Documents: Printed by order of the Senate of the United
States, during the Second Session of the T'wenty-ninth Congress.
In Three Volumes. 8vo. Washington, 1847.

Executive Documents: Second Session of T'wenty-ninth Congress.
In Four Volumes. 8vo. Washington, 1846-7.

Reports of Committees: Second Session of ‘Twenty-ninth Congress.
Washington, 1846-7. 8vo.

In all Ten Volumes.—From the Hon. the Secretary of State.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Il. No. 11. September and October, 1847.—From the
Academy.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and Journal
of Science. ‘Third Series. No. 209. November, 1847. 8vo.

Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 612 to 615. Altona, Sept. 30 to
Oct. 30, 1847. 4to.

The Committee on the communication of Mr. J. M. Gilliss,
U.S. N., dated 22d October, 1847, made a report, recom-
mending the adoption of the following resolutions:—

Resolved, 'That the proposed method of Dr. Gerling, of Marburg,
for determining the solar parallax, by observations of the planet Ve-
nus when stationary and at the conjunctions, and the plan of Lieut.
Gilliss for its accomplishment, by means of similar observations at
the Naval Observatory at Washington, and in South America, would,
if successfully carried out under the direction of the Navy Depart-
ment, furnish valuable astronomical data, and confer honour upon
our country.

Resolved, therefore, that this Society do hereby commend the pro-
posed plan to the favour and adoption of the present distinguished
head of that department, or, if necessary, to the Congress of the
United States; and that in testimony of the opinion of this Society
upon this subject, an official copy of these proceedings be transmitted
to the Secretary of the Navy.

The resolutions were adopted by the Society.

Mr. Frazer, Reporter, presented a letter from Prof. Halde-
man, dated Columbia, 22d November, 1847, enclosing a list of
additions and amendments to his paper on the Longicornia,
which, by the oversight of the Reporter, had not been pre-
sented at the proper time: whereupon the Society directed it
to be published in the Proceedings under its appropriate date,
and with the proper explanations.

Pending nominations, from No. 197 to 202, inclusive, were
read.

The Chairman of the Publication Committee laid upon the
table Vol. X. Part 1, of the Transactions of the Society.

On motion of the Librarian, the Ethnological Society of ©
Paris was put on the list of exchanges of this Society.

Stated Meeting, January 21.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was received and read:—

From M. U. J. Leverrier, dated Paris, 19th June, 1847, ac-
knowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member
of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Professor B.
Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr., and James W. Dana. Second Se-
ries. No. 8. March, 1847. No. 138. January, 1848. 8vo.—
From the Editors.

American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac Hays,
M.D., Surgeon to Wills’ Hospital, Physician to the Philadelphia
Orphan Asylum,’ &c. &c. No. XXIX. New Series. January,
1848. 8vo.—From the Editor.

Substance of the Argument of John M. Clayton, of Delaware, for the
United States, in the matter of the Pea Patch Island, before the
Hon. John Sergeant; delivered in the Hall of American Inde-
pendence, in the City of Philadelphia, on the second and third of
December, 1847: containing a Discussion of the Title of the
States of Delaware and New Jersey to the River Delaware and
its Islands. Philadelphia, 1848. S8vo.—From the Hon. John
M. Clayton.

Lecture, introductory to a Course on Surgery, in the University of
Pennsylvania: containing a Short Account of Eminent British
Surgeons, Physicians, Scientific and Literary Men; delivered Oc-
tober 22, 1847. By William Gibson, M.D., Professor of Sur-
gery. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From the Author.

Lecture, correlative to a Course on Surgery, in the University of
Pennsylvania; embracing a Short Account of Eminent Belgian
Surgeons, Physicians, &c. &c.; delivered December 22, 1847.
By William Gibson, M.D. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo.—From
the Author.

Discourse on the Surviving Remnant of the Indian Race in the
United States. By Job R. Tyson. 8vo.—From the Author.
An Oration delivered before the Society of the Sons of New England
of Philadelphia, December 22, 1847, the Anniversary of the
Landing of the Pilgrims. By W. H. Dillingham. Philadelphia,

1847. 8vo.—From the Author.

Mr. Ord announced the death of Count Graberg de Hemso,
a member of this Society.

Mr. Lea announced the death of M. Alexandre Brogniart, a
member of this Society.

Prof. Kendall read a letter from Prof. Peirce, of Cambridge,
giving the results of a second approximation to the theory of
the planet Neptune, from Mr. Walker’s most recent ele-
ments.*

Mr. Charles B. Trego was elected Librarian of the Society;
Mr. Ord, the former Librarian, declining a re-election.

The following gentlemen were appointed on the Standing
Committees of the Society :—

Committee of Finance.—Dr. Robert M. Patterson, Chazr-
man (in place of Mr. C. C. Biddle, who declined serving),
Mr. Lea, Mr. Wagner.

Committee on the Hall.Sudge J. K. Kane, Chairman
(in place of Mr. G. Campbell, who declined serving), Mr. Fra-
ley, Mr. F. Peale.

Committee on the Library.—Dr. Isaac Hays, Chairman,
Mr. G. Campbell, Mr. Ord.

Committee of Publication.—Mr. I. Lea, Chairman, Dr.
Hays, Mr. J. Francis Fisher.

The list of surviving members was read. The number is

Soe

* As the substance of this letter had already been communicated to the
American Academy of Boston, and has been published in their Proceedings,
it is omitted here.

The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for
membership.

The following resolution was, on motion of Judge Kane,
unanimously adopted: —

Resolved, That the cordial thanks of the Society be and they
hereby are tendered to George Ord, Esgq., for the faithful, assiduous,
and effective manner in which he has for several years discharged
the duties of Treasurer and Librarian of this Society.

On motion of Dr. Patterson, permission was granted to Mr.
R. Tilghman to publish his paper on the Decomposition of
Substances by Steam at a High Temperature, as an extract
from the forthcoming volume of this Society’s Transactions,
in any of the scientific journals of this country.

The other business being finished, the ballot box was exa-
mined, and the following gentlemen were declared to have
been duly elected members of this Society :—

Mr. Joun F. Jamus, of Philadelphia.

Rev. Rozert Bairp, D.D., of New York.

Lieut. J. Metvitie Gixxiss, of Washington.

J. C. Apams, Esq., St. John’s College, Cambridge (Eng-
land).

Prof. Asa Gray, of Cambridge (Mass.).

Dr. Gustay. Apotex Jann, of Leipsic.

Stated Meeting, February 4.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Mr. John F. James, a newly elected member, was introduced
and took his seat.

Letters were received and read:—
From the Zoological Society of London, dated London,
April, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions

and Proceedings of this Society: —
From the Imperial Society of Naturalists at Moscow, dated

zi,

1-13 July, 1847, and 16-23 Sept., 1847, announcing donations
to this Society :—

From Mr. Henry Denny, Secretary of the Geological and
Polytechnic Society of the West Riding of Yorkshire, accom-
panying seven Nos. of the Proceedings of that Society, and ex-
pressing a willingness to continue sending them, if this Society
desired it: and—

From J. M. Gilliss, U. 8. N., dated Washington, 26th Jan.,
1848, and Prof. Asa Gray, dated Cambridge, Mass., 1 Febru-
ary, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of notice of their election
as members of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Vol. III. Part 4.
London, 1846. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Nos. 155 to 177.
Jan. 13, 1846, to July 27, 1847. 8vo.—From the same.

Reports of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society of
London, read at the Annual General Meeting, April 29, 1847.
8vo.—From the same.

List of the Fellows and Honorary Foreign and Corresponding Mem-
bers of the Zoological Society of London; together with the
Holders of Ivory Tickets. London, June, 1847. 8vo.—From
the same.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 12. Noy. 1, 1847.
London, 1847. 8vo.—F rom the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VII. No. 17.
London, 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.

Bulletin de la Société Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou. No. 4,
1846; et Nos. 1 & 2, 1847. Moscou, 1846-7. 8vo.—From
the Society.

Rapport sur la Séance Extraordinaire de la Société Impériale des
Naturalistes de Moscou, du 22 Février, 1847, 2 occasion du Ju-
bilé semi seculaire du Doctorat de S. Exc. M. Fischer de Wald-
heim, Fondateur de la Société. Par le Second Secrétaire, Dr.
Renard. Moscou, 1847. 8vo.—From the same.

A Copy of the same.—From Charles Cramer.

Twenty-seventh Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and

Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1846-7. Leeds,
1847. 8vo.—From the Society.

Reports of the Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic Society
of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Seven Numbers, from 1840
to 1846. Leeds, 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisitme Série. Tome VII.
Paris, 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal Asiatique. Quatrieme Série. Tome X. Sept. 1847. Paris,
1847. 8vo.—rom the Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. XX. No. 135,
and Supplement, No. 136. London, Dec. 1847. 8vo.—From
Sir William Jardine, Bart.

The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge, for the Year 1848. London. 8vo.—From Petty
Vaughan, Esq.

Introductory Lecture, delivered to the Class of Institutes of Medicine
in Jefferson College, November 4, 1847. By Robley Dunglison,
M.D. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From the Author.

Researches into the Comparative Structure of the Liver. By Joseph
Leidy, M.D. Extracted from the American Journal of Medical
Sciences. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 62. Feb. 1848.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The Orbit of Neptune, computed by Sears C. Walker, A.A.S.; and
Formule in the Theory of Neptune, by Benjamin Peirce, A.A.S.
From Dr. R. M. Patterson.

Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. No.
138. Dec. 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.

Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de |’Academie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXV. Nos. 17a 21. Oct. 25 4 Nov. 25, 1847.
Avec Tables des Maticéres du Tome XXV. 4to.

Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisiéme Série. Tome XXI.
Noy. et Dec. 1847. 8vo.

London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and Journal
of Science. Third Series. No. 210, and Supplement, No. 211.
December, 1847. 8vo.

Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 616, 617, 619. Altona, Nov.
1847. Ato.

Mr. Lea announced the death of Prof. Lardner Vanuxem,
a member of this Society, and accompanied the announcement
with a brief notice of his life and scientific labours.

On motion of Dr. F. Bache, Mr. Lea was requested to pre-
pare an obituary notice of Prof. Vanuxem.

The Committee on Finance made a report recommending
the appropriations for the year, which were sanctioned by the
Society.

Stated Meeting, February 18.
Present, sixteen members.

Dr. Patterson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome X. No. 49. Oct.
1847. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Fragmens sur l’Uniformité a introduire dans les Notations Géogra-
phiques sur les Antiquités Américaines, et sur divers points de
Géographie. Extrait du Bulletin de la Société de Géographie.
Avril, 1847. 8vo.—From M. Jomard.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 2.
Feb. 1848. Svo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. XLV. No. 266. Third
Series. Vol. XV. No.2. February, 1848. 8vo.—From the
Institute.

Letter from the acting Secretary of the Treasury, communicating the
Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, showing the
progress of that Work. Washington, 1847. 8vo.—From Prof.
A. D. Bache.

Comstock’s Phonetic Testament. The New Testament printed in
Phonetic Characters. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo. From Dr. A.
Comstock.

Report on the Cypress Timber of Mississippi and Louisiana. By
Montroville W. Dickeson, M.D. and Andrew Brown, A.M. Phi-
ladelphia, 1848. 8vo.—From the Authors.

VOL. V.—B

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.

Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisiéme Série. ‘Tome XXI.
Dec. 1847. 8vo.

Comptes Rendus de Academie des Sciences. Tome XXV. No.
22 425. Nov. 29 a Dec. 20, 1847. Ato.

Mr. Lea read an obituary notice of the late Professor Lard-
ner Vanuxem.

The report of the Board of Officers was read.

New nominations from No. 203 to No. 221, inclusive, were
read.

Stated Meeting, March 3.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XVI. London,
1847. 4to.—From the Society. ;
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII.

Nos. 1 and 2. 8vo.—From the same.

Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XX. Part
2. London, 1847. 4to.—From the Society.

List of the Linnean Society of London, 1847. 4to.—From the same.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. No. 30 to 33, in-
clusive. S8vo.—From the same.

Astronomical Observations, made at the Royal Observatory, Green-
wich, in the Year 1845 ; under the direction of George Biddell
Airey, Esq. London, 1847. 4to.—From the Royal Society of
London.

Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Ingénieurs des
Mines de Russie, etc. Par A. T. Kupffer. Année 1844. Deux
Parties. St. Petersbourg, 1846. 4to.—From A. T. Kupffer,
Director of the Observatory.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Bota-
ny, and Geology. Second Series. Vol. I. No. 1. January,
1848. 8vo.—From Sir W. Jardine, Bart.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge: Occultations visible in the
United States, during the year 1848. Philadelphia, 1848. 4to.
From the Smithsonian Institution.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. From
August 11, 1847, to January 4, 1848. 8vo.—From the Aca-
demy.

Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting his Annual
Report on the State of the Finances. Washington, Dec. 1847.
8vo.—From Charles B. Trego.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.

Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. No. 87. Oct. 1847, to
Jan. 1848. 8vo.

London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine. Third
Series. No. 212. January, 1848. 8vo.

Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 618, 620 and 621. 4to.

Judge Kane announced the death of the Hon. John Quiney
Adams, a member of this Society, at Washington, on 23d of
February, in the 81st year of his age.

Dr. Patterson announced the death of Dr. Jacob Randolph,
a member of this Society, on the 29th of February, in the fifty-
second year of his age.

Pending nominations, from No. 203 to 221, and new nomi-
nations, No. 222 and 223, were read.

On motion of Mr. Frazer, permission was granted to Mr.
Lea, to take a copy of his obituary notice of Prof. Vanuxem.

Stated Meeting, March 17.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were announced and read:—

From Giuseppe Banchero, dated Genoa, 20th January, 1848,
asking the Society to subscribe to a newspaper, a specimen of
which accompanied the letter: and,—

From the American Antiquarian Society, dated Worcester,
8th March, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X. Part 1,
of the Transactions of this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Paleontology of New York, Vol. I.: containing Descriptions of the
Organic Remains of the Lower Division of the New York Sys-
tem. By James Hali, A.M., Paleontologist of the State of New
York. Albany, 1847. 4to.—From the Author.

Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 63. March, 1848.—
From Lea & Blanchard.

Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library of New York.
Albany, 1848.—From the New York State Library.

Annual Catalogue of the Medical Department of the University of
Louisville, Session of 1847-8.—From Dr. Short.

Message from the President of the United States to the two Houses of
Congress, at the Commencement of the First Session of the Thir-
tieth Congress: together with the accompanying Documents.
Washington, Dec. 7, 1847.—From the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge: Occultations visible in the
United States during the Year 1848. 4to.—From the Hon. G.
M. Dallas.

Address before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 28th January,
1848, on the occasion of opening the Hall in the Atheneum. By
William B. Reed. Philadelphia, 1848.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. XLV. No. 267. Third Se-
ries. Vol. XV. No. 38. March, 1848.—From the Institute.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 3.
March, 1848.—From the American Colonization Society.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by B. Silliman,
B. Silliman, jr., and James D. Dana. Vol. V. No. 14. March,
1848. New Haven, 1848.—From the Editors.

Mr. Trego was excused from preparing an obituary notice
of the late Isaiah Lukens.

Judge Sergeant announced the death of the Hon. Henry
Wheaton, a member of this Society, and accompanied the an-
nouncement with a sketch of his character and works.

Prof. Frazer announced the death of Dr. Thomas P. Jones,
of Washington City, on the 11th inst., in the 75th year of his
age.

Dr. Patterson briefly noticed the life and scientific labours
of Dr. Jones.

Pending nominations, from No. 203 to No. 223, were read.

Stated Meeting, April 7.
Present, twenty-seven members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read: —

From the Royal Society of London, dated London, 10th
December, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of Transactions
and Proceedings of this Society :—

From the Imperial Society of Naturalists, of Moscow, dated
Moscow, 9th May, 1846, accompanying a donation to this So-
ciety :—

From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, dated 16th March, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of
the Transactions and Proceedings of this Society: and,—

From J. C. Adams, Esq., dated St. John’s College, Cam-
bridge, 4th March, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of notice
of his election as a member of this Society.

The following donations were announced :-—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Three Sheets of U. S. Coast Survey Maps.—From A. D. Bache,
through Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.

Littell’s Living Age: containing a Reprint of the Report of the Trus-
tees of the Massachusetts General Hospital; with a History of
the Ether Discovery, and Dr. Morton’s Memoir to the French
Academy. No. 201. March 18, 1848.—Anonymous.

The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, Theoretical and Practical. By
James C. Booth and Martin H. Boyé. Nos. 2 to 10, inclusive.—
From J. C. Booth.

Horatii Tursellini Romani de Particulis Latinze Orationis. Libellus
utilissimus, post curas Jacobi Thomasii et Jo. Conradi Schwarzii
denuo recognitus et auctus. Editio in Germania quinta. Lipsie,
1769.—From James Hollahan.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. [I]. No. 12; with Title and Index to Vol. III. Also Vol.
IV. No. 1.—From the Academy.

Final Reports of the Building Committee and the Architect of the
Girard College for Orphans. Philadelphia, 1848.—From T. U.
Walter, Esq.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. April, 1848.—From
the American Colonization Society.

A Description of Active and Extinct Volcanos, of Earthquakes, and
of Thermal Springs; with Remarks on the Causes of these Phe-
nomena, the Character of their respective Products, and their In-
fluence on the Past and Present Condition of the Globe. By
Charles Daubeny, M.D., F.R.S. Second Edition. London, 1848.
From the Author.

Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory
at St. Helena. Printed by order of Her Majesty’s Government,
under the Superintendence of Lieut. Col. Edward Sabine. Vol. I.
1840-1-2-3. London, 1847.—From the British Government.

Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. ‘Tome
XVIII. No. 4. 1845; et Tome XIX. Nos. 1, 2,3. 1846.—
From the Society.

Spicilegium Entomographia Rossice. Auctore G. Fischer de Wald-
heim. Moscow.—From the same.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
Year 1847. Parts 1 and 2.—From the Society.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XVII.
Part 2. 1847.— From the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII. No. 3.
January, 1848.—F rom the Society.

Boletin de la Sociedaid Economica de Amigos del Pais de Valencia.
Afio 8°. Tomo 4°. Agosto, 1847.—From the Society.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany
and Geology. Second Series. Vol. I. No. 2. Feb. 1848.—From
Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.

London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and Journal
of Science. Third Series. No. 213. Feb. 1848.

Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 622, 623, 624, and 625. Jan.
1848. Altona.

Dr. F. Bache announced the death of Mr. Nicholas Carlisle,
of London, a member of this Society.

Prof. Frazer read the following letter from Prof. Peirce, of
Cambridge, to Prof. Henry, of Washington.

I have just completed the perturbations of Uranus by Neptune, and
am now certain that Neptune will account for these perturbations; so
completely, indeed, as to show that the former theories were some-
what defective, for they did not satisfy the observation of 1690, which
now appears to be as good as any other. ‘The following table con-
tains the residual differences between the theoretical and observed
longitudes of Uranus, which are to be attributed to defects of theory
or to errors of observation. I have also, for the purpose of compari-
son, copied from Leverrier and Adams their outstanding differences _
of the same kind, after the introduction of their hypothetical planets;
and | have, moreover, added a final column from Leverrier of the
residual perturbations which were originally to be accounted for, pro-
vided that orbit of Uranus is adopted which best coincides with mo-
dern observations. It will be perceived, from this table, that the
motions of Uranus contain no indication of another external planet,
or of any error in the mass of Saturn. Neptune stands, therefore,
in direct opposition to the proposition, that no planet, placed at a less
mean distance than 35 times the distance of the earth from the sun,
can possibly account for the observed irregularities in the motion of
Uranus to within 5” of arc for modern observations, and 10" for an-
cient ones. The table is computed from Walker’s last elements of
Neptune as a basis.

Residual Differences between the Theoretical and Observed Longi-
tudes of Uranus, from the Theories of Peirce, Leverrier und
Adams.

From Peirce’s Theory of Neptune,
adopting for its Mass,

From Lever- From From Lever-

Date. |Bond’s Obser-| _Lassell’s his own Ob- Hypotheti- | Second Hy- | servations,
vations of the Observations} servations of | ca] Planet. | pothetical |without any

Satellite. combined. Satellite. Planet. external

=T0800 | =1s780 | S1a907 Faure

1845 S00) | ca 41D ies, a Sas Dope etic Gh
1840 —1.1 — 1.3 — 1.3 + 2.2 +13 /+ 07
1835 + 2.0 + 24 + 3.9 — 08 —12)— 45
1829 Oa Silla os Ea oo i oe oa. pao G7
1824 — 2.0 — iy — 16 — 54 +17 |— 7.6
1819 +1.0 + 0.7 + 09 + 0.4 —22 \;+ 38
1813 —0.3 + 11 — 23 — 0.9 —10)+ 45
1808 — 0.4 — 0.6 — 1.3 + 0.8 0.0 ;+ 38
1803 + 0.8 + 1.2 + 3.2 + 0.8 +16 |)— 34
1797 + 0.3 + 0.8 3.3 — 1.0 —05 |— 67
1792 + 0.3 + 0.5 + 1.6 + 0.3 —11)— 7.8
1787 — 6.5 — 12 — 47 —12 —02 )}+ 2.0
1782 — 3.0 — 5.6 — 18.3 + 2.3 0.0 | + 20.5
A (16e| OO |) 160 | = G20 | 2237 | ses |. eas
2 }1756) +4.0 — 12.7 —102.4 — 4.0 — 4.0 | + 230.9
SIZ SCN TOON pe O96) 7am bia. eG Giiemio7OlG
< (1690) +08 | +13.0 | —124.7 | —19.9 | +50.0 | + 289.0

BENJAMIN PEIRCE.
Cambridge Observatory, March 23, 1848.

Prof. Frazer read the following extract from a letter ad-
dressed to him by Prof. 8S. 8S. Haldeman, of Columbia.

Columbia, Pa., 4th Sept. 1848.

Some time back I offered before the Philosophical Society an eX-
planation of the apparent projection of a star during occultation, upon
the disk of the moon, and the following experiment induces me to
believe it essentially correct. Let a pair of disks, having nearly the
same shade of colour, be placed so far from the eye as to render it
impossible to tell their relative distance. Let the edge of one (p) re-
presenting the planet, to which the eye is chiefly directed, be made
gradually to approach and to pass closely behind that representing
the moon (m), when it will be found that the impression of p re-
mains, while that of m envelopes it; that is, that the images become
confluent, and for a short period coexistent; particularly when the

retina has become fatigued and surcharged with the two images by
long attention. The principal attention being directed to p, its limb
will appear to pass over that of m; whilst an equal attention to both
will cause them to intersect like two translucent disks. This double
intersection is not apparent when one of the bodies is very small, the
light of the larger being suffused over the smaller, which, moreover,
does not present sufficient area to allow the intersection of so small a
portion of the larger limb to be observed. When the apparent dia-
meter of p is not greater than that of the coexisting limbs, as when
the experiment is performed with a small pin’s head and a silver coin,
it is evident that the greater part, if not the whole of the image, may
coalesce with that of m upon the retina, producing the phenomenon
in question.

I wish this experiment to be verified by other eyes than my own,
especially as it has only succeeded with my near-sighted eye, at
arm’s length, during day-light. At about six feet distance, by lamp-
light, and with two dimes, my son could not distinguish which one
passed over the other; or rather he believed that the moving body
(p) passed in front; but I did not allow more than one-tenth inch of
intersection. A single person might perform the experiment by
placing the disks upon one end of a strip of board, and so adjusting
them, that by the motion of the board, the one should appear to the
eye stationed at the other end, to pass over the other.

Pending nominations, from No. 203 to 223, inclusive, and
new nomination, 224, were read.

Prof. Frazer, Reporter, laid upon the table No. 39, Vol. IV.
of the Proceedings of the Society.

Stated Meeting, April 21.
Present, thirty-five members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—
From the New York Historical Society, dated New York,

9th April, 1848, transmitting the Proceedings of the Society,
VoL. v.—c

and asking for some missing numbers of the Proceedings of
this Society: —

From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated 11th April,
1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X., Part 1, of the
Transactions of this Society :—

From Mr. HE. Geo. Squier, dated New York, 16th April,
1848, transmitting a donation: and,—

From Hon. Mahlon Dickerson, dated Suckasunny, N. J.,
13th April, 1848, accompanying a donation towards defray-
ing the expenses of publication of the Proceedings of this So-
ciety.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. No. 13.
Feb. 1, 1848.—F'rom the Society.

Proceedings of the Astronomical Society of London.—From the So-
ciety.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, &c. Second Series. Vol.
1. No. 3. March, 1848.—From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
Proceedings of the New York Historical Society, for the Year 1847;
together with the Charter and By-laws of the Society.—From the

Socrety.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Hl. No. 10. July and August, 1847.—From the Aca-
demy.

Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, from De-
cember, 1847, to March, 1848, inclusivee-—From the College of
Physicians.

Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 64. April, 1848.—From
Lea & Blanchard.

American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XXX. New Series.
April, 1848.—From Isaac Hays, M.D.

A Descriptive Catalogue of the Anatomical Museum of the Boston
Society for Medical Improvement. By J. B.S. Jackson, M.D.—
From the Society.

Report of a Geological Exploration of part of Iowa, Wisconsin and
Illinois, made under Instructions from the Secretary of the Trea-
sury of the United States, in the Autumn of the Year 1839. By
David Dale Owen, M.D.—From the Hon. George M. Dallas.

On a new Genus and Species of Fossil Ruminantia; Poebrotherium
Wilsoni: and, On some Bodies in the Boa Constrictor, resem-
bling the Pacinian Corpuscles. By Joseph Leidy, M.D.—From
the Author.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XV. No. 4.
April, 1848.—From the Institute.

Observations on the Aboriginal Monuments of the Mississippi Valley ;
the. Character of the Ancient Earthworks; and the Structure,
Contents, and Purposes of the Mounds; with Notices of the Mi-
nor Remains of Ancient Art. By E. G. Squier.—From the Au-
thor.

Report of the General Executive Committee of the City and County
of Philadelphia, appointed by the Town Meeting of February 17,
1847, to provide means to relieve the Sufferings in Ireland.—
From the Commitiee.

A Call for Redress, to the enlightened and the just of the British Pub-
lic, in a matter of Piracy committed on Dr. J. G. Fliigel’s English
and German Dictionary. Second Edition. Leipsic, 1838. By
the injured Author. Also, an Extra Impression of the Preface
and Introduction to Dr. J. G. Fligel’s Practical Dictionary. First
Part. Leipsic and Hamburg, 1847.—From Dr. J. G. Fligel.

Report to the Stockholders of the Dauphin and Susquehanna Coal
Company. February, 1848.—From Isaac Lea, Esq.

Mémoires de la Société Royale des Antiquaires du Nord. 1845—
1847.—From the Royal Society of Antiquaries of the North,
Copenhagen.

Apercu de l’Ancienne Géographie des Regions Arctiques de ’Amé-
rique, selon les Rapports contenus dans les Sagas du Nord. Par
Charles Christian Rafn. Copenhagen, 1847.—From the Author.

Akstykker for storste delen hidtil ntrykte til oplysning iseer af Dan-
marks indre Forhold 1 eldre tyd. Samlede og udgivne af Fyers
Stifts Literaire Selskab. Odense, 1845.—Prom the Literary So-
ciety of Funen.

Contemplations on the Solar System. By J. P. Nichol, LL.D.—
From the Author.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.

The London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Vol. XXXII. No. 214. March, 1848.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 626 and 627; with Index to Vol.

XXVI.

Dr. F. Bache, on the part of Dr. Wood, read an obituary no-
tice of the late Dr. Beasley.

Dr. Emerson made a verbal communication relative to causes
operative in changing the proportions of the sexes at birth.

He referred to a verbal statement formerly made by him, and no-
ticed in the Bulletin (No. 34), upon the predominance of male births,
which, in Philadelphia, was usually about 7 per cent. over that of fe-
males. Having been recently engaged in researches into the vital
statistics of Philadelphia, and adding another decennial period, em-
bracing from 1830 to 1840, he casually observed an interesting fact
connected with the physiology of reproduction in the human race,
namely, that the prevalence of epidemic cholera had exerted a very
strong influence unfavourable to the conception of males. In 1833,
the year succeeding that of the first cholera visitation, the ordinary
excess of male births (7 per cent.) had been reduced to about one per
cent. The amount of the yearly male excess, which was generally
some hundreds, had sunk to only 38. An examination of the
monthly returns of births in 1833, showed, that in the two which
corresponded with the months of conception, when the cholera pre-
vailed in 1832, the females greatly predominated over the males.
Dr. E. stated, that on referring to the Paris registration of births for
1833, the year following the cholera, he found a similar reduction in
the male excess.

Prof. Kendall presented the following table, containing the
most recent results of the labours of Mr. Sears C. Walker in
regard to the planet Neptune.

«= 47 12 6.50
Q=1380 4 20.81
2 2 AG 58.97
e = 0.00871946

fe 21''.55448

M = 328° 32’ 44".20 m. noon, Green. Jan. 1. 1847.
T = 164-6251, trop. years.

m. eq. Jan. 1, 1847.

Correction of the Ephemeris from Elements Second, after applying
Prof. Peirce’s recent Values of the Periurbations in R. A. and
Dec.

Obs —Eph. Obs.—Eph.
Date. R.A. No. Obs. Dec. No. Obs.
— at Sven —_—~
1795. May 8, — 0.29 1 + 0.79 1
3) + 1.18 1 + 31 1
1846. Sept. 26, — 0.21 160 + .55 144
Oct, 4, oe yan! 210 Bi 5A 188
12, ar (39 277 1 64 244
20, — .26 336 + .60 293
28, — .20 349 + 53 304
Nov. 5, — ll 343 + .62 297
13, 4 317 SU NGA 273
21, Jb 305 any 70 258
29, 4+ 08 979 iol ars 235
Dec. 7, ag 209 + 69 179
15, al 168 + 84 148
93, + 60 132 05 120
31, 55 1G 90 + .92 80
1847. Jan. 8, + 179 63 4a 93 50
April 6, cae 15 ea 16
July 27, S28) 53 ssa 50
Aug. 4, =e 59 68 oe eA 65
12, ls 5 81 ets 75
20, = 64 76 Ee AT9 71
28, 76 83 + A0 76
Sept. 5, 61 76 ae BY 83
13, aS 76 EaONAG 80
21, iI 61 4 48 67
29, Bae 50 4 56 57
Oct. 7, LMos, 65 a 5S 57
15, 2785 65 4+. .76 67
23, aed 70 aE 92 61
31, £295 63 A) ey 65
Nov. 8, — 96 46 ae 51
16, so 53 Lae 48
24, — .56 45 + .99 45
Dec. 2, — 24 35 + 99 30
10, — .09 27 + .72 22
18, ees 18 4+ 89 18

The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for
membership.

After which, the other business of the meeting having been
disposed of, the ballot boxes were opened and examined, and

the following gentlemen declared to have been duly elected
members of this Society: —
Rozert C. Grier, Judge U. S. Supreme Court.
Simon Grepnuear, Harvard University.
Wiri1am Kent, of New York.
Witu1am L. Storrs, of Connecticut.
Jort Jonss, President of Girard College, Philadelphia.
Joun Ruep, of Dickinson College, Carlisle.
ALEXANDER M. Stevens, M.D., of New York.
Harmar Denny, of Pittsburg.
Rapa J. Incersout, of Connecticut.
Joun N. Conynenam, of Luzerne County, Pa.
Cuarves Picort, of Philadelphia.
E. Greppines, M.D., of South Carolina.
CALDERON DE LA Barca, of Washington.
F. A. Povcuet, of Rouen.
Miers Fisner Lonesrrets, of Philadelphia.
SamvueEt F. B. Morssz, of New York.

paA Shae, eteaans Absteds ered

VS Niue

Gamba
h

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Vor Ve MAY—DECEMBER, 1848. No. 41.

Stated Meeting, May 5.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Mr. Miers Fisher Longstreth, a newly elected member, was
presented to the presiding officer, and took his seat.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Hon. R. C. Grier, dated Philadelphia, 22d April,
1848—Professor Charles Picot, dated Philadelphia, 22d April,
1848—Professor John Reed, dated Carlisle, 23d April, 1848—
Alexander H. Stevens, M.D., dated New York, 24th April,
1848—Samuel F. Bb. Morse, Esq., dated New York, 24th
April, 1848—Hon. John N. Conyngham, dated Wilkesbarre,
25th April, 1848—A. Calderon de la Barca, dated Washing-
ton, 27th April, 1848—Prof. Simon Greenleaf, dated Cam-
bridge, Mass., 27th April, 1848, respectively acknowledging
the receipt of notice of their election as members of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, relative to Astronomical
Observations; made to the House of Representatives of the United
States, April 18, 1848.—From the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll.

Another copy of the same.—From the Hon. George P. Marsh.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Second Series. Vol. I. No. 4. April, 1848.—
From Sir William Jardine, Bart.

African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 5.
May, 1848.—From the American Colonization Society.

VoL. V.—D

Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 65. May, 1848.—
From Lea & Blanchard.

An Address delivered at the opening of the Hall of the Newark Li-
brary Association, Feb. 21,1848. By 8. J. Prime.—From the
Newark Library Association.

Pending nomination, No. 224, was read.

Stated Meeting, May 19.

Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.

Prof. Charles Picot, a newly elected member, was presented
to the presiding officer, and took his seat.

Letters were received and read:—

From the President of Georgetown College, Ky., dated
Georgetown College, Ky., 28th February, 1848, asking a do-
nation of the Transactions of the Society for the Library of
the College :—

From the Proprietors of the Bowditch Library, acknow-
ledging the receipt of Vol. X. Part 1, of the Transactions of
this Society :—

From Harmar Denny, Esq., dated Pittsburg, Sth May, 1848,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber of this Society: and—

From Lieut. J. Melville Gilliss, U.S. N., dated Washington,
16th May, 1848, announcing the death of Dr. Niirnberger, and
offering to send to the Society the continuation of his work.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Eulogy on the Life and Character of John Quincy Adams, delivered
at the request of the Legislature of Massachusetts, in Faneuil
Hall. By Edward Everett. Boston, 1848. 8vo.—rom the
Author.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof. B. Silli-
man, B. Silliman, Jr., and James D. Dana. Second Series.
Vol. V. No. 15. May, 1848. New Haven. 8vo.—From the
Editors.

Twenty-ninth Annual Report and Documents of the New York In-
stitution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, to the Legis-
lature of New York, for the year 1847. New York, 1848.
8vo.—From H. P. Peet, Esq., President.

O Auxiliador da Industria Nacional. Periodico da Sociedade Aux-
iliadora da Industria Nacional, establecido no Rio de Janeiro.
Nos. 5, -, —, 8, 9, 10, 11, for October, 1846, and January,
February, March, and April, 1847. Rio de Janeiro, 1846-7.
8vo.—From the Society.

Memoir, Geographical, Political, and Commercial, cn the Present
State, Productive Resources, and Capabilities for Commerce ot
Siberia, Manchuria, and the Asiatic Islands of the Northern
Pacific Ocean; and on the importance of opening commercial
intercourse with those countries, &c. By Aaron H. Palmer.
Printed by order of the Senate of the United States, March 8,
1848. Washington. 8vo.—From the Hon. G. M. Dallas.

The American Quarterly Register and Magazine. Conducted by
James Stryker. Vol. I. No. 1. May, 1848. Philadelphia.
8vo-—From Prof. Tucker.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XV. No. 5.
May, 1848. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Dr. Patterson announced the death of the Rev. Ashbel
Green, D.D., in the 86th year of his age, which event occurred
this morning, at 6 o’clock.

On motion of Dr. Patterson, Dr. Miller, of Princeton, was
requested to prepare an obituary notice of Dr. Green.

Pending nomination No. 224, and new nomination No.
225, were read.

On motion of Dr. F. Bache, the letter of the President of
the Georgetown College, Ky., was referred to the Committee
on Publications, with authority to take order thereon.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, the application made by Wm.
B. Reed, Esq. on behalf of Mr. G. W. Greene, of Rhode Island,
for permission to have an index made of the correspondence
of Gen. Greene, in the possession of the Society, was granted,
provided that the same should be done under the inspection of
the Librarian.

Stated Meeting, June 16.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From Dr. Geddings, dated Charleston, S. C., 25th May, 1848,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber of this Society :—

From the Royal Society of Seiences of Copenhagen, dated
Copenhagen, 20th April, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of
Vol. IX. Part 2d, of the Transactions; of Vol. II. and III. of
the Proceedings; of the Transactions of the Historical and
Literary Committee, 1843; and of Dr. Dunglison’s Public
Discourse on Mr. Du Ponceau; and announcing a donation to
the Society :—

From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. V. No. 40, of the
Proceedings of the Society: and—

From P. A. Browne, Esq., dated Philadelphia, 10th June,
1848, announcing the formation of a Society for the Develop-
ment of the Mineral Resources of the United States, and asking
that they may be put upon the list of the correspondents of
this Society.

On motion of Judge Kane, the society just named was placed
on the list of correspondents of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

A Catalogue of those Stars in the Histoire Celeste Francaise of Jeréme
de Lalande, for which tables of reduction to the epoch 1800
have been published by Prof. Schumacher. Reduced at the ex-
pense of the British Association for the Advancement of Science,
under the immediate superintendence of the late Francis Baily,
Esq. Printed at the expense of Her Majesty’s Government.
London, 1847. 8vo.—From the British Association for the
Advancement of Science.

A Catalogue of 9766 Stars in the Southern Hemisphere, for the be-

ginning of the year 1750; from the observations of the Abbé de
Lacaille, made at the Cape of Good Hope, in the years 1751 and
1752. Reduced at the expense of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, under the immediate superintendence of
the late Professor Henderson, Director of the Royal Observatory,
Edinburgh; and printed at the expense of Her Majesty’s Govern-
ment, under the direction of the late Francis Baily, Esq.; with a
Preface by Sir J. F. W. Herschell. London, 1847. 8vo.—
From the same.

Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII. No. 4.
Feb. 11, 1848. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Boletin de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais, de Valencia.
Ano 9°. Tomo 5°. Enero de 1848. Valencia, 1848. 4to.—
From the Economic Society of Valencia.

Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu
Gottingen. Vol. III. 1845 to 1847. Gottingen, 1847. 8vo.—
From the Royal Society of Sciences of Gottingen.

Nachrichten von der Georg Augusts Universitat, und der Kéniglichen
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Géttingen. For the years
1846 and 1847. 2 Vols. 8vo. Géttingen, 1846-7.—From the
same.

Bemerkungen tiber Gyps und Karstenit. Von Joh. Friedr. Ludw.
Hausmann. Géttingen, 1847. 4to.—From Prof. Hausmann.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 6.
June, 1848. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 66. June, 1848.—
From Lea & Blanchard.

Journal of the Proceedings of the Bishops, Clergy and Laity of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America,
assembled in a General Convention, held in St. Andrew’s Church,
in the City of Philadelphia, from Oct. 2 to Oct. 28, 1844; with
an Appendix, containing the Constitution and Canons, a List of
the Clergy, &c. New York, 1844. 8vo.—From James J.
Barclay, Esq.

Letters to the People of New Jersey on the Frauds, Extortions and
Oppressions of the Rail-road Monopoly. By a Citizen of Bur-
lington. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo.—Anonymous.

Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Naturvidenskabe-
lige og Mathematiske Afhandlinger. Vol. XII. Copenhagen,
1846. 4to.—From the Royal Society of Copenhagen.

Oversigt over det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs For-
handlinger, og dets Medlemmers Arbeider i Aaret 1846. Copen-
hagen, 1847. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Questiones a Societate Regia Danica Scientiarum, anno 1847, cum
preemii promisso propositee.—From the same.

An Investigation of the Theories of the Natural History of Man, by
Lawrence, Prichard, and others, founded upon Animal Analogies :
and an Outline of a New Natural History of Man, founded upon
History, Anatomy, Physiology and Human Analogies. By Wm.
F. Van Amringe. New York, 1848. 8vo.—From the Author,
through Dr. S. G. Morton.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

On motion of Mr. G. W. Smith, the use of the Hall of the
Society was tendered to the Convention on the subject of Penal
Reform, for the purpose of holding their meetings in.

Stated Meeting, July 21.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read: —

From the Royal Institute of Sciences, Belles Lettres and
Arts of the Low Countries, dated Amsterdam, 15th March,
1848, accompanying a donation to this Society :—

From the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh, dated Edinburgh,
14th December, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IV.
No. 39, and Vol. V. No. 40, of the Proceedings of this So-
ciety :— .

From Prof. A. D. Bache, dated Washington, 12th June,
1848, on transmitting sheets of the Coast Survey Maps: and—

From Judge Jones, dated Girard College, July, 1848, ac-
knowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member
of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Niewe Verhandelingen der Herste Klasse van het Koninklijk Neder-
landsche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone

Kunsten te Amsterdam. Vol. XIII. Amsterdam, 1848. 4to.—
Frem the Royal Institute of the Netherlands.

Tijdschrift voor de Wis-en Natuurkundige Wetenschappen, uitge-
geven door de Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten.
Vol. I. Nos. 1, 2, 3. Amsterdam, 1847-8. 8vo.—From the
same.

Report of the Acting Secretary of the Treasury, communicating a
Report of the Register of the Treasury, of the Commerce and
Navigation of the United States, for the year ending 30th June,
1847. Washington, Dec. 14, 1847. 8vo.—From the Hon.
Joseph R. Ingersoll.

A Sermon before the Churchmen’s Missionary Association for Sea-
men of the Port of Philadelphia. By the Right Rey. Alonzo
Potter, Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Preached Sun-
day evening, February 20, 1848, in St. Andrew’s Church. 8vo.—
From the Author.

Address of the Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, D.D., to the Sixty-Fourth
Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of
Pennsylvania. Delivered May 17, 1848. 8vo.—From the
Author.

Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. XV. No.6. June, 1848.—From the Franklin
Institute.

Two Sheets of United States Coast Survey Maps. (Harbours of
Edgartown, Black Rock and Bridgeport.)—From A. D. Bache,
Superintendent of Survey, through the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.

Henry G. Bohn’s Catalogue of Books. London, 1847.—From the
Publisher, H. G. Bohn.

Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh, by the late Thomas Henderson, Her Majesty’s Astronomer
for Scotland. Reduced and edited by his successor, Charles
Piazzi Smyth, F.R.S.E., &c. Vol. VII. for 1841. Published
by order of Her Majesty’s Government. Edinburgh, 1848. 4to.—
From the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII.
Nos. 5, 6 and 7 March, April and May, 1848; with Index to
Vol. VII.—From the Royal Astronomical Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Second Series. Vol. I. Nos. 5 and 6.
May and June, 1848.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart.

Thoughts on the Principles of Taxation, with reference to a Property
Tax, and its Exceptions. By Charles Babbage, Esq. London,
1848. 8vo.— Anonymous.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Professors
Silliman and Dana. Second Series. Vol. VI. No. 16. July,
1848. New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 67. July, 1848. 8vo.—
From Lea & Blanchard.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. Vol. XXXI. New Series. July, 1848. 8vo.—
From the Editor.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXiV. No. 7.
July, 1848.—From the American Colonization Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 14. May, 1848.
London.—From the Society. |

Dr. R. M. Patterson presented a communication from Mr.
Charles M. Wetherill, entitled, “On the Neutral Sulphate of
the Oxide of Ethyle and the Products of its Decomposition,”
which was referred to a Committee, consisting of Profs. Booth,
F. Bache and Frazer.

There being no quorum present, the stated business of the
meeting, the election of members, could not be proceeded
with.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Stated Meeting, Jugust 18.
Present, fifteen members.
A. D. Bacuez, LL.D., Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester,
dated 6th July, 1845; and from the Horticultural Society of
London, dated 4th July, 1848, each acknowledging the receipt
of Vol. X. Part 1, of the Transactions, and Nos. 39 and 40 of
the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Fifteenth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.
1847. Svyo.—From the Society.

Boletin de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais, de Valencia.
Afio 9°. Tomo 5°. April, 1848. 8yvo.-—From the Society.
Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Vol.
I., from May, 1846, to May, 1848. Boston and Cambridge.

8vo.—From the Academy.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
For May and June, 1848. 8vo.—From the Academy.

Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, made to the Legislature, March 2, 1848. 8vo.—From
the Regents of the University of New York.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVI. No.1.
July, 1848. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 68. August, 1848.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIX. No. 8.
August, 1848. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.

An Address delivered at the laying of the Corner Stone of the House
of Refuge for Coloured Juvenile Delinquents, on Saturday, July 1,
1848. By James J. Barclay, A.M. 8vo.—From the Author.

Messages of the President of the United States, with the Correspon-
dence therewith communicated, between the Secretary of War
and the Officers of the Government, on the subject of the Mexi-
can War. Washington, 1848. 8vo.—From the Hon. J. R.
Ingersoll.

Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, show-
ing the Operations, Expenditures and Condition of the Institution.
Washington, January 6, 1848. 8vo.—From the Hon. G. M.
Dallas.

Memorial of D. L. Dix, praying a Grant of Land for the Relief and
Support of the Indigent Curable and Incurable Insane in the Uni-
ted States. Washington, June 27,1848. 8vo.—From the same.

The following communication was received from Professor
Alexander, relative to some observations made by himself and
Dr. Philip Ten Eyck, Professor in the Albany Academy, on
the small eclipse of the sun, which occurred in March last.

VOL. V.—E

Princeton, July 25, 1848.

My Dear Sir,—I had intended ere this to have sent to the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society, a minute of the observations made by Dr.
Philip Ten Eyck, Professor in the Albany Academy, and myself, on
the small eclipse of the sun, which occurred in March last.

The place of observation was a few rods N. E. of the Albany
Academy, the position of which, according to the table in the Ameri-
can Almanac, is in Lat. 42° 39' 3” N., Longitude 73° 44’ 49” W.
of Greenwich.

The weather both before and after the eclipse was very change-
able, and we, consequently, contented ourselves with an imperfect
observation of the sun’s transit on the day before, applying, after-
ward, corrections for rate, by a comparison of the patent lever watch,
which we used, with a clock furnished with a compensation pendu-
lum. These observations and reductions were made by Dr. Ten
Eyck.

The beginning was lost by my having inadvertently taken the
angle with the north pole for the angle with the vertical.

Indentation first perceived (in a small telescope) by Dr. Ten
Eyck, at—

Th 37m 42s.4 mean time, civil reckoning.
Sis G4 5.4 indentation no longer certain.
4 18.4 indentation had certainly disappeared.

At 8h Im 46s.4, or about 25 minutes before the end, I perceived
an elevation or projection of the cusps beyond the natural outline of
the remainder of the sun’s disc. I was led to conclude that it could
hardly be a mere optical deception, from the fact that it rather
seemed to increase as the moon’s disc seemingly slipped off, or sepa-
rated from that of the sun, by avery oblique movement; and the
same appearance was not noticed at a period equally near to the
beginning.

The telescope which I used was from the manufactory of Uschnei-
der & Fraunhofer. Eye-piece adjusted for direct vision; power 80;
screen-glass red.

The projections were, it may be, rather more conspicuous than in
the enclosed sketch, made after completing the observations, in which
I was careful not to overrate the appearance.

I remain, dear sir, yours, very truly,

STEPHEN ALEXANDER.

A communication was received from Dr. John Locke, of
Cincinnati, Ohio, on his “ Gravity Escapement with Detached
Detents,’’ which was referred to a Committee, consisting of
Mr. Downes, Prof. A. D. Bache, and Mr. Saxton.

Dr. Patterson laid before the Society specimens of two
minerals from the diamond mines of Brazil, received through
Mr. Ernest Pailhet, a merchant of Paris, now in Philadelphia,
by whom they were first introduced into commerce.

One of these minerals occurs in irregular black lumps of consider-
able size, and is found in the diamond grounds one or two feet below
the surface. It is considered a certain indication of the presence of
diamonds, which, indeed, are sometimes found inside of its masses.
Its structure is perfectly vitreous, and it appears to be a pure ob-
sidian.

The other, called “ Diamond Carbon,” or “ Black Diamond,” is
found in the same locality. It cuts all other minerals, including the
diamond itself, upon which it acts with as much rapidity as the dia-
mond dust. The specific gravity of the smaller piece is 3.01. ‘These
minerals first attracted attention at the diamond mines, about six
years ago. The “ Diamond Carbon” is sold here at 75 cents per
carat of 3} grains troy, being about 25 cents per grain, or about
six times the value of gold.

Dr. P. conceives that the ‘“ Diamond Carbon” will be found ex-
ceedingly useful in the arts, being applicable to all purposes for which
diamond dust is now used.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Stated Meeting, September 15.
Present, twenty members.

Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Lieut. J. Melville Gilliss, U.S.N., a recently elected mem-
ber, was presented to the presiding officer and took his seat.

A letter was received and read:—

From Prince Metternich, dated Vienna, February, 1847,
announcing a donation to the Society :—.

From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset
House, 15th June, 1848; and from the Linnean Society, dated
Soho Square, London, 22d June, 1848, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of Vol. X. Part I. of the Transactions, and Nos. 36 to 39
of the Proceedings of this Society :—

From the Holland Academy of Sciences, at Harlem, dated
Harlem, 29th July, 1848, announcing a donation to this So-
ciety: and—

From the Honourable, the Secretary of the Navy, dated
Washington, 30th August, 1848, on the subject of the proposed
astronomical observations for the parallax of the planets Venus
and Mars.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XVIII.
Part I. 1848.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Nos. 30 to 34.
From June 2, 1846, to March 7, 1848.—From the Society.
Charter and By-Laws of the Linnean Society of London. 1848.—

From the same.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany
and Geology. Second Series. Vol. Il. No. 7. July, 1848.—
From Sir William Jardine, Bart.

Die Cephalopoden des Salzkammergutes, aus der Sammlung seiner
Durchlaucht des Fiirsten von Metternich. Ein Beitrag zur
Paleeontologie der Alpen. Von Franz Ritter von Hauer: Mit
einem Vorworte von Wilhelm Haidinger.—From Prince Met-
ternich.

Journal Asiatique. Tome X. No. 50, et Tome XI. Nos. 51 au 54.
November, 1847, to May, 1848.—From the Asiatic Society of
Paris.

Boston Journal of Natural History. Vol. V. No. 4.—F rom the
Boston Society of Natural History.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVI. No. 2.
August, 1848.—From the Institute.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Professors
Silliman and Dana. Second Series. Vol. VII. No. 17. Sept.
1848.—From the Editors.

Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XXI. Part 2.—
From the Royal Irish Academy.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 9.
September, 1848.—From the American Colonization Society.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 69. Sept. 1848.—
From Lea & Blanchard.

Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From April 4 to August 1, 1848, inclusive-—From the
College of Physicians.

The Committee (Profs. Booth, F. Bache, and Frazer,) upon
Dr. Charles M. Wetherill’s paper “ On the Neutral Sulphate
of the Oxide of Ethyl and the Products of its Decomposi-
tion,’ reported, recommending its publication in the Trans-
actions of the Society, and the publication was ordered ac-
cordingly.

Although neutral sulphate of oxide of ethyl, the true sulphuric
ether, has been sought for in vain, and doubtless often formed, Dr.
W. has first succeeded in isolating it, and studying its properties.
It is prepared by slowly passing the vapours of anhydrous sulphuric
acid into pure ether, surrounded by ice and salt; agitating the mix-
ture with 1 volume ether and 4 volumes water, separating the two
strata of liquids, agitating the ether solution with milk of lime, wash-
ing with water, and distilling off the ether. ‘The oily liquid in the
retort is transferred to a capsule, washed with a little water, and dried
in vacuo over oil of vitriol The aqueous solution contains sul-
phurous, ethionic, and sulphovinic acid, and if the temperature were
not kept low, it contains, in addition, isethionic and methionic acids.

When pure, the neutral sulphate is a colourless oily liquid, of a
pungent taste and peppermint odour, sp. gr. 1.12; distils with great
difficulty, even in an atmosphere of carbonic acid; the distillate
is colourless, neutral, and heavier than water. Chlorine is dis-
solved by it in the cold, without decomposition, giving a green colour,
and the oil is again precipitated by water. A solution of potassa,
saturated with sulphuretted hydrogen, changes it into mercaptan and
sulphate of potassa; C, H,O,SO;, + KS, HS=C,H,S, HS + KO,
SO,. Itis soluble, unaltered in fuming nitric acid, but by adding
potassa and heating, nitrous ether is formed (C, H,O, NO,). Treated
with muriatic acid and potassa, a heavy oil distils over, with an odour
of apples. With water, the oil disappears entirely, leaving an acid
solution. ‘The carbon and hydrogen were determined by combus-

tion with oxide of copper, with chromate of lead, and with a mixture
of oxide of copper and chlorate of potassa; the sulphuric acid by
chloride of barium. The result was C, H,O, SO,.

By the action of water, aided by heat, the oil entirely disappears,
and if carbonate of baryta be added, and the filtered solution be
evaporated, crystals of methionate of baryta separate, and the re-
mainder of this salt is thrown down by alcohol. The methionate is
proved by its properties and analysis. The mother liquor yields a
salt, soluble in alcohol, which is shown to be an equal mixture of
sulphovinate and isethionate of baryta, by analysis and behaviour.
For sulphovinic acid is resolved, by boiling, into sulphuric acid and
alcohol, while the latter is not. By determining the baryta in the
mixture, boiling the acids, removing the free acid by carbonate of
baryta, and determining the baryta in the last solution of isethionate,
the weight of the former is about double that of the latter.

It follows, from these experiments, that the usual explanation of
the formation of heavy oil of wine, previous to that of ethionic acid,
is erroneous, for not the slightest trace of the heavy oil of wine is
found in the substance resulting from the action of anhydrous sul-
phuric acid on ether or alcohol. The probable rationale is, that the
anhydrous sulphuric acid partly forms directly the neutral sulphate
of ether (C, H,O, SO;), and partly decomposes the ether, forming
Regnault’s sulphate of olefiant gas (4 SO,,C, H,), which takes up
1 eq. water to form ethionic acid (4 SO,,C,H,O). Another por-
tion of the acid takes up water and unites with ether, producing sul-
phovinic acid (C, H,O, 2SO,, HO). In the case of alcohol, part of
the sulphuric acid takes up water and unites with a portion of alcohol,
forming hydrated sulphovinic acid, while the liberated ether partly
forms the neutral sulphate and partly ethionic acid. The products
of decomposition sufficiently distinguish the neutral sulphate from the
heavy oil of wine. 4 eq. of the neutral sulphate with 3 eq. water,
are first resolved into ethionic acid, and 3 eq. alcohol, and by the
action of heat, into isethionic and sulphovinic acids and alcohol, as
shown in the following equation. 4 (C,H O, SO,;)+3 HO=
C,H,0, 480, + 3(C, H,O, HO) =C, H,0, 2 80, + C, H,0,
HO, 2SO, + 2 (C, H,O, HO).

Dr. F. Bache announced the death of Prof. J. J. Berzelius,
at Stockholm, in the 69th year of his age.

Dr. Boyé exhibited to the Society a specimen of tea, artifici-
ally coloured, which had been handed to him for examination.

He was unable to detect any distinct colouring matter, and be-
lieves it to have been coloured by the dust of a superior kind
of tea. The colour on the outside was a fine green, and ex-
hibits a high lustre, but when this is scraped off, the colour in
the inside is much darker. The colouring is done in China.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, Dr. Patterson, Mr. M‘Culloh,
and Prof. Kendall, were appointed a Committee, with power
to confer with a Committee of the Academy of Arts and Sci-
ences of Boston, and with Lieut. Gilliss, on the subjects re-
ferred to in the letter of the Secretary of the Navy, read this
evening, and they were authorized to take such action upon
the subject as they may deem expedient.

Stated Meeting, October 6.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was received and read:—

From John M. Scott, Esq., dated Philadelphia, 15th Sep-
tember, 1848, resigning his membership in the Society, which
resignation was accepted.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Report of the Seventeenth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, held at Oxford, in June, 1847.—From
the British Association.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including, Zoology, Botany
and Geology. Vol. Il. Second Series. No. 8. August, 1848.—
From Sir William Jardine.

Travaux de la Société d’Histoire Naturelle de I’Ile Maurice: du 6
Octobre, 1842, au 24 Aout, 1846.—From the Natural History
Society of Mauritius.

Monograph of the Fossil Squalidee of the United States. By Robert
W. Gibbes, M.D., of Columbia, South Carolina.—From the
Author.

Statistics of Coal. The Geographicai and Geological Distribution of

Mineral Combustibles or Fossil Fuel; including, also, Notices and
Localities of the various Mineral Bituminous Substances em-
ployed in the Arts and Manufactures: illustrated by Maps and
Diagrams ; embracing, from Official Reports of the great Coal
producing countries, the respective amounts of their Production,
Consumption and Commercial Distribution in all parts of the
world; together with their Prices, Tariffs, Duties and Interna-
tional Regulations. Accompanied by nearly Four Hundred Sta-
tistical Tables, and Eleven Hundred Analyses of Mineral Com-
bustibles, with incidental Statements of the Statistics of Iron
Manufactures, derived from authentic Authorities. Prepared by
Richard Cowling Taylor, Fellow of the Geological Society of
London, Member of the American Philosophical Society, &c.
&c.—From the Author.

First, Second and Third Annual Reports on the Geology of the State
of Vermont. By C. B. Adams, State Geologist.—From the
Author.

Ninth Geological Report to the Twenty-seventh General Assembly
of the State of Tennessee, made in November, 1847. By G.
Troost, M.D.—From the Author.

Report of the Secretary of War, communicating, in answer to a re-
solution of the Senate, a Report and Map of the examination of
New Mexico, made by Lieutenant J. W. Abert, of the Topo-
graphical Corps.—From Col. Abert.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. IV.
No. 12. September, 1848.—From the Lyceum.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. ‘Third Series. Vol. XVI. No. 3.
September, 1848.—From the Institute.

Review of an Address of the Joint Board of Directors of the Delaware
and Raritan Canal, and Camden and Amboy Rail-road Com-
panies, to the People of New Jersey. By a Citizen of Burling-
ton.—From Henry C. Carey, Esq.

An Essay on the Philosophy of Medical Science. By Elisha Bart-
lett, M.D.—From the Author.

An Inquiry into the Degree of Certainty in Medicine, and into the
Nature and Extent of its Power over Disease. By Elisha Bart-
lett, M.D.—F rom the same.

On the Distinctive Characters of Cypreea Reticulata of Martyn, and
Cyprzea Histrio of Meuschen. By John H. Redfield.—From
the Author.

Descriptions of New Species of Bullia and Marginella, with Notes

upon G. B. Sowerby, Jr.’s Monograph of the latter Genus. By
John H. Redfield.—From the same.

The Committee appointed, at the last meeting, to confer
with a Committee of the Academy of Arts and Sciences of
Boston, and with Lieut. Gilliss, on the subjects referred to in
a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, read on the 15th of
September, reported their action.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

On motion, the South Carolina College was placed on the
list of correspondents of this Society.

Special Meeting, October 13.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.

The President stated that the Society had been called to-
gether to receive the award of the arbitrators in the matter in
dispute between the Society and Mr. W. D. Lewis.

Which award having been read, together with a letter from
the counsel of the Society, the Society adopted the resolutions
presented to them by the Committee on Finance.

On motion of Judge Kane, the thanks of the Society were
presented to Messrs. T. I. Wharton and H. J. Williams, who
had officiated so assiduously and ably as counsel for the Society.

Stated Meeting, October 20.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Royal Society of Sciences of Stockholm, dated
Stockholm, 1st November, 1847, transmitting a donation to the
Library, and announcing the receipt of Vol. IX. Part 2, of the

VOL. V.—F

Transactions, and Nos. 32 to 37, inclusive, of the Proceedings
of this Society: and—

From the Lyceum of Natural History of New York, ac-
knowledging the receipt of Vol. 1X. Part 3, and Vol. X. Part
1, of the Transactions, and Nos. 2—6 to 12, and 15 to 40, in-
clusive, of the Proceedings of the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar: 1845. Parts 1 and
2.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.

Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Férhandlingar. Arg. 3.
Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10: 1846: and Arg. 4. Nos. 1 to 6, incl. 1847.—
From the same.

Berattelse om Framstegen i Fysik, aren 1843, och 1844: afgifven
ull Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien. Af A. F. Svanberg och P.
A. Siljestré6m.—From the same.

Arsberattelse om Zoologiens Framsteg under aren 1843 och 1844;
till Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien ; afgifven af Zoologize Inten-
denterna vid Rikets Naturhistoriska Museum. Féorsta Delen
(Anim. Vertebrata,) af C. J. Sundevall.— From the same.

Tal hallet vid Preesidii nedlaggande uti Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akade-
mien, den 7 April, 1841, af N. G. Sefstrém.—From the same.

Guide to Northern Archeology, by the Royal Society of Northern
Antiquaries at Copenhagen. Edited for the use of English
Readers, by the Right Hon. Earl of Ellesmere. London, 1848.—
From President Edward Everett.

Reduction of the Observations of the Moon, made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, from 1750 to 1830. Computed by order
of the Lords Commissioners of the ‘Treasury, under the Superin-
tendence of George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal.
Vol. I. containing Investigation of Moon’s Right Ascension: Vol.
II. containing Investigation of Moon’s North Polar Distance, and
Comparison of Moon’s Observed and Tabular Placee—F rom the
Royal Society, London.

Magnetical and Meteorclogical Observations, made at the Royal
Observatory, Greenwich, in the year 1845; under the direction
of George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal. Published
by order of the Board of Admiralty.— From the same.

Archzologia; or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity. Pub-

lished by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vol. XXXII.—
From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 15. August 1,
1848.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII.
No. 8. June 9, 1848.—F rom the Society.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Vol. II. No. 9. Sept. 1848.—From Sir Wil-
liam Jardine, Bart.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. I. Part 2.—From the Academy.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXXII. New Series. Oct. 1848.—From
Dr. Isaac Hays.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 70. Oct. 1848.—
From Messrs. Lea §; Blanchard.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 10.
Oct. 1848.—From the American Colonization Society.

Mr. Geo. M. Justice exhibited to the Society a spy-glass,
made by Merz and Son, of Munich, which he conceived to be
superior in several respects to other instruments of equal mag-
nitude.

The superiority of the instrument he stated to consist in the great
perfection of the glasses, combining space-penetrating power, and dis-
tinctness of vision; although the object glass is only 12 inches in
diameter, and the focal length 31 inches. The tubes slide into each
other, as in the common spy-glass, thus reducing its length so as to
be entirely portable.

By the simple arrangement of a sliding eye-glass, an increased
magnifying power is obtained, which may be so graduated as to give
the force of a telescope carrying a magnifying power of about 40.
Thus, what is only a spy-glass, fitted for terrestrial purposes, may in-
stantly be converted into a telescope for celestial observations; the
collimation being preserved by marks on the tube. With this glass
all the familiar scenery of the moon is clearly defined, and so satis-
factory is it, that parts which have been considered tests of powerful
instruments are distinctly visible. Thus, on the sides and top of the
lunar range, known as the Appenines, the crater-form appearances
may be seen well defined. Some of the double stars are beautifully
separated; and clusters of stars are visible through this instrument

which others of much larger dimensions have heretofore been used to
resolve. It thus affords to the amateur astronomer the advantage of
a cheap, portable, and satisfactory instrument.

Their being no quorum present, the stated business of the
meeting, the election of members, was necessarily postponed.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Dr. Patterson, chairman of the Committee on Finance, re-
ported the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee.

Stated Meeting, November 3.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was received and read:—

From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated Mu-
nich, 31st January, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol.
IV. No. 35, of the Proceedings, and Vol. IX. Part 3, of the
Transactions of this Society, and announcing a donation to the
Library.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Gelehrte Anzeigen: Herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der Kéniglich
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vol. XXIV. Janu-
ary to June; and Vol. XXV. July to December, 1847. Munich,
1847. 4to.—From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences.

Abhandlungen der Mathematisch Physikalischen Classe der Konig-
lich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vol. V. Part 1.
Munich, 1847. 4to.—From the same.

Bulletin der Konigl. Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften: for
the year 1847. Nos. 1 to 35, inclusive. Munich, 4to.—From
the same.

Extra Impression of the Preface and Introduction to Dr. J. G.
Fliigel’s Practical Dictionary of the English and German Lan-
suages. London, Leipzig, and Hamburg. 1848. 8vo.—From
the Author.

Astronomical Observations made at the Radeliffe Observatory, Ox-

ford, in the year 1846. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A., Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. VII. Oxford, 1848. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe
Trustees.

Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, on the Condition of the State Cabinet of Natural History ;
with a Catalogue of the same. Albany, 1848. 8vo.—From the
Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Outline of the Constitutional History of New York: An Anniversary
Discourse, delivered at the request of the New York Historical
Society, in the City of New York, November 19, 1847. By
Benjamin Franklin Butler. New York, 1848. 8vo.—From the
Author.

Memoir, Geographical, Political, and Commercial, on the present
State, Productions, Resources, and Capabilities for Commerce, of
Siberia, Manchuria, and the Asiatic Islands of the Northern Pa-
cific Ocean; and on the importance of opening commercial in-
tercourse with those Countries. Addressed to His Excellency,
James K. Polk, President of the United States. By Aaron H.
Palmer. Printed by order of the Senate. Washington, 1848.
8vo.—From A. H. Palmer, Esq.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVI. No. 4.
October, 1848. Philadelphia. Svo.—From the Institute.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 18.
November, 1848. New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 11.
November, 1848. Washington. 8vo.—From the American
Colonization Society.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Stated Meeting, November 17.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Parrrrson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, 17th June,
1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X. Part 1 of the
Transactions, and Vol. IV. of the Proceedings of the Society:
and—

From the Royal Academy of Belgium, dated Brussels, 20th
August, 1848, announcing a donation to the Society.
The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Vol. IX. No. 18,and Vol. X. Part 3. London, 1847-8. 8vo.—
From the Royal Asiatic Society.

Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester.
Second Series. Vol. VIII. London, 1848. 8vo.—From the
Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Second Series. Vol. II. No. 10. London, 1848.
8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart.

Q. D. B. V. Auctoritate et sub auspiciis Augustissimi ac Potentis-
simi Principis et Domini Friderici Gulielmi I. Electoris et Land-
gravil Hassiz, Magni Ducis Fulde, &c. ad Novi Prorectoris In-
augurationem, die 10 Septembris, 1848, concelebrandam, invitat
Prorector Magistratu abiturus, Christianus Ludovicus Gerling,
Phil. Doct. Math. Phys. atque astron. P. P.O. Inest commen-
tatio inscripta. Nachricht von dem Mathematisch Physicalischen
Institut der Universitat Marburg. Marburg, 1848. 4to.—From
the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VI. No. 71. November,
1848. 8vo.—From Lea 5 Blanchard.

The minutes of the Board of Officers were read.
Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Stated Meeting, December 1.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, dated Ber-
lin, 15th August, 1848, accompanying a donation to the So-
ciety :—

From Prof. Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Instiution,

dated Washington, 17th November, 1848, accompanying a
programme of organization of the Smithsonian Institution, and
a circular of questions prepared in order to collect as accurate
statistics as possible of the varicus public libraries of the Uni-
ted States; which, on motion, were referred to the Secretaries
and Librarian to answer; and announcing a donation to the
Library: and—

From Mr. Benjamin A. Gould, Jr., dated Cambridge, Mass.,
24th November, 1848, in reference to certain works addressed
to the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin; aus dem Jahre 1846. Berlin, 1848. 4to.—F rom the
Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin.

Monatsbericht der Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. July
1847, to June 1848, inclusive. Berlin, 1848. 8vo.— Fyrom the
same.

Bulletin de la Societé de Géographie. ‘Troisiéme Série. Tome
VIN. Paris, 1847. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of
Paris.

Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome XI. No. 55, et Tome
XII. No. 56. Juin et Juillet, 1848. Paris, 1848. 8vo.—From
the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII.
No. 9. Supplement. London, 1848. 8vo.—From the Royal
Astronomical Society of London.

A Synopsis of the Commercial and Revenue System of the United
States, as developed by Instructions and Decisions of the Trea-
sury Department, for the Administration of the Revenue Laws;
accompanied with a Supplement of Historical and Tabular Illus-
trations of the Origin, Organization, and Practical Operations of
the Treasury Department, and its various Bureaus, in fulfilment
of that System. By Robert Mayo, M.D. 2 Vols. 4to. Wash-
ington, 1847.—From the Author.

The Character and Labours of Linnzus. An Address delivered be-
fore the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College, Gettys-
burg, Pa., at the Annual Commencement, September 20, 1848.
By Henry 8. Patterson, M.D., Professor of Materia Medica, &c.

in the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College, Philadelphia.
Gettysburg, 1848. 8vo.—From Professor Stoever.

Report on the Subject of International Exchanges. By Alexandre
Vattemare. Washington, 1848. 8vo.—From the Hon. John
A. Dix.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVI. No. 5.
November, 1848. Philadelphia. &vo.—From the Institute.
Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association, adopted May,
1847. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaac Hays.

The Treasurer presented his annual report, which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance.

The Committee on Publications made their annual report.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Stated Meeting, December 15.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Dr. Patrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Mr. Baker was introduced by Mr. M‘Culloh, as a member
of a corresponding Society, and took his seat.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Imperial Academy of Sciences, dated St. Peters-
burg, 9th October, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X.
Part 1, of the Transactions, and the Proceedings of this So-
ciety, Vol. IV. Nos. 36 to 39, inclusive:—

From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, dated
Boston and Cambridge, 7th December, 1848, announcing a do-
nation to this Society: and—

From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester,
dated Manchester, 17th October, 1848, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of Vol. V. No. 40, of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Stellarum Duplicium et Multiplicium Mensure Micrometrice per
magnum Fraunhoferi Tubum, annis a 1824 ad 1837, in Specula
Dorpatensi institute; adjecta est Synopsis Observationum de

Stellis Compositis Dorpati, annis 1814 ad 1824, per minora in-
strumenta perfectarum. Auctore F. G. W. Struve, in Universi-
tate Dorpatensi Astronomize Professore et Speculee Directore, &c.
&c. St. Petersburg, 1837. Folio.—From the Imperial Aca-
demy of Sciences, St. Petersburg.

Additamentum in F. G. W. Struve, Mensuras Micrometricas Stella-
rum Duplicium editas anno 1837, exhibens Mensuras Dorpati
annis 1837 et 1838 institutas. Adjecta est Disquisitio de paral-
laxi annua stelle a Lyre. St. Petersburg, 1840. 4to.—From
the same.

Catalogue de 514 Etoiles doubles et multiples, découvertes sur V’hé-
misphére céleste boréal, par la grande lunette de l’Observatoire
Central de Poulkova; et Catalogue de 256 Etoiles doubles princi-
pales ou la distance des composantes est de 32 secondes 4 2 mi-
nutes, et qui se trouvent sur |’hémisphére boréal. Publié par
VAcadémie Impériale des Sciences. St. Petersburg, 1845. to.
From the same.

Déscription de VObservatoire Astronomique Central de Poulkova.
Par F. G. W. Struve, Directeur de |’Observatoire. St. Peters-
burg, 1845. 2 Vols. 4to.—From the same.

Expédition Chronométrique exécutée par l’ordre de sa Majesté ?Em-
pereur Nicholas ler, entre Poulkova et Altona, pour la détermi-
nation de la Longitude Géographique relative de l’Observatoire
Central de Russie. Rapports faits a ’ Académie Impériale des
Sciences de St. Petersbourg. Par F. G. W. Struve, Membre de
Académie. St. Petersburg, 1844. 4to.—From the same.

Astronomische Ortsbestimmungen in der Europaischen Tirkei, in
Kaukasien und Klein Asien, nach den von den Officieren des
Kaiserlichen Generalstabes in den Jahren 1828 bis 1832 anges-
tellten Astronomischen Beobachtungen: Abgeleitet und Zusam-
mengestellt von F. G. W. Struve. St. Petersburg, 1845. Ato.
From the same.

Table des Positions Géographiques Principales de la Russie: Redi-
gee par M. W. Struve, Directeur de l’Observatoire Central de
Poulkova. St. Petersburg, 1845. 4to.—From the same.

Librorum in Bibliotheca Speculze Pulcoyensis contentorum Catalogus
Systematicus. Ex opere Descriptionis Specule, seorsim excudi
curavit, indice alphabetico, et preefatione auxit F. G. W. Struve.
St. Petersburg, 1845. 8vo.—F'rom the same.

Catalogus Stellarum ex Zonis Regiomontanis: Positiones Mediz Stel-
larum Fixarnm in Zonis Regiomontanis a Besselio inter — 15°

VOL. V.—G

et + 15° declinationis observatarum, ad annum 1825, reducte et
in Catalogum ordinate: Auctore Maximiliano Weisse, Astron.
Prof. et Direct. Speculze Cracoviensis. Jussu Acad. Imp. Petrop.
edi curavit et prefatus est F. G. W. Struve. St. Petersburg,
1846. 4to.—From the same.

Memoires de l’Academie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg.
Sciences Mathematiques et Physiques, Tome IV. 5 & 6 Livrai-
sons: Tome V.1 & 2 Livr. Sciences Naturelles, Tome VI. 1
& 2 Livr. Sciences Politiques, Tome VII. 4,5 & 6 Livr. St.
Petersburg, 1847-8. 4to.—From the same.

Recueil des Actes de la Séance Publique de ’ Académie Impériale des
Sciences de St. Petersbourg, tenue le 29 Decembre, 1845: et
Recueil des Actes de la Séance tenue 11 Janvier, 1847. 2 Vols.
Ato. St. Petersburg, 1847.—From the same.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. New Se-
ries. Vol. III. Cambridge and Boston, 1848. 4to.—F rom the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 72. December,
1848. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Messrs. Leu & Blanchard.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIV. No. 12.
December, 1848. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Co-
lonization Society.

List of Members and Correspondents of the Academy of Natural Sci-
ences of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1848. 4to.—From the Aca-
demy.

Prof. Loomis read a portion of a sketch of the progress of
Astronomical Science within the last few years, prepared for
the Smithsonian Institution, at the request of Prof. Henry.

The communication gave rise to remarks from Dr. Patter-
son, Mr. Justice, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Roberts.

Mr. Wagner, from the Committee of Finance, made their
annual report, recommending the annual appropriations; which
on motion of Judge Kane, were agreed to.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

why

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Voir Ve JANUARY—MARCH, 1849. No. 42.

Stated Meeting, January 5.

Present, twenty members.

Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The returns of the election for officers, held this day, were
presented and read, when it appeared that the following gen-
tlemen had been elected:—

President.

Dr. Robert M. Patterson.

Vice- Presidents.
Dr. Franklin Bache,
Alexander Dallas Bache,
John K. Kane.

Secretaries.
Dr. Robley Dunglison,
John F. Frazer,
Charles B. Trego,
E. Otis Kendall.

Members of the Council for Three Years.

VOL. V.— H

Thomas Biddle,
Isaac Lea,
Hartman Kuhn,
Alfred L. Elwyn.

Curators.

Franklin Peale,
John Price Wetherill,
John C. Cresson.

Treasurer.

Benjamin W. Richards.

The President, upon taking the chair, expressed his thanks
to the Society for the honour which they had done him in
electing him to the office.

Letters were received and read:—

From the First Class of the Royal Institute of Sciences,
Belles Lettres and Arts, of the Low Countries, dated Amster-
dam, 11th October, 1848, announcing a donation to the So-
ciety :—

From the Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, dated
London, 17th November, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of
Vol. X., New Series, Part I., of the Transactions, and of Vol.
IV., Nos. 36, 37, 38, and 39, of the Proceedings of this So-
ciety: and,—

From -Prof. A. D. Bache, Superintendent U. S. Coast Sur-
vey, dated Washington, 2d January, 1849, accompanying a
copy of his Report on the Coast Survey for the past year, and
asking the consideration, by the Society, “of the scientific cha-
racter and results, of the practical results, and of the progress
of the survey, and inviting any suggestions tending to im-
provement in the different departments of the work.”’

Which letter was, on motion of Prof. Frazer, referred to a
Committee, consisting of Dr. R. M. Patterson, Prof. Frazer,
Prof. Kendall, Mr. Justice, and Judge Kane, with instructions
to report at the next meeting of the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten
te Amsterdam. 38e Reeks: len Deels: 1te Stuk. Amsterdam,
1848. 4to.— From the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sci-
ences, S:c.

Tijdschrift voor de Wis-en Natuurkundige Wetenschappen, uitge-
geven door de Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten.
Eerste Deel: 4e aflevering, and Tweede Deel, le and 2e afle-
vering. Amsterdam, 1848. 8vo.—From the same.

A Biographical Sketch of William Franklin, Governor from 1763 to
1776. By William A. Whitehead. Read before the New Jersey

Historical Society, September 27, 1848. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVI. No. 6.
December, 1848. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Slave Question: Letter from Henry C. Carey, Esq., to Nathan
Appleton, Esq. January, 1849. 8vo.— Anonymous.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 73. January, 1849.
Philadelphia. 8yo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.

Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting the Report
of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey. Presented to Con-
gress, December 18, 1848. Washington, 1848.—From Prof.
A. D. Bache, Superintendent of U. S. Coast Survey.

Map of Delaware River and Bay; executed under the Direction of
the Coast Survey of the United States.—From the same.

Prof. Frazer read to the Society the following letter from
Dr. Locke to Dr. Patterson, and exhibited a specimen of the
record made by the clock alluded to.

Cincinnati, Dec. 30th, 1848.
Dear Doctor,

Every inventor is apt to become enamoured of his productions, and
not unfrequently obtrudes them unseasonably upon his friends. With
this view before me, it is not without some hesitation, that I enclose
to you a specimen of the performance of my telegraphic clock, which
I have invented upon the suggestion and solicitation of our able friend,
Sears C. Walker. You will see by the specimen, that the seconds
are marked by lines about half an inch long. The minute zero is
marked by the confluence of two lines, the break between two seconds
being omitted. The five minute signal is a dash, three seconds long,
occurring after the minute zero, but referring back to it. The hour
signal is a similar dash, occurring several seconds before the minute
zero, and referring also to it as the beginning of an hour. Observa-
tions are entered by breaking the circuit by means of a finger key,
under the hand of the observer. ‘They come in in such a manner as
to indicate the exact fraction of the second, legible at least to hun-
dredths. But one clock is needed, and this will register its time at
any part of the circuit. Observers and keys may be stationed also
at any point in the circuit, and they are able to enter their observa-
tions on all the registers included in the line. Thus we have a very
faithful ubiquitary clerk, relieving the observer from every thing but
looking at the stars, and thumbing down his keys.

As the punctum of the observation is at the commencement of the
break, and that may occur in the midst of the little breaks between
the seconds, and thus involve a small fraction of error, I have in-
vented a key which will cause a measured break, say 2 second long,
when either end of the break will be available, and if one is inde-
finite, the other will be measurable by scale and dividers. Bain,
Steinheil, and Wheatstone, have invented telegraphic clocks; but, so
far as I can learn, their object has been to make one clock drive
others at the same rate on various points of the circuit-* The me-
chanical action interferes, too, with the pendulum. ‘The invention
of a clock, having nothing to disturb or obstruct the pendulum, or
otherwise change its rate, and which shall register currently its time,
and enter truly the observations in their exact place, in reference to
time, is, so far as I know, new. The plan is certainly original
with me, whether it be mew or not. Atmospheric disturbance of the
electrical current may, for a while, interfere with the action of my
clock, but when that ceases, the clock will always strike in correctly
and will recommence to register its minutes and seconds at their pro-
per moment, according to the motions of the parent instrument. Not
so with Bain’s, which moves other clocks, for if the electricity be in-
terrupted, the secondary clocks fall behind, and remain so.

Seconds, and minute zero:

Five minute signal :

Mitiute zero.

0 Five minute signal.
Three Seconds.
Hour signal:

Minute zero.
Hour signal.

——.

—— es
Four seconds. Hour commences.

— Obs. ———— ————. Obs.

Observations :

I have communicated my invention, step by step, to Mr. Bache,
who has written me a letter approbating the affair, though he says
he does not know whether I am anticipated by any one. ‘The use of
this machine in determining longitude is obvious; for the interval on
the fillet, between the breaks for a star transit at one meridian and

* Tt is easy to make a pendulum clock move another at a distance, by elec-
tro-magnetism, so long as the current passes well, but any atmospheric dis-
turbance will put it out of time.

the same transit at another meridian, is the arc of difference of longi-
tude registered in time.
Very sincerely, your friend,

JOHN LOCKE.

Pending nominations, Nos. 224 and 225, were read.

Stated Meeting, January 19.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Directors of the Holland Society of Sciences, at
Haarlem, dated Haarlem, 2d August, 1848, transmitting a do-
nation to the Society :—

From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, dated Albany, 11th January, 1849, acknowledging the
receipt of Vol. V. No. 41, of the Proceedings of this Society:
and,—

From the Baroness Berzelius, dated Stockholm, 15th Sep-
tember, 1848, announcing the death of her husband on the 7th
August, 1848, at the age of 69.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Natuurkundige Verhandelingen van de Hollandsche Maatschappij der
Wetenschappen te Haarlem. Tweede Verzameling: 5te Deel,
le Stuk. Haarlem, 1848. 4to.—From the Holland Society of
Sciences at Haarlem.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sors Silliman and Dana. Second Series. No. 19. January, 1849.
New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The American Journal of Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac Hays,
M.D. No. XXXIII. New Series. January, 1849. Philadelphia.
8vo.— From Dr. Hays.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 1.
January, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colo-
nization Society.

Professor Dunglison’s Introductory Lecture, delivered in Jefferson
Medical College of Philadelphia, October 19,1848. 8vo.—From
Dr. Dunglison.

Report on the Finances of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for
the Year ending November 30, 1848. Made to the Governor by
the Auditor General. Harrisburg. 8vo.—From Thomas C. Steel,
Esq., H. R.

Report of W. Milnor Roberts, Esq., Civil Engineer, on the Survey
of a Route to avoid the Schuylkill Inclined Plane on the Philadel-
phia and Columbia Rail-road. Authorized by the act of April
11,1848. Harrisburg, 1848. 8vo.—From B. Matthias, Esq.,
Senate.

Chemical and Pharmaceutic Manipulations: A Manual of the Me-
chanical and Chemico-mechanical Operations of the Laboratory :
Containing a complete description of the most improved appara-
tus, with instructions as to their application and management,
both in manufacturing processes, and in the more exact details of
analysis and accurate research. For the use of Chemists, Drug-
gists, Teachers, and Students. By Campbell Morfit. Philadel-
phia, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

On motion of Judge Kane, the Secretary was directed to ad-
dress a Jetter of condolence to the Baroness Berzelius, on the
death of her distinguished husband.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Society,
on the subject of the communication from the Superintendent
of the U. S. Coast Survey, reported as follows:—

The Committee, to which was referred a letter from Prof. Bache,
Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey, asking the consideration,
by the Society, of the scientific character and results, of the practical
results, and of the progress of the survey, and inviting any sugges-
tions tending to improvement in the different departments of the work,
respectfully submit the following report.

In coming to their conclusions, they have necessarily assumed the
correctness of the statements as to the progress and results of the
survey made by the Superintendent in his Annual Reports to Con-
gress. The Committee are not aware that any doubt has ever been
expressed as to their correctness; and had they been questioned, it
would have been impossible for the Committee to verify them. The
question for their examination appeared to them, therefore, to be, not

whether these results have been attained, but whether, in a practical
point of view, they justify the yearly expenditure authorized by Con-
gress, and whether their scientific character is such as the means at
the disposal of the Superintendent justify us in expecting, and such
as is likely to meet the approbation of scientific men in our own and
in other countries.

It cannot be a matter of surprise that the American Philosophical
Society should undertake these inquiries, since, originally consulted
by the government as to the propriety of instituting such a survey,
and the manner in which it should be conducted, they have ever
since, on all proper occasions, testified their interest in its efficient
prosecution.

The object of such surveys as that which is now in progress along
our sea-coast, is to determine with accuracy the position of every
conspicuous fixed point within the limits of the survey. By which .
determination, and by the aid of the conventional marks for different
objects, used in topographical drawing, an accurate representation
may be made of the country surveyed, so that the relative position of
any objects, their distance apart, the character of the country be-
tween them, and their elevation above the level of the sea, as well
as the position and figure of shoals, the depth of water upon them,
and the nature of the bottom, the direction and force of the currents,
whether oceanic or tidal, the time of high and low tide, with its rise
and fall in our principal ports, may be easily and precisely known.

There is scarcely a branch of physical science (chemistry alone
excepted) to which such a survey is not in the highest degree useful;
but its practical results are those of the most prominent importance.
It permits the sailor, who comes for the first time upon our coast, to
recognise with accuracy his position, and direct with precision his
vessel to its port. It warns him of the dangerous shoals which lie
in his path, and indicates to him the existence and strength of cur-
rents which may retard or assist his progress. And if he be sur-
prised by a tempest, which jeopards his safety, it guides him to a har-
bour of refuge, where he may await more favourable weather. It
enables the government to select with certainty the best situations,
both for works intended for the defence of the coast against hestile
invasions, and for light-houses and buoys which are to serve as guides
to our commerce; and, when extended inland, it indicates the best
routes for internal communication, the obstacles to be overcome in its
establishment, and the resources which the country presents for its
maintenance. It may be truly said, that a government owes such

surveys as this to its citizens; and since they inure in the highest
degree to the benefit of all; and since the means of accomplishing
them are possessed by the government only, it is one of its most im-
portant duties to have such surveys executed in the most complete
manner possible.

In our system of finance, the greater part of the revenue of the
government is derived from the duties paid by our commerce; and
the demand that a small portion of the immense wealth, which is thus
annually poured into the treasury, should, for a few years, be ex-
pended in protecting the lives and property of those contributing, is
so plainly just as to need no argument in its support. The actual
receipts from customs, in the Treasury, for the fiscal year, ending on
June 30, 1848, was $31,757,070.95, and the estimated receipts for
the next year, 32,000,000. The appropriation asked by the Super-
intendent for the Coast Survey, for the same year, is $186,000; +1,
of the receipts, or 58 cents in the one hundred dollars. Nor is the
policy, in a financial point of view, less evident. ‘The Committee has
found it impossible to get any definite information as to the average
amount of dutiable goods yearly wrecked upon our coast; but the
actual duties paid, in 1848, by five packet ships, in the port of Phila-
delphia, was $243,942.15, or an average of $48,788 each. A loss
of duties, equivalent to those paid by four such ships, upon our coast,
would amount to more than the estimates for the expenses of the sur-
vey for 1849. ‘The value of one such ship and cargo would probably
have defrayed all the expenses of the work for the two years, 1847
and 1848. ‘The loss of time by ships compelled, for want of accu-
rate charts, to await, far from the shore, the arrival of pilots, in place
of running close into land, where they may be at all times found,
and the higher rates of insurance against dangers, of which just
enough is known to render them formidable, but not enough to permit
them to be avoided, must also be added in the calculations of the
pecuniary advantages of such a survey; while the continually recur-
ring loss of life by shipwreck, and the immense amount of human
suffering caused by the detention of crowded passenger-ships off our
coast, especially in the winter season, form an item of which no esti-
mate can be made in such a calculation.

If, then, our coast be peculiarly liable to such dangers as these, if
it be dangerous in its character, and comparatively unknown, the
duty of the government to make and publish such charts as shall give
every possible facility and safety to our commerce cannot be denied.
That this is the character of our coast is almost too well known to

need assertion ; but if proof be required, we have but to turn to the
reports of the survey of the last few years to satisfy the most incre-
dulous. Within that time, channels of vast importance to commerce,
-and before altogether unknown or unused, have been discovered in
the harbour of New York and in the Delaware bay ; and six unknown
and dangerous shoals have been discovered within the last year, lying
in the direct track of the commerce between New York and Europe,
as well as of the coasting trade between the former place and New
England. Of the Delaware bay, until the recent publication of the
maps of the Coast Survey, there was no chart upon which reliance
could be placed. Some of the most dangerous shoals were placed
from three to seven miles in error; the light-house at Bombay Hook,
a neighbourhood at one time noted for the number of vessels ground-
ing there, was five miles out of place, and the mouth of the bay, be-
tween Capes May and Henlopen, was represented from 15 to 18 miles,
when the survey shows it to be but eleven and a half. Yet, over this
unknown and dangerous ground passed yearly, according to a report
made to the government, about the year 1837, by Major Bache, of the
Topographical Engineers, an insurable interest created by the coal
trade alone, amounting to $22,000,000 per annum, estimating merely
the vessels in ballast coming after it, and the value of the vessel and
cargo carrying it to the various ports at which it is wanted. Many
of these vessels, however, instead of ballast, bring to Philadelphia
cargoes of plaster, fish, lumber, salt, &c., the value of which is, of
course, not included in the above estimates; and it is well known that
few of these vessels employ a pilot. ‘To such an extent has this coal
trade now increased, that while, in 1836, there cleared from Philadel-
phia 3225 vessels, carrying 344,812 tons, the number of clearances
in 1846 was $953, carrying 1,065,228 tons. Along the southern
part of our country, the coast is, of course, still less accurately
known, since it does not lie in the track of the extensive trade pass-
ing over the points which we have alluded to above. These few
facts will be sufficient to show the pressing necessity which exists,
that a coast so little known, and of so dangerous a character, from
its exposure, and the number of its shoals, should be, as soon as pos-
sible, accurately and thoroughly explored.

In order to accomplish a work of such extent with the requisite
precision, it is necessary to make available to its purposes all the
refinements which mathematical and physical science have added to
the art of measurement. The original base lines, which form the
starting points of the survey, require to be measured by apparatus of

VOL. V.—-I

the most delicate nature, since any error, committed in this early part
of the work, will necessarily be multiplied throughout the series of
triangulations which rest upon it. ‘The bases of verification re-
quire to be measured with the same degree of accuracy, as otherwise
they could not serve as a check upon the calculated results. Nor is
less precision necessary in the measurement of the angles of the pri-
mary and secondary triangulations, which serve as checks upon each
other, since the position of any point in the former is determined by
each of these series. And, again, at every important point the astro-
nomical observations for latitude and longitude again control the
results of the geodetic operations. In this way, although absolute
accuracy can never be expected from human work, and especially
from that which requires so many observations and calculations for
its elaboration; yet the possible error is reduced to so small a quan-
tity, that it may be, for all purposes of commerce and internal im-
provement, neglected. But to obtain these results the whole resources
of science are requisite; and it is necessary that he to whom such a
survey is entrusted, should have a thorough familiarity with what
has heretofore been done in this regard by other nations, and should
possess, besides, that degree of talent and profound science which
will enable him to judge of the results of the eminent men who have
preceded him, to select what is worthy of imitation in their processes,
and improve upon that which is defective.

When, however, a survey of this kind is conducted with the requi-
site degree of precision, its results become incalculably useful, not
only in a pecuniary point of view, to the government and citizens,
but to the advancement of science, and, through it, of civilization and
the general welfare of mankind; and there are, in many branches of
science, problems not yet definitely solved, to the correct elucidation
of which the observations of the Coast Survey will become available.
Hence the cause of science, not less than that of self-interest and
humanity, is involved in the proper conduct of such a survey; and,
by its promotion, while we improve our commerce and relieve our
seamen from a portion of the dangers to which they are exposed, we
shall raise our national character, and justify our position among the
great nations of the earth.

If, now, we attempt to compare our Coast Survey with similar
works executed abroad, we shall find just cause of pride in the man-
ner in which it has been conducted.

The regulation introduced by the present Superintendent, by which
the field-work, at first computed by the party making it, is after-

wards subjected to a second calculation by others not connected with
them, is such as to prevent the introduction of accidental errors, and
to remove altogether the possibility of tampering with the observa-
tions. It therefore allows implicit confidence to be placed in the
work.

The measurement of the more recently selected bases has been
made by a new apparatus, contrived by the Superintendent for the
purpose, (the description of which will be found in his Report for
1847, and in the Proceedings of this Society, Vol. IV. p. 368,) in
which the arrangements for the support of the bars, compensation
for temperature, accuracy of contact and delicacy of alignment, are
such as, in the opinion of the Committee, leave nothing to be
desired ; while the apparatus is so simple, and so easily manipulated,
as to allow of a rapidity of work which, it is believed, has never be-
fore been obtained. The measurements, by this instrument, are, of
course, verified by the most severe and improved methods, and the
agreement of the various measurements, some of which were made
under circumstances peculiarly unfavourable, shows a degree of ac-
curacy which has certainly never been surpassed. The application
of the electric telegraph to the determination of differences of longi-
tude, and the invention of a clock by which the time is accurately
registered without the intervention of any assistant, at stations at any
distance apart allows the correct difference of time between two
places to be determined within a very small fraction of a second, and
will give the means of getting the differences of longitude between
our principal cities with a degree of accuracy which has only been
obtained at the principal observatories of Europe, after many years
of continued observation and comparisons.

Improvements upon the astronomical apparatus used, and careful
experimental observations upon the relative efficiency of different
forms of instruments, and different modes of observing, have led to
great accuracy in the observations for the determination of latitudes,
so that the places of the smaller stars, as given in the catalogues,
are not now sufficiently precise for the work, and the positions of the
stars used have to be determined by direct observations.

The arrangements for having the maps, after reduction, engraved
in the office of the survey, under the immediate inspection of an assist-
tant, and then, after two separate verifications, submitted to the Super-
intendent, before publication, are calculated to maintain the accuracy
of the field-work upon the map issued, as far as that is possible.

The charts issued from the office bear the marks of the great

GO
care which has been bestowed upon them; and, as specimens of
topographic art, are not exceeded by any which the Committee have
seen.

The same attention to insure accuracy is equally visible through
the whole plan of organization and the details of the work ; and the
Committee can but repeat that, in their opinion, our Coast Survey
will, in this respect, bear comparison with the best geodetic measure-
ments of Europe. As to the efficiency and rapidity of progress of
the work, it is not possible to make a minute comparison, since, in no
other work of the kind, is there any annual report from which its
progress may be judged of, nor, indeed, was there in the Coast Sur-
vey, until this feature was introduced by the present Superintendent.
Nor can any statement of the number of square miles, accomplished
in any year, give a fair standard of comparison between two surveys
in different countries. The nature of the ground, the climate, and
many other causes, operate so strongly to retard or to facilitate a
work of this kind, that any parallel founded on them cannot but be
fallacious. The Ordnance Survey of Great Britain was commenced
in 1791, has been continued from that time, and is, we believe, not
yet finisked. Our own Coast Survey was actually commenced by
the late Mr. Hassler, in 1817, discontinued from that time until 1832,
when it was recommenced, and has been prosecuted continuously to
the present time. ‘The triangulation now extends, in a connected
series, from Maine to Virginia, and has been commenced in North
and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
Since the work has been in charge of the present Superintendent,
(that is, since 1844,) an area of 17,555 square miles has been trian-
gulated; the topographical surveys, with the plane-table, have cover-
ed 2138 square miles, and embraced an extent of shore-line, roads,
&c., of 7179 miles. The hydrography has covered an area of
20,086 square miles, of which 16,824 were principally off-shore, or
deep-sea work. Twenty-two sheets of maps and charts have been
published. 5

The plan adopted by the present Superintendent, by which the
survey has been simultaneously started at different points of the coast,
presents striking advantages in more than one point of view. It ex-
tends the benefits of the survey more speedily to all parts of the
country, reduces the time necessary for the completion of the work,
and, as the Superintendent has shown in his reports, diminishes the
total expenditure necessary for it. The minute division of labour,
and the specific instructions from the Superintendent to the various

parties, as to their duties, are well calculated to promote activity and
increase the efficiency of the work, an end which will also be greatly
assisted by the honourable and friendly rivalry which evidently ex-
ists between the civilians and the officers of the army and navy en-
gaged on the work.

In fact, so much and such excellent work could not have been ac-
complished within so short a period, except by extraordinary energy
on the part-of the Superintendent, seconded by the cordial and zealous
co-operation of all those under his charge; and the Annual Reports
of the Survey indicate an amount of scientific talent and knowledge,
as well as of energy and enterprise among the numerous assistants,
which is highly honcurable to our country.

The expense of conducting such a survey as this, must necessarily
be great, though by no means so in reference to the advantages obs
tained from it. From the year 1844 to 1848, (the period during
which it has been in the charge of the present Superintendent,) the
appropriations to the Survey have amounted, in the aggregate, to
$622,000; and, if we add to this the estimate for 1849, we shall have
a gross amount of $808,000, as the cost of the Survey for six years.
It is true, that the expenditure has been every year increasing, but it
is equally so, that such increase has expedited the operations of the
Survey in a still higher ratio, and has thus actually diminished its
final cost. ‘Thus, while in 1844, the cost of fifteen parties, (with
less field-work in all the departments,) was $100,000, in 1848, thirty
effective parties had been kept in action for $130,000; that is, an ad-
ditional expense of 30 per cent., has doubled the efficiency of the
Survey. In fact, so economical has been its management, that not-
withstanding the far more elaborate work, and the much greater pre-
cision, the expense of the Survey is shown scarcely to exceed that of
the Surveys of the public lands executed for the government. For
the reasons before stated, and for others which will easily suggest
themselves, it can scarcely be deemed fair to attempt a comparison of
the cost of the Coast Survey with that of the ‘Topographical Map of
Great Britain; yet such a comparison may, perhaps, serve to defend
our work from a charge of extravagance. The cost of the Ordnance
Survey of Great Britain, from 1812 to 1848, is stated, by a writer in
the London, Edinburg and Dublin Philosophical Magazine for April,
1848, at £1,5U0,000, or about $7,500,000. A survey of the city
of Dublin, for municipal purposes, was stated in Parliament to have
cost £200,000, or $1,000,000; and it was, at the same time, stated
that the surveys of the City of London, under the parochial assess-

ments’ act, had already cost £300,000, or $1,500,000; yet a new
- survey of this latter city is now in progress. With these data before
us, and an attentive study of the estimates of the Superintendent, it
is scarcely possible to doubt that the Coast Survey has been carried
on with all possible economy, consistent with its efficient prosecution.

If it be asked, what results of a scientific or practical character
have accrued, or are likely to accrue, from this vast work, a hasty
glance at its progress will furnish an adequate answer.

Accurate charts have already been published of the Bay of New
York, and of the Delaware Bay, and approaches of the City of Phi-
ladelphia, and of six other harbours; and, of the former, one map
upon a large scale, occupying six sheets, and another in one sheet,
have been issued. Of some of these harbours, no maps of a trust-
worthy character were before in existence, and in all of them impor-
tant corrections have been made, new channels indicated, unknown
shoals pointed out, and the increase or decrease of the old ones mark-
ed: the soundings and nature of the bottom carefully noted, and
every information given which can be of service to vessels desirous
of entering.

The plan adopted by the present Superintendent, of publishing the
results of the Survey as fast as the maps can be prepared, cannot be
too highly approved. ‘There can be no reason why, after the work,
on a certain part of the coast, has been finished and verified, those
who are to benefit by its results should be kept waiting until the
whole of so vast a work as this can be completed: why the main
trade of our principal cities with Europe should continue subject to
the annual risk arising from insufficient maps, until the whole of the
shores of the Gulf of Mexico have been surveyed.

The value of the publication of these maps has been materially
enhanced, too, by the liberal policy of the government, in allowing
them to be sold at such a low price as to put them within the reach
of all who may require them. By this judicious course, their intro-
duction in place of the insufficient and often treacherous guides which
they are to replace will be much more rapid, and they themselves,
being more widely disseminated, will be far more useful.

Another practical benefit, of incalculable importance, which we
already owe to the efficient prosecution of the Coast Survey, is the
discovery of dangerous and sunken rocks and shoals, before un-
known, yet lying directly in the path of our principal trade. In ad-
dition to the discovery of a new channel into New York Bay, having
two feet more water than the old channels; of two new and impor-

tant channels into Delaware Bay, one of which is open when the
old channels are choked with ice, and is thus invaluable, in the
winter season, to our coasting trade; and of another on the coast of
the State of Mississippi, the Coast Survey has already detected and
published nine dangerous shoals in the vicinity of Nantucket, and
numerous rocks in Long Island Sound and its vicinity. If these
were the only practical benefits to be derived from it, they would
more than repay all its expenditure. Obstructions of a similar cha-
racter have been discovered in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays,
and doubtless many more will reward its labours upon the coast fur-
ther southward.

The information derived from the Coast Survey has also been
made useful in the determination of the proper sites for light-houses
along our coast, and in assisting the local surveys which the authori-
ties of the various seaboard towns desire to have made. And when,
in the progress of civilization, the citizens of our different States
shall feel the importance of following the excellent example set them
by Massachusetts, and substituting true topographical maps of their
territories for the fancy sketches which now bear that name, the re-
sults of the Coast Survey will be found of great utility to them in
establishing their bases and verifying their work.

But, after all, the great practical utility of the work will be found
in the publication of cheap and trustworthy maps, which, while they
furnish valuable information to all, will be instrumental in diminish-
ing that fearful loss of lives and property which annually takes place
along our extensive and exposed coast.

When we turn to inquire what benefits to science have arisen, or
are likely to arise, from thé Coast Survey, under its present organi-
zation, their number and importance almost preclude an elaborate
reply.

The first and most prominent point of scientific interest upon which
its results will be brought to bear, will, of course, be the determination
of the length of a degree of latitude, between different parallels, and
from this, of the figure of the earth. A problem considered of such
importance that surveys, more costly than that of our coast is likely
to be, have more than once been undertaken by European nations,
for the sole purpose of obtaining its solution. And France, with that
honourable zeal which has placed her first in all matters of physical
science, has sent parties of her ablest men to the most remote regions
of the earth, to execute these measurements. As our Survey, when
completed, will extend over about 20° of latitude, the opportunity of

controlling the results of former explorations will be most excellent,
and most advantageous to science.

The vast number of astronomical observations of different kinds
for the determination of latitudes and longitudes, extending from
Galveston to the northernmost point of the coast of Maine, the expe-
rimental observations for the determination of the relative value of
different instruments, and different methods of observing for the nice
determination of celestial phenomena, and the elaborate discussions
of the formule for reduction and correction of errors, by the able
astronomers whom the Superintendent has engaged in these labours,
must be of inappreciable importance to practical astronomy, for which
we, as a nation, are already obtaining a high character.

The application of the electric telegraph to the determination of
longitudes, and the invention of the self-registering clock, are im-
provements, the vast importance of which cannot be overlooked.

The development of the laws which govern the distribution of sedi-
ment at the bottom of the sea and along the coast, the microscopic
examination of the various infusoria which live in them, and the esta-
blishment of safe data, from which any future elevation or depression
of the land, however gradual in its progress, may be detected, will
be found as important to the geologist as the results which we have
just alluded to are to the astronomer; while the extensive and delicate
magnetical observations, the study of the tidal and oceanic currents;
and especially of that grand phenomenon, the Gulf Stream, cannot
fail to furnish a vast body of the most carefully determined facts, ca-
pable of giving to the physical science of our country an impetus
which it has never yet received: while the training of our officers of
the army and navy to scientific observations, and, what is far more
important, the education of a body of young men in the strictest
school of modern experimental science, may be ranked among the
most important advantages either in a practical or scientific point of
view.

It is not to be expected that, confined to the examination of the re-
sults of the work as published, and without access to the official re-
cords, the Committee could make any suggestions likely to lead to
any practical improvement in the conduct of the work. It is evident,
from the results, that the superintendence of Prof. Bache is very ac-
tive in this respect, and the members of the Society have been long
enough associated with him to know that nothing in the way of im-
provement is likely to escape his notice or to meet his neglect. Your
Committee, however, would respectfully call his attention to the fact.

that, if consistent with his duties and means, the early publication of
the original observations, astronomical, magnetic, hydrographical
and others, would be of vast service to the practical science of the
country, and is anxiously hoped for by its cultivators.

In performance of their duty, the Committee have been compelled
to confine themselves to an indication merely, of the most important
conclusions to which their examinations have led them. To enlarge
upon the points suggested can scarcely be necessary in a report to a
scientific society, and would have occupied more time than their other
pursuits would allow, or the Society would have at its disposal.
But enough, they think, has been said to warrant them in relying
upon the approbation of the Society in their conclusions:

1. That the Survey of the Coast is a work which, from its impor-
tance to our citizens, recommends itself in the strongest manner to
the protection of the government.

2. That the benefits, both of a scientific and practical character,
which have already been derived, and are constantly resulting from
it, are such as to repay abundantly the labour and expense which
have been, and may hereafter be devoted to it.

3. That it has heretofore been conducted accurately, efficiently,
and economically, and that there is every reason to believe that it
will best thrive by being left with its present organization.

4. And that, as well from the magnitude of the undertaking, as
from the skill and energy with which it has been conducted, it will
prove honourable to those who first conceived it, and to those who
have been engaged in its prosecution.

The Committee, therefore, recommend to the Society the adoption
of the following Resolution:

Resolved, That the American Philosophical Society recommend
to the Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, the publica-
tion, as speedily as shall be consistent with the interests of the Sur-
vey, of the observations upon which the published results are found-
ed, and of all others made during its progress; as well as of the
formule: for computation and reduction, and the discussions of the
elimination of errors from the observed results.

And the Committee respectfully ask to be discharged.

R. M. PATTERSON,
JOHN F. FRAZER,
EK. OTIS KENDALL,
J. K. KANE.

VOL. V.—K

The resolution was adopted by the Society, and the Com-
mittee was discharged.

Mr. Trego announced the death of Robert Gilmor, of Balti-
more (a member of this Society), on the 30th November, 1848,
in the 75th year of-his age.

On motion of Mr. Fraley, Charles B. Trego, Esq., was re-
appointed Librarian for the year.

The following named gentlemen were appointed on the
Standing Committees of the Society:—

Committee of Finance.—Dr. R. M. Patterson, Chairman,
Isaac Lea, Tobias Wagner.

Committee on the Hall.—Hon. J. K. Kane, Chairman,
Frederick Fraley. Franklin Peale.

Committee on the Library.—Dr. Isaac Hays, Chairman,
George Campbell, George Ord.

Committee of Publication.—Isaac Lea, Chairman, Dr.
Isaac Hays, J. Francis Fisher.

The catalogue of surviving members of the Society was read,
from which it appeared that the number on the list on the Ist
January, 1849, was 363; of whom are resident in the United
States, 252; and in foreign countries, 111.

The Society then proceeded to ballot for members.

New nominations, Nos. 226, 227, and 228, were read.

On motion of Judge Kane, a Committee, consisting of Judge
Kane, Dr. Hays, and Mr. Richards, were appointed to take
measures for procuring a portrait of the late President, Dr.
Chapman, to be piaced in the Hall of the Society.

The Reporter laid on the table Vol. V. No. 41, 08 the Pro-
ceedings of the Society.

All the other business of the Society having been disposed
of, the ballot boxes were opened, and the state of the polls de-
clared by the presiding officer.

The following named gentlemen were found to have been
duly elected members of this Society :—

Prof. E. N. Horsrorp, of Harvard University.

Hon. Grorcs P. Marsu, of Vermont.

Stated Meeting, February 2.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Hon. George P. Marsh, dated House of Represen-
tatives, Washington, 22d January, 1849, acknowledging the
receipt of notice of his election as a member of this Society:
and,—

From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset
House, 2d November, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol.
V. No. 40, of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Ingénieurs des
Mines: ou Recueil des Observations Météorologiques et Mag-
nétiques, faites dans l’etendue de l’Empire de Russie. Par A. T.
Kupffer, Directeur des Observatoires Magnétiques des Mines, &c.
Année 1845. Part 1 and 2. 2 Vols. 4to. St. Petersburg, 1848.
From the Author, Prof. Kupfer.

Résumés des Observations Météorologiques faites dans l’étendue de
l'Empire de Russie, et deposées aux Archives Météorologiques de
l’Académie des Sciences: publies sous les auspices et aux frais
de l’Académie des Sciences. Par A. ‘I. Kupffer, Membre de
PAcadémie. ler Cahier. St. Petersburg, 1846. 4to.—From
the same.

Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, in the Year 1846; under the direction of
George Biddell Airy, Esq., M. A., Astronomer Royal. Published
by order of the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to Her Majes-
ty’s Command. London, 1848. 4to.—From the Royal Society
of London.

Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Green-
wich, in the Year 1846; under the direction of George Biddell
Airy, Esq., M. A., Astronomer Royal., Published by order of
the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to Her Majesty’s Command.
London, 1848. 4to.—From the same.

The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge, for the Year of our Lord, 1849. London. 8vo.
From Petty Vaughan, Esq.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 16. November 1,
1848. London. 8vo.—From the Geological Society of London.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIII.
No. 9. Supplement. London. 8vo.-—From the Royal Astro-
nomical Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. Second Series. Vel. II. Nos. 11 and 12.
November and December, 1848. London. 8vo.—From Sir
William Jardine, Bart.

A Stratigraphical Account of the Section from Atherfield to Rocken-
end, on the South-west Coast of the Isle of Wight. By William
Henry Fitton, M.D., F.R.S., &c. London, 1847. 8vo.—From
the Author.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vol. 1. Ancient Monu-
ments of the Mississippi Valley ; comprising the results of origi-
nal extensive Surveys and Explorations. By E. G. Squier, A.M.
and E. H. Davis, M.D. Washington, 1848. 4to.—From the
Smithsonian Institution.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVII. No. 1.
January, 1849. Philadelphia. 8yvo.—From the Institute.

Map of the Battle Ground of Cerro Gordo, from Surveys made by
Major Turnbull and Capt. M‘Clellan, of the Topograpsical En-
gineers.—From Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.
Published under the direction of the “Philadelphia Society for
Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons,” instituted in 1787.
Vol. 1V. No.1. January, 1849. Philadelphia. . 8vo.— From
the Prison Society.

Letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, communicating a Report by
the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, on an application of the
Galvanic Circuit to an Astronomical Clock and Telegraph Regis-
ter, in determining local differences of Longitude, and in astro-
nomical observations generally. Washington, January, 1849.
8vo.—From Sears C. Walker, Esq.

Fifteenth Annual Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools
of Pennsylvania, for the School Year ending June 1, 1848. By
Townsend Haines, Superintendent. Harrisburg, 1849. 8yvo.—
From Thomas C. Steel, Esq., H. R.

Mr. Justice stated, that upon recently examining the object
glass of the telescope at the Friends’ School in Cherry street,
he found it much impaired by an apparent oxidation of the
surface, which was, however, easily removed by wiping it
with sheep-skin; and he believed, that by early attention in
this way, many valuable glasses might be kept in order by a
timely removal of the arborescent substance on the surface.

Further observations on the subject of the changes of the
surface of glass were made by Mr. M‘Culloh, Dr. F. Bache,
Dr. Elwyn, and Judge Kane.

Mr. Richards gave an account of a singular dusus nature,
in the form of a calf having two heads, four distinct eyes, two
mouths, each capable of receiving sustenance, and with but two
ears. This monster was produced by a cow in New Jersey,
about 35 miles from this city.

Mr. M‘Culloh mentioned a series of experiments which he
has been conducting under the superintendence of Prof. A. D.
Bache for the U. S. Government, in reference to a proper col-
lection of the revenue on distilled spirits, of which the results
will shortly be presented to the Secretary of the Treasury.

A letter from Lieut. J. M. Gilliss was read, enclosing a let-
ter from Dr. G. A. Jahn, of Leipsic, acknowledging the receipt
of notice of his election as a member of this Society; and a
communication in Latin from Dr. Jahn, which, on motion of
Judge Kane, was referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof.
S. Alexander, Mr. James, and Prof. Kendall.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227, and 228, were read.

Judge Kane referred to the report and resolution presented
at the Jast meeting, in relation to the letter of the Superin-
tendent of the Coast Survey, and called the attention of the
Society to the resolution, stating that the views of the Society,
as therein expressed, seemed not to have been correctly appre-
hended at Washington, and suggesting that a further expres-
sion on the part of this Society might be expedient and pro-
per: he therefore offered the following resolution, which was
agreed to:—

Resolved, That the Society do approve and adopt the deduction set
forth in the report made at the last meeting, by the Committee to

which was referred a letter from the Superintendent of the U. S.
Coast Survey, to wit:

1. That the survey of the coast is a work, which, from its import-
ance to our citizens, recommends itself in the strongest manner to the
protection of the government.

3. That it has heretofore been conducted accurately, efficiently,
and economically, and that there is every reason to believe that it
will best thrive by being left with its present organization.

4, And that, as well from the magnitude of the undertaking, as
from the skill and energy with which it has been conducted, it will
prove honourable to those who first conceived it, and to those who
have been engaged in its prosecution.

Stated Meeting, February 16.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From Prof. E. N. Horsford, dated Cambridge, Feb. 2, 1849,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber of this Society: and—

From the Franklin Institute, dated Philadelphia, 18th Jan-
uary, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of Vol V. No. 41, of
the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monograph of the Fossil Squalide of the United States. By Robert
W. Gibbs, M.D. of Columbia, 8. C. No. 2. Reprinted from the
Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
January, 1849. 4Ato.—From the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 74. February,
1849. 8yo.—From Lea g- Blanchard.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVII. Ne. 2.
February, 1849. 8vo.— From the Institute.

Twenty-eighth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1847-8. Leeds,
1848. 8vo.—From the Society.

Reports of the Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic Society
of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1847. Leeds, 1848. 8vo.—
From the Society.

Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. III]. 1849.
Svo.—From the Society.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 2.
February, 1849.—F rom the American Colonization Society.
Experimental Researches on the Post Mortem Contractility of the
Muscles, with observations on the Reflex Theory. By Bennet
Dowler, M.D. New York, 1846. S8vo.—From the Author,

through S. G. Morton, M.D.

Criticisms and Controversies relating to the Nervous and Muscular
Systems. By Bennet Dowler, M.D. of New Orleans. New
Orleans, 1847. 8vo.—From the same.

Researches on Meteorology. By Bennet Dowler, M.D. New Or-
leans, 1848. 8vyo.—F rom the same.

Researches, Critical and Experimental, on the Capillary Circulation.
By Bennet Dowler, M.D. of New Orleans. New Orleans, 1849.
8vo.—From the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. iX. No.
1. Nov. 10,1848. 8vo.—From the Society.

Report on the Geolegy of South Carolina. By M. Tuomey. Co-
lumbia, S. C. 1848. 4to.—From the State of South Carolina.

Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia, from September 6th, 1848, to January 2d, 1849, inclu-
sive. 8vo.—From the College of Physicians.

Catalogue of the Library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Part I. History, Biography and Manuscripts. 1849. 8yvo.—
From the Society.

Letter of Professor A. D. Bache, Superintendent of Weights, Mea-
sures and Balances, transmitting a Second Report on Inquiries
and Researches relating to Hydrometers, &c., made under his
superintendence, by Prof. R. S. M‘Culloh, May 29, 1848.—From
Prof. R. S. M‘Culloh.

Reply to the Review by Mr. Avequin, of New Orleans, of M‘Culloh’s
Report on Sugar. Published in De Bow’s Commercial Review.
Philadelphia, 1848.— From the same.

The Committee, to which was referred, at the last meeting,
a communication from Dr. Jahn, of Leipsic, entitled “ De Cal-
culo Eclipsium Besseliano Commentatio,’? made report there-
on, recommending its publication in the Transactions of the
Society: which publication was accordingly ordered.

Dr. Hays announced the decease of Dr. James Cowles Pri-
chard, of Bristol, England, a member of this Society, who died
22d December, 1848, in the 62d year of his age.

The minutes of the last meeting of the Board of Officers and
Council were reported.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227 and 228, were read.

Dr. Elwyn mentioned a small instrument recently construct-
ed by Peter A. Browne, Esgq., called a Trichometer, for the
purpose of testing the strength of hair, wool, and other fibrous
materials; which promises to be practically useful in investiga-
tions relating to subjects of this nature.

Stated Meeting, March 2.
Present, five members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was received and read:—

From George W. Greene, dated Providence, February 26,
1849, requesting permission to have copies taken of the “Ge-
neral Greene Correspondence,” in the Library of the Society:

Whereupon, upon motion of Dr. Elwyn, it was agreed that
Mr. Greene have permission to procure copies of said corres-
pondence, provided the same be made under the superinten-
dence and direction of the librarian.

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Western America, including California and Oregon; with Maps of
those Regions, and of the Sacramento Valley, from actual sur-
veys. By Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.
From the Author.

Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year
1848. By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D. Physician to the Institu-
tion. Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

Speech of Mr. J. A. Pearce, of Maryland, on the subject of the Coast
Survey of the United States. Delivered in the Senate of the
United States, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 1849. Washington, 1849.
8vo.— From the Hon. J. A. Pearce.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227 and 228, were read.

Stated Meeting, March 16.
Dr. Parterson, President, in the Chair.

Present, seventeen members.

Prof. Agassiz; a member of this Society, was introduced,
and took his seat.

A letter was received and read:—

From A. D. Bache, Superintendent U. 8. Coast Survey, an-
nouncing the transmission to this Society of certain Maps, ex-
ecuted under the direction of the Survey.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Second Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State
of New York, on the Condition of the State Cabinet of Natural
History; with Catalogues of the same: Made to the Senate, Jan-
uary 12,1849. Albany. 8vo.—From the Regents of the Uni-
versity of the State of New York.

Three Maps of Delaware River and Bay, one of Nantucket Har-
bour, and one of the Harbours of Cawkins and Sheffield Islands.
—From the Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Survey, through
the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.

Report of the Committee of Congress to whom was referred the Me-
morial of William T. G. Morton, asking Compensation from Con-
gress for the Discovery of the Anesthetic or Pain-subduing Pro-
perty of Sulphuric Ether. Made to the House of Representatives,
Feb. 23, 1849.—From the Hon. M. C. D.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sors B. Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr. and James D. Dana. Se-
cond Series, No. 20, March, 1849. New Haven. 8vo.—From
the Editors.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 3.

VOL. V.—L

March, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colo-
nization Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVII. No. 3.
March, 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 75. March,
1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

An Inquiry into the alleged tendency of the Separation of Convicts,
one from the other, to produce Disease and Derangement. By
a Citizen of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—From
the Philadelphia Society JP the Alleviation of the Miseries of
Public Prisons.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Vol. III]. No. 18. January, 1849. London.

- 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart.

Dr. Patterson, in the name of Prof. A. D. Bache, laid before
the Society, an abstract of a report, made by Mr. Sears C. Wal-
ker, of the results of the telegraphic operations of the U. S.
Coast Survey, made by him on the 23d January last, between
Washington and Philadelphia, New York and Cambridge,
Mass. A letter from Prof. Bache to Dr. Patterson, accompa-
nying the report, was read by Prof. Kendall.

Washington, March 1, 1849.

Dear Srr,—Will you please communicate to the American Philo-
sophical Society a brief abstract of a Report made to me on the 21st
ultimo, of the results of the Telegraph operations of the U. S. Coast
Survey, made on the 23d of January last, between Washington, Phi-
ladelphia, New York and Cambridge, Mass., by Mr. Sears C. Walk-
er, assistant, having charge of the Telegraph operations.

The object in view was to test the practical working of the method
of imprinting the dates of star transits on a graduated clock register.
The three astronomical stations, selected for the occasion, were the
Philadelphia Observatory, under the direction of Prof. Kendall; the
New York City station, in the private residence of Dr. L. M. Ruther-
ford, under Prof. E. Loomis; and the Harvard Observatory, Cam-
bridge, under Prof. Wm. Cranch Bond.

In conformity with the plan of his Report of December 15, 1849,
duplicate records were kept at the Washington Northern Telegraph
office, by Mr. Walker and myself. ;

The astronomical clock was located at Philadelphia, and rated for

795

several days by Prof. Kendall. It contained two tilt-hammer elec-
trotomes, one invented by Mr. J. J. Speed, jun., of Ithaca, N. Y., in
1847, attached to the minute wheel, and giving its signals every two
and a half minutes. The other (used for the occasion) was on the
plan invented by Dr. Locke, in 1848, and attached to the escape-
ment-wheel. The automatic clock register was graduated to two
seconds, usually occupying an inch of paper of the Morse’s register-
ing fillet.

Mr. Walker reports, that a comparison of sixty records, made by
the two registers at Washington, shows that the probable error of the
mechanical operation of printing and reading off, is only about fifteen-
thousandths of a second.

This confirms the estimate of accuracy of the work made by him
in his report of Dec. 15th last, viz., of a hundredth of a second for
the case of an automatic register of single seconds, with an inch of
paper to each.

It further appears, from the Report, that when the star-signals
were given at Philadelphia, so that the clock and signal-waves had
the same local origin, all the registers at all the stations, marked
alike, within such limits as were indicated by the probable error just
mentioned.

When, however, the star-signals were given at New York, small,
but appreciable, differences were noticed in the respective readings of
the apparent date, of the same event as recorded at the different sta-
tions. This discrepancy was still greater for the case of the Cam-
bridge star-signals, the graduating clock remaining always at Phila-
delphia.

The following table contains the mean excess of the readings of
the date of each event in the time of the Philadelphia automatic clock
at each station, over that of each of the others, with the number of
single results, and the probable accidental error from the source al-
ready referred to. The stations compared are denoted by their ini-
tials. ‘Those marked W, are for the mean of the two records made
at Washington. A further revision of these quantities may somewhat
change their amounts.

Two kinds of readings were made, viz., break circuit signal read-
ings on a break circuit clock scale, and make circuit signal readings,
on a make circuit clock scale.

The excesses indicated by the mean of the two series of readings for
the two scales, with the number of results and probable error of each,
are reported as follows. The times A, B, C and D, respectively de-

note the time of passage of the galvanic wave between W and P, P
and N, N andC, Cand W.

For reasons connected with the analytical theory of longitudes, by
Telegraph operations, as published in Mr. Walker’s report of Nov.
10, 1847, and in the recent report of the 21st ultimo, the mean of
the two series is the most plausible value that can be derived from the
printed record. The residual quantities do not appear to be explica-
ble by any admissible value of relative times of operations, of the
spiral spring and receiving magnet, armature. Neither do they ap-
pear to be explained by any reasonable hypothesis of relative changes
of apparent dates from changes of permanent magnetism, as it is
called, by change of locality of signal station. The analytical the-
ory of this subject was given by Mr. Walker, Dec. 28, 1847, in his
Report on the Telegraph operations of 1847.

These several sources of error are nearly all eliminated iy the
manner of forming the residuals of these tables, and being in their
nature periodical, disappear in the average of all the results. It may
also be remarked, that the outward and inward armature times of the
magnets of the local registers, are relatively annulled by their having
the same value for the clock and signal electrotomes.

According to Mr. Walker’s report; these residual quantities, from
change of relative place of origin of the clock and signal waves, may
all be explained by the hypothesis that the time of propagation of the
galvanic wave from the place of the clock or star signal stations, to
that of the receiving register, though smail, is not quite insensible.
A solution of the eighteen equations of condition formed on this hy-
pothesis, by Mr. Walker, give, for the velocity of the propagation of
the galvanic wave, through the compound circuit, eighteen thousand
eight hundred miles per second, with a probable accidental error, as
stated by him, of about one thousand miles. ‘The statistics are too
incomplete to warrant any discrimination between the times of pro-
pagation of the wave through the different kinds of media, viz., the
wires, the batteries, (three in number,) and the ground. After apply-
ing the values of the wave-times by this hypothesis, and with this
velocity in the different portions of the whole circuit of one thousand
and fifty miles, no sensible discrepancy remains, the residual terms
being not greater than their probable errors, from the comparison of
the two Washington registers. All the readings now harmonize as
well as if all the clock and star signals, and all the printed records
had been made in the same place.

The result is one of much interest to the progress of science, and
of special importance in the longitude operations of the Coast Survey.

The value apparently attributable to wave time, is too great to be
neglected in telegraph operations for longitudes intended to be used as
data in connexion with geodetical measurements. A more extensive
series of operations, with more complete mechanical arrangements,
will be undertaken in the course of the coming season.

Very truly yours,

A. D. BACHE.
Dr. R. M. Partrerson,
Pres. American Philos. Society.

TABLE OF RELATIVE DIsTANCEs.

Relative miles

Star Signal | Receiving traversed by
No. Station. Station Wave Time. Clock and
Compared. Signal Waves.

1 | Philadelphia | P— W 0 0

2 P—C 0 0

3 P—wN 0 0

4 wWw—C 0 0

5 W—N 0 0

6 N—C 0 0

7 | Cambridge P—W| A+Bi+C—D 150

8 P—C 2B+2C 900

9 P—wN 2B 400
10 w—cCc |—A+B+C+D 750
11 W—N | —A+B—C+D 250
12 N—C 2€ 500
13 | New York P—W 0 0
14 P—C 2B 400
15 P—N 2B 400
16 W-—-C 2B 400
17 W—N 2B 400
18 N—C 0 0

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“SNOILVADT] IVNOILIGNO(

Dr. Elwyn called the attention of the Society to the propo-
sals by Dr. Darlington, of West Chester, to publish, by sub-
scription, Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey Mar-
shall, “the eminent Pennsylvania Horticulturists, Botanists,
and Naturalists,’ with occasional notes and biographical
sketches.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227, and 228, were read.

tabi

Da
: Ai I Ae

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Vou. V. APRIL—SEPTEMBER, 1849. No. 43.

Stated Meeting, April 6.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Parrerrson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
Moscow, 31st August, 1848, announcing a donation to the So-
ciety :—

From the Royal Geographical Society of London, dated
14th November, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X.
Part I, of the Transactions, and of Nos. 36 to 40 of the Pro-
ceedings of the Society: and—

From a Committee of the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences, a circular, dated Boston, 13th March, 1849, in rela-
tion to difficulties in which Mr. Schumacher is placed, con-
nected with the support of the astronomical establishment at
Aitona.

On motion, Dr. R. M. Patterson, Dr. A. D. Bache, and Prof.
E. O. Kendall, were appointed a Committee to which was re-
ferred the communication from the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences, with instructions to report in what manner this
Society can best contribute to the permanent establishment of
Prof. Schumacher’s observatory; and authority was given them
to take such measures, in the name and behalf of this Society,
for advancing that object, as in their judgment may be expe-
dient, before the next stated meeting of this Society.

VoL. V.—M

82
The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY. ~

Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. ‘Tome
XX. Nos. 38 & 4, 1847: et Tome XXI. Nos. 1 & 2, 1848.
Moscow, 1847-8. 8vo.—F rom the Society.

A Bibliographical Catalogue of Books, Translations of the Scriptures,
and other Publications, in the Indian ‘Tongues in the United States,
with brief Critical Notices. Washington, 1849. 8vo.—From
the Hon. William Medill.

Discourse delivered on the First Anniversary of the Girard College
for Orphans, at the request of the Board of Directors. By Job
R. Tyson. Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XVIII.
Part 2. London, 1848. 8vo.— From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 17. Feb. 1849.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany
and Geology. Vol. III. No. 14. Feb. 1849. London. 8vo.
From Sir William Jardine.

Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library of the State of
New York, made to the Legislature, Jan. 15, 1849. Albany.
Svo.—From the Trustees of the New York State Library.

Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents, for the year 1847.
Washington, 1848.—from the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.

Observations on the Genus Unio, together with descriptions of New
Species in the families Naiades, Colimacea, Lymneeana, Melani-
ana, and Peristomiana. Read before the American Philosophical
Society, and originally published in its Transactions. By Isaac
Lea, Member of the Am. Phil. Soc., &c. &c. Philadelphia.
Ato.— From the Author.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVII. No. 4.
April, 1849.—F rom the Institute.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.
Published quarterly, under the direction of the ‘ Philadelphia
Society for alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons;’’ instituted
in 1787. Vol. IV. No.2. April, 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.
From the Philadelphia Prison Society.

The Congressional Globe: New Series: containing Sketches of the
Debates and Proceedings of the First Session of the Thirtieth
Congress. By Blair and Rives. Washington, 1848. Ato.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays,M.D. No. 34. New Series. April, 1849. Philadelphia.
8vo.—From Dr. Hays.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 76. April, 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea and Blanchard.

Mr. Ord read an obituary notice of the late Charles Alex-
ander Lesueur, a member of this Society.

On motion of Dr. Bache, the privilege was granted to Mr.
Ord of having his memoir of Mr. Lesueur printed in any scien-
tific journal.

Prof. Loomis stated that he had rewritten his paper on the
Progress of Astronomy, prepared for the Smithsonian Institu-
tion, an account of which was presented to the Society at a
former meeting, especially the part in relation to the history
of American Observatories, in which he has now adopted a
chronological order. Prof. L. read a sketch of this part of his

paper.
Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227 and 228, were read.

Stated Meeting, April 20.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From A. D. Bache, Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey,
dated Washington, 11th April, 1849, enclosing a communica-
tion from Lieut. Gilliss: and—

From Edward Armstrong, dated Philadelphia, 18th April,
1849, making application on behalf of the Maryland Historical
Society, for a copy of a volume of Indian Vocabularies in pos-
session of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. I[l. No. 15.
March, 1849. London. &8&vo.—From Sir William Jardine.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. III. 1848-9.
Newark, N. J. 1849. 8vo.—From the New Jersey Historical
Society.

Researches upon the Vital Dynamics of Civil Government. By
Bennett Dowler, M.D. of New Orleans. New Orleans. 1849.
8vo.—From the Author.

Report to the President and Directors of the Ohio and Pennsylvania
Rail Road Company. By Solomon W. Roberts, Chief Engineer.
1849.—From the Author.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Jan.
1849. (Discussion of the Observations of the Planet Metis, with
a determination of its orbit, &c.)—From the Academy.

The Committee appointed, at the last meeting, on the sub-
ject of the communication from the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences, in relation to the Observatory at Altona, reported
the following resolutions, which were adopted, and the same
Committee appointed to carry them into effect.

“ Resolved, ‘That the American Philosophical Society would deeply
lament the interruption of the labours of Prof. Schumacher, at Al-
tona, believing, as they do, in common with the lovers of astronomy
throughout the world, that the Altona Observatory, and the Astrono-
mische Nachrichten, have, in his hands, contributed very largely
to the advancement of that science; and that, in their opinion, the
discontinuance of the journal, so ably conducted by Prof. Schu-
macher, which has been, during more than a quarter of a century,
the medium of communication between astronomers and mathema-
ticians of all countries, would prove a source of embarrassment to the
progress of astronomy, which they trust may be averted.

‘‘ Resolved, ‘That a Committee of three be appointed to transmit,
to Prof. Schumacher, a copy of these resolutions.”

Lieut. Gilliss read a communication intended for the Trans-
actions, and entitled “On the subject of the Determination of
the Longitude of the Washington, D. C. Observatory, by com-
parison of Moon culminations with European Observations ;”’
which was referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Kendall,
Mr. Longstreth, and Prof. Frazer.

Mr. Justice exhibited specimens of gold found on the farm
of Samuel Ellicott, Montgomery county, Maryland, about 30
miles from Baltimore.

The locality has been known but for a few months, and appears
to be valuable. Three samples examined at the Mint, yielded as fol-
lows :—

No. 1 yielded at the rate of 744 grains per ewt. of ore, or $610.00 per ton.

No. 2 5 960 a CD). gp
No. 3 . 206 5 168.80 ,,
Average, 636 522

The quartz which forms the matrix of the gold, crops out amidst
a decomposed talcase slate, so that quarrying is very easy. Ores of
copper and iron are also present.

Messrs. Bowman & Ebbett, of New York, state that much gold
appears to be disseminated throughout the gangue, in so minute a
state of division, as to be invisible to the naked eye.

The following extract of a letter from Prof. Emmons, of
Albany, describes the geological character of the locality.

The geological formation consists of the talcose slate, mainly in a
state of entire decomposition, or disintegration, probably, to a great
depth; subordinate to the slate there are regular masses of hornblende
rock, or more properly, sienite, which appears often in large beds,
forming knolls upon the surface.

In addition to the hornblende, is the quartz, or flint rock, in beds or
seams, traversing the slate in lines parallel to that of the slate, all of
which runs N. and S. or N. N. W.; these quartz veins constitute
the matrix of the gold; they vary in width from half an inch to fifty
feet, all of which appears to be auriferous.

Having satisfied myself of the character of the beds, and of the
rock formation generally, I proceeded on the second day to deter-
mine the fact, whether the gold was common to the seams of quartz
which I had found in place; I selected from three of these seams or
beds, two of them narrow, the other from a bed at least 50 feet thick;
in each and all of them I obtained gold, Mr. Derby washing it for
me. ‘The fifty feet bed, of course, was not tested as it should be; but
a specimen of the mass, taken at random, which contained oxide of
iron, and which appeared as favourable as any part.

I did not indeed expect to find it, but there was no doubt of the
fact. It is not so rich apparently as the thinner beds, and the par-
ticles of gold are smaller; but it was found in the first and only piece
of the rock which I tried.

The most important point which I supposed you wished me to di-

rect my attention, and to determine, without question, was the proba-
ble quantity of quartz, or ore, as it is called.

On this point I satisfied myself that there is an abundance, leaving
out of view entirely the heavy beds of quartz which I found cropping
out at the surface on two sides of the farm; seams or veins, from
half an inch to eighteen inches, exist, no doubt, concealed by the soil.
I say this on the ground, that large pieces of quartz have been carted
from the soil.

The condition of these quartz veins is quite remarkable and inte-
resting, and will be found standing up in the midst of a mass of per-
fectly disintegrated slate, a fact which will greatly facilitate mining
operations and diminish the expense of excavation, the whole work
being reduced to the simple operation of shoveling.

This morning I tried a piece of the quartz which I brought home,
and found it rich, although I could not discover, by a microscope,
any particles of gold. It will be understood, however, that I do not
speak of the yield of gold. I did not deem it at all necessary to
analyze the rock for this purpose, but it was proper that I should see
the gold produced from specimens of my own selection.

I should have accompanied this report with a sketch of the geolo-
gical formations of the place, but it does not appear necessary, and
indeed I could not do it accurately without measurement.

I think the richest part of the farm is that towards the wood land,
and that the best way for working is to cut a deep trough or ditch,
running east and west, through the centre of the field, and work each
way the seams of quartz as they are met with; this will intersect the
quartz at right angles, and give g creat facilities in wor king.

There being no quorum for election present, the SHEtea busi-
ness of the meeting was postponed.

On motion of Mr. Trego, permission was granted to the
Maryland Historical Society to have a copy made of the Indian
Vocabularies in the possession of this Society, provided the
same be made under the superintendence and direction of the
Librarian.

he Reporter laid upon the table No. 42, of the Proceedings

of the Society.

Stated Meeting, May 4.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read: —

From the American Antiquarian Society, dated Worcester,
Mass., 28th April, 1849; and from the Trustees of the New
York State Library, dated Albany, 28th April, 1849, respec-
tively acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of this
Society, Vol. V. No. 42: and—

From Mr. Petty Vaughan, (addressed to the Librarian,)
dated London, 5th April, 1849, requesting, on behalf of the
Royal Institution, that certain numbers of the Transactions,
and also of the Proceedings of this Society, in which their Li-
brary is deficient, should be forwarded to them.

On motion of Dr. Dunglison, the matter was referred to the
Librarian, with power to take order.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. IX. No. 4.
February 9, 1849. London. 8vo.—From the Royal Astrono-
mical Society.

A Paper upon California: read before the Maryland Historical So-
ciety. By J. Morrison Harris, Corresponding Secretary. March,
1849. Baltimore, 1849. 8vo.—From the Maryland Historical
Society.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 4.
April, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colo-
nization Society.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 77. May, 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea and Blanchard.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting, upon the
paper of Lieut. Gilliss, made report, recommending its pub-
lication in the Transactions of this Society; which was ordered
accordingly, and the Committee discharged.

Prof. Kendall referred to an examination which he and

others have recently made of the object-glass, made by Fitz, of
New York, for the telescope recently ordered by Lieut. Gil-
liss, for his observations to be made on the coast of the Pacific.
He stated that it promises to be equal in usefulness and power
to the Fraunhofer Telescope, at the High School Observatory,
a very superior instrument.

Further observations on the manufacture of American glass
lenses, and other objects of flint and crown glass, were made
by Prof. Frazer.

Mr. Justice gave an account of the early efforts and progress
of Mr. Fitz in the manufacture of telescopic lenses.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227 and 228, were read.

On motion of Mr. Trego, it was ordered that the Maryland
Historical Society be placed upon the list of correspondents of
this Society.

Stated Meeting, May 18.
Present, nine members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A. letter was received and read:—

From Prof. E. Everett, dated Cambridge, 10th May, 1849,
accompanying a donation to the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Memoir on the Geological Action of the Tidal and other Currents of
the Ocean. By Charles Henry Davis, A.M. A.A.S., &c., Lieut.
U.S. Navy. Cambridge, 1849. 4to.—From the Author.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Pro-
fessors Silliman and Dana. Vol. VII. No. 21. May, 1849.
New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 5.
May, 1849. Washington. §vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Socvety.

Reports from the Secretary of the Treasury, of Scientific Investiga-
tions in relation to Sugar and Hydrometers: made under the Su-

perintendence of Prof. A. D. Bache: by Prof. R.S. M‘Culloh.
Washington, 1848. 8vo.—From the Author.

Lecture on the Necessity of the Study of Physiology. Delivered be-
fore the American Institute of Instruction, at Hartford, Aug. 22,
1845. By Edward Jarvis, M.D. of Dorchester, Mass. Boston,
1845. 12mo.—From Dr. Edward Jarvis.

Insanity among the Coloured Population of the Free States. By
Edward Jarvis, M.D. 1844.—From the same.

Annual Reports to the Legislature of Massachusetts, relating to the
Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths, in that State, from
1843 to 1848. Boston. 8vo.—From the same.

General Abstracts of the Bills of Mortality for the City of Boston,
for the years 1844, 1845, 1847 and 1848.—From the same.
Sundry Reports and other Documents on the Subject of Insanity, a
Sanitary Survey of the State of Massachusetts, &c. &c.—From

the same.

Annual Reports of the Rail-road Corporations in the State of Massa-
chusetts, for 1848. Boston, 1849. 8vo.— From the same.

Sundry Pamphlets relative to the Finances of the State of Massachu-

. setts, the City of Boston, and the Town of Dorchester, and to In-
surance Companies. Boston, 1849.—F rom the same.

Discourse before the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Council and
Legislature of Massachusetts, at the Annual Election, January 3,
1849. By John Pierce, D.D. Boston, 1849. 8vo.—From the
same.

Report to the Directors of the Pequa Rail-road and Improvement
Company. By Isaac Lea, President of the Company. Phila-
delphia, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

Uber die Vorbedingungen zur Entstehung einer Chronologie bei den
/Egypten, und die Méglichkeit ihrer Wiederherstellung als Ein-
leitung zur Chronologie der AXgypter: Von R. Lepsius. Berlin,
1848. 4to.—From the Author.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVII. No. 5.
May, 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Critical and Miscellaneous Essays. By Alexander H. Everett. Bos-
ton, 1845. 2Vols. 8vo.—From President Edward Everett.

Dr. F. Bache announced the death of Prof. Julius T. Du-
catel, of Baltimore, a member of this Society, who died on the
23d April, at the age of 53.

VOL. V.—N

The proceedings of the Officers and Council, at their last
meeting, were read by Prof. Frazer, clerk, pro tem.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226, 227 and 228; and new
nominations, Nos. 229, 230 and 231, were read.

Stated Meeting, June 15.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Parrrrson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Corporation of the University of Cambridge,
Mass., dated Cambridge, 28th April, 1849, acknowledging the
receipt of Vol. V. No. 42, of the Proceedings of this So-
ciety :—

From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Newark,
16th May, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceed-
ings of this Society, from No. 38 to 42, inclusive: and—

From Edw. D. Ingraham, Esq-., dated Philadelphia, 15th
June, 1849, announcing a donation to the Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. IX. No.
5, March 9; and No. 6, April 13, 1849. London. 8vo.—From
the Royal Astronomical Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Vol. II. No. 16. April 1849. London.
8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart. F.L.S.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia;
from March 6 to April 24, 1849.—From the Academy of Na-
tural Sciences, Philadelphia.

On the Intimate Structure and History of the Articular Cartilages ;
and Observations on the Existence of the Intermaxillary Bone in
the Embryo of the Human Subject. By Joseph Leidy, M.D.
8vo.—From the Author.

History and Transformations of Corydalus Cornutus. By S. S.
Haldeman, A.M.; and Internal Anatomy of Corydalus Cornutus,

in its three stages of existence. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. Ex-
tracted from the Journal of the American Academy of Arts and
Sciences. Boston and Cambridge, 1848. 4to.—From the Au-
thors.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVII. No. 6.
June, 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 78, and Supplement.
June, 1849. Philadelphia. 8Svo.—From Lea and Blanchard.

The African Repository and Cojonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 6.
June, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

A Narrative of Events which occurred in Baltimore Town during
the Revolutionary War: to which are appended various Docu-
ments and Letters, the greater part of which have never been
heretofore published. By Robert Purviance. Baltimore, 1849.
8vo.—From the Maryland Historical Society.

Fac-simile Reprint of “ Poor Richard’s Almanac, for the year of
Christ, 1733. Printed and sold by B. Franklin, at the New
Printing Office, near the Market.” Philadelphia, 1849. 12mo.
From E. D. Ingraham, Esq.

Mr. Isaac Lea made the following communication upon
some reptilian foot-marks recently discovered by him in the
gorge of the Sharp Mountain, near Pottsville, Pa.

It has not been until within a very few years that fossil “ foot-
marks” have been discovered and sufficiently observed to identify
them with existing families and genera. Dr. Deane and Professor
Hitchcock observed many in the new red sandstone of Connecticut
and Massachusetts, and have described them in various papers in the
American Journal of Science and Arts. Recently the latter gentle-
man has published an extensive and able paper on the subject in the
Transactions of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vol. III.

Accompanying the “ foot-marks,” the surface of the layers was
frequently covered with “ripple marks, and the pits of rain drops.”
Mr. Redfield also observed them in New Jersey. As strict science
is always disposed to receive new facts with caution, there was a
good deal of scepticism displayed on the announcement of these dis-
coveries; but the accumulation of evidence from various parts of the
world soon satisfied the doubts of the most scrupulous. It would
now be almost ridiculous to doubt “ fossil foot-marks.” There is no
geological fact better established.

The great point now among geologists is to enlarge our know-
ledge of them by increasing and multiplying the facts. For this
purpose there have been many active observers in the field, and only
a few years since the scientific world was startled with the announce-
ment, by Dr. King, of Greensburg, Pa., of the fact, that he had dis-
covered unquestionable fossil foot-marks of reptiles in the sandstone
of the coal measures, in Westmoreland county, near that town. A
short time before this Mr. Logan had discovered, in the carboniferous
rocks of Nova Scotia, foot-marks which appeared to Mr. Owen to
belong to some unknown species of reptile. A communication was
made by Dr. King, to the Academy of Natural Sciences, December
17th, 1844, in which he gave the description and figures of a bird
and two ‘“saurian reptiles.” No saurian remains had, before these
announcements, been found lower in the series than the new red
sandstone, and this new fact created great interest among geologists.
Dr. King states the impressions to be “near 800 feet beneath the
topmost stratum of the coal formation.”

Mr. Lyell, in Silliman’s Journal, July, 1846, describes his visit to
Greensburg, where he examined these foot-marks, and sustained Dr.
King’s observation and description of them. He considered them to be-
long to the genus Cheirotherium. He says, “ they consist, as before
stated, of the tracks of a large reptilian quadruped, in a sandstone in
the middle of the carboniferous series, a fact so full of novelty and
interest that, when we reflect on its importance, all disappointment in
the abandonment of the spurious foot prints is forgotten :” and further
on he observes, that ‘here, in Pennsylvania, for the first time, we
meet with evidence of the existence of air-breathing quadrupeds, capa-
ble of roaming in those forests where the Sigillaria, Lepidodendron,
Caulopteris, Calamites, Ferns, and other plants flourished.”

In these papers of Dr. King and Mr. Lyell, it is not a little re-
markable that they both should have overlooked or passed unnoticed
the fact, announced by Mr. Lyell himself, three years before, in Silli-
man’s Journal, that Mr. Logan had discovered foot steps in the car-
boniferous rocks of Nova Scotia, “ constituting the first indications of
the reptilian class known in the carboniferous rooks.” (Vol. 45, page
358.)

The object of this communication is to announce to the Society,
that I have discovered the foot prints, in bas relief, of a reptilian
quadruped, lower in the series than has yet been observed. On the
5th of April last, in the examination of the strata in the gorge of the
Sharp Mountain, near Pottsville, Pa., where the Schuylkill breaks

through it, a large mass of remarkably fine old red sandstone at-
tracted my attention. Imprinted upon it, I was surprised to find six
distinct impressions of foot-marks, in a double row of tracks, each
mark being duplicated by the hind foot falling into the impression of
the fore foot, but a little more advanced. ‘The strata here are tilted a
little over the vertical, and the surface of rock exposed was about
twelve feet by six feet, the whole of which surface was covered with
ripple marks and the pits of rain drops, beautifully displayed in the
very fine texture of the deep red sandstone.

The six double impressions distinctly show, in the two parallel
rows formed by the left feet on the one side and the right feet on the
other, that the animal had five toes on the fore feet, three of which
toes were apparently armed with unguinal appendages. The length
of the double impression is four and a quarter inches ;* the breadth
four inches; the distance apart in the length of the step of the ani-
mal thirteen inches; across, from outside to outside, eight inches.

=
SS Se
RN
. AZ eee Miler
Z gS | SEA) TLR
a ASN ‘. Wihiioas
; Exe cS i mm Lies
2 “\4 Ss ‘. Sars \ (iS ‘
Ws, <7 Y=
Wee wo =
Wests Ze fr NAS —-
ree ome % SS = —

whee’

ha
WA ;

WA
ie
Y)
5
=
Y

it
IN
AS
NN

ook

* The figure is rather more than half the natural size of the impression.

The mark of the dragging of the tail is distinct, and occasionally
slightly obliterates a small part of the impressions of the foot-marks.
The ripple marks are seven to eight inches apart, and very distinct,
as well as the pits of the rain drops. These foot-marks assimilate re-
markably to those of the recent Alligator Mississippiensis, and are
certainly somewhat analogous to the Cheirotherium.

The geological position of this reptilian quadruped is of great in-
terest, from the fact, that no such animal remains have heretofore
been discovered so low in the series. Those described by Dr. King,
in the great western coal field, are only 800 feet below the surface
of the coal formation. (No. 13, of Prof. Rogers, the State Geologist.)
The position of the Pottsville “ foot-marks” is about 8500 feet below
the upper part of the coal formation there, which is 6750 feet thick,
according to Professor Rogers, and they are in the “red shale,” (his
No. 11,) the intermediate silicious conglomerate (No. 12,) being
stated by him to be 1031 feet thick at Pottsville. These measure-
ments would bring these foot-marks about 700 feet below the upper
surface of the old red sandstone.

A mass of coal plants exists immediately on the northern face of
the heavy conglomerate, here tilted ten degrees over the vertical, and
forming the crest and “back-bone” of Sharp Mountain. This con-
glomerate mass is about 150 feet thick at the western side of the road
below Pottsville. On the same road side, about 1735 feet from these
coal plants, is the face of the rock, tilted slightly over the vertical,
and facing the north. It is proper to state, that the limestone of the
old red sandstone exists here, about two feet thick, and underlies
these “‘ foot-marks” sixty-five feet.

On the slab there are obscure remains of other organized matter ;
small spots, with filamentous radiations, and a small bone or seed-
like mark, which is difficult to make out.

I was fortunate enough to obtain these impressions in a large and
heavy slab, which is now in my possession.

It is my intention, when more at leisure, to make a more lengthened
and accurate description, with correct figures, of this remarkable and
interesting specimen, which exhibits on its table the record of the
oldest saurian yet observed. When finished, the paper will be sub-
mitted to the Society for publication in the Transactions. In the
meantime, I propose the provisional name of Sauropus primevus.

Stated Meeting, July 20.
Present, eight members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Untersuchungen tiber die Gegenseitige Lage der Bahnen der zwischen
Mars und Jupiter sich bewegenden Planeten. Inaugural Disser-
tation von Benjamin Apthorp Gould. Gdttingen, 1848. 4to.
From the Author.

Dei Fenomini Elettrici della Macchina di Armstrong, e delle cause
loro assegnate dai fisici. Memoria del Cav. Prof. F. Zantedeschi.
8vo.—From Prof. Zantedescht.

Dell’ Influenza delle Variazoni di Pressione nelle Indicazioni ‘Termo-
metriche. Memoria del Cav. Prof. Franc. Zantedeschi. 8vo.
From the same.

Della Produzione d’Imagini otienuta dalla Projezione Spontanea degli
Ossidi Metallici sottoposti ad alte temperature e di un quarto stato
della materia. Del Cav. Prof. Franc. Zantedeschi. 8vo.—From
the same.

Elenco delle Principale Opere Scientifiche dell’ Abate Francesco
Zantedeschi, é&c. Venezia, 1849. 8vo.—From the same.

Catalogue of Plants, native and naturalized, collected in the vicinity
of Cincinnati, Ohio, during the years 1834—1844. By Thomas
G. Lea. Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—From Isaac Lea.

Sixty-second Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York: made to the Legislature, March 1, 1849.
Albany, 1849. 8vo.—From the Regents of the University of
the State of New York.

Service Pipes for Water. An Investigation made at the suggestion
of the Board of Consulting Physicians of Boston. By Prof. E. N.
Horsford. Cambridge, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.
Published quarterly, under the direction of “* The Philadelphia So-
ciety for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons,’ instituted
1787. Vol. IV. No. 3. July, 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From
the Philadelphia Prison Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Vol. III. No. 17. May, 1849. London.
8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. IX. No.
7. May 11,1849. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profs.
Silliman and Dana. Second Series. Vol. VIII. No. 22. July,
1849. New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

Observations at the Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory at the
Girard College, Philadelphia: made under the direction of A. D.
Bache, L.L.D., and with funds supplied by the Members of the
American Philosophical Scciety, and by the Topographical Bu-
reau of the United States. 1840 to 1845. Printed by order of
the Senate of the United States, and under the direction of the
Topographical Bureau. 3 Vols. 8vo. and one 4to. Vol. of Plates.
Washington, 1847.—From A. D. Bache, L.L.D.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXXV. New Series. July, 1849. Philadelphia.
8vo.—From Dr. Isaac Hays.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 79. July, 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea and Blanchard.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVIII. No. 1.
July, 1849.—From the Institute.

On the Composition of Schuylkill Water. By Martin H. Boye,
M.D. A.M.—From the Author.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 7.
July, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

The Documentary History of the State of New York, arranged under
direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of State.
By E. B. O’Callaghan, M.D. Albany, 1849. 8vo.—From the
Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Notes on the Cathedral Libraries of England. By Beriah Botsfield.
London. 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. ‘Troisiéme Serie. ‘Tome IX.
Paris, 1848. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.

Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢me Serie. Tome XII. Nos. ‘57, 58, 59,
60. Aug. to Dec. 1848. Paris. 8vo.—From the Asiatic So-
ciety of Paris.

Dr. Horner called the attention of the members to the popu-

lar opinion, that the prevalence of Cholera is owing to a pe-
culiar condition of the atmosphere.

Dr. Franklin Bache made some observations on the pre-
sumed electrical condition of the atmosphere as connected with
Cholera, and doubted the influence ascribed to this condition
in some recent publications.

Mr. Sears C. Walker communicated to the Society the dis-
covery of a new analogy in relation to the periods of rotation
of the primary planets, recently made by Mr. Daniel Kirk-
wood, of Pottsville, Pa.

Mr. W. remarked at length on the nature of the analogy, and gave
his opinion, based on careful computations, made for the purpose of
testing the hypothesis, that it deserves to rank at least with Kepler’s
harmonies, and that its close agreement with the elements of all the
primary planets, justifies the remark, “ that it is difficult to resist the
conclusion that it is a law of nature.”

This analogy may be thus expressed: ‘¢ The square of the num-
ber of a planet’s days in its year, is as the cube of Laplace’s diameter
of the planets sphere of attraction in the nebular hypothesis.”

Mr. W. expressed a belief, that Mr. Kirkwood’s analogy would
tend to throw light on the present internal organization of the planets,
and perhaps, also, on their more primitive condition, as assumed by
Laplace in his nebular hypothesis.

Whatever may have been in a more primitive state, that quantity
of motion which is now the momentum of rotation of the planets, we
know that it must have been a constant. While, therefore, each
planet now preserves this constant momentum of rotation, it has taken
such a diameter, such a mean density, and such a decrease of density,
from centre to surface, as to give it that angular velocity of rotation,
which has, towards the ratio of the mean distance, and primitive di-
ameter of the sphere of attraction, the very simple relation first dis-
covered by Mr. Kirkwood. If either the diameter, mass or law of
decrease of density, from centre to surface, for any one of the planets
were different from its present state, Kirkwood’s analogy would fail
for that planet.

We may also remark, that a great change in the quantity of caloric
of a planet, or in the law of its distribution in the interior of it, or in
the calorific repulsion of any two adjacent particles, at a given tem-
perature and given distance from each other, would impair the pre-
cision of the analogy. Since no.such defect is noticed in the applica-

VOL. V.—o

tion of Kirkwood’s analogy to the planets of the system, it follows,
that, in their present condition, they present that nice adaptation of
parts which is necessary to produce in the whole the harmony noticed
by Mr. Kirkwood. This nice adaptation of parts they must have had
in any primitive state differing from the present. To such a state
our attention is unavoidably drawn by the necessity of introducing
into Kirkwood’s formula, the diameter of their sphere of attraction,
derived from the nebular hypothesis.

The stated business of the meeting, the balloting for candi-
dates for membership, was postponed in consequence of there
not being the requisite quorum of members present.

Pending nominations, Nos. 226 to 231, inclusive, were read.

Stated Meeting, Jugust 17.
Present, eight members.
Dr. Parrzerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read:—

From the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; and
from Gen. Jos. G. Totten, announcing donations to the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Reports, &c. of the Smithsonian Institution, exhibiting the Plans,
Operations and Financial Condition, up to January 1, 1849. From
the Third Annual Report of the Board of Regents. Presented to
Congress, Feb. 19, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the In-
stitution. j

Another copy of the same.—From Dr. Dunglison.

An Account of the Observatory at Pulkova, as written for the North
American Review. July, 1849.—From the Author, B. A. °
Gould, Jr.

Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the year 1847. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A. Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. VIII. Published by order of the Radcliffe Trus-
tees. Oxford, 1849. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe Trustees.

Circular prepared by direction of the Hon. Wm. Ballard Preston,
Secretary of the Navy, in relation to the Astronomical Expedition
to Chili. By Lieut. M. F. Maury, U. S. N., Superintendent of

the National Observatory. Washington, 1849. 4to.—From
Tneut. J. M. Gilliss, U. S. N.

Papers on Practical Engineering. Published by the Engineer De-
partment, for the use of the United States Corps of Engineers.
Vol. I. No.4. Description of a System of Military Bridges with
India Rubber Pontons. Prepared for the United States Army,
by Capt. Geo. W. Cullum, United States Engineers. 1849.
8vo.—From Gen. J. G. Totten.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No.
8. Aug. 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Co-
lonization Society.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. IV. No. 1.
1849. 8yvo.—From the Society.

A Sketch of the Events which preceded the Capture of Washington,
by the British, on the 24th of August, 1814. Philadelphia. 1849.
8vo.—From the Author, E. D. Ingraham, Esq.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVIII. No.
2. Aug. 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 80. Aug. 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea and Blanchard.

Mr. Justice read an extract of a letter from Merz & Son, of
Munich, in relation to a new parallactic telescope recently
constructed by them, with many new improvements. It ad-
mits of an unusually extensive change of elevation, being
applicable to a great extent of latitude, and the whole is calcu-
lated for mounting upon stone.

Mr. Justice made some observations on the late extraordi-
nary rise in the Mississippi river, which he was inclined to
attribute to a partial elevation of the coast and a consequent
rise in the bed of the river.

He thought facts corroborated the opinion of a general rising of the
coast of the river, being the cause of the overflow. The channel
of the river opposing less resistance to the influence of the upheaving
cause, became more flexed than the surface of the surrounding coun-
try, and hence the long continued and great discharge of water
through the crevasse, at a time when no unusual floods had reached
the Mississippi from its tributaries.

Dr. Patterson announced the death of Albert Gallatin, the
oldest surviving member of this Society, who died at New
York, on the 13th instant, in the 90th year of his age.

100

Stated Meeting, September 21.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were received and read :—

From the Royal Institute of Science, Belles-Lettres and the
Arts of the Netherlands, dated Amsterdam, April, 1849;
and from the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated
Munich, Ist February, 1849, announcing the transmission of
donations to the Society :—

From the Royal Institution of London, dated Albemarle
street, 2d May, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. V.
No. 41, of the Proceedings of this Society :—

From F. Le Play of the Ecole des Mines, Paris, dated Paris,
30th July, 1849, in relation to the exchange of publications
with this Society: and—

From Mr. Reuben Hanse, dated Philadelphia, 13th Septem-
ber, 1849, transmitting a communication on the origin of the
planetary motions, by Mr. Wm. Kahler.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Discursos Politicos sobre la Legislacion y la Historia del antiguo
Reino de Aragon. Por Don Javier de Quinto, de la Academia
de Ja Historia. Madrid, 1848. 8vo.— From the Author.

Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklyk Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde, en Schoone Kunsten,
te Amsterdam. Derde Reeks; Eersten Deels; Tweedes Stuk.
Amsterdam, 1848. 4to.—From the Royal Netherlands Insti-
tute of Science, Literature and the Fine Arts.

Tydschrift voor de Wis-en Natuurkundige Wetenschappen, uitge-
geven door de Eerste Klasse van het Koninklyk Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde, en Schoone Kunsten.
Tweede Deel: 3 and 4 aflevering. Amsterdam, 1849. 8vo.
From the same.

Nachrichten von der Georg Augusts Universitit und der Kéniglich
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Gottingen: vom jahre 1848.

101

No. 1—14. Giattingen, 1848. 8vo.—From the Royal Society
of Sciences at Gittingen.

Executive Documents of the First Session of the Thirtieth Congress
of the United States, 1847-8. 9 Vols. Washington. 8vo.
From the Department of State, Washington.

Journal of the Senate of the United States, being the First Session of
the Thirtieth Congress, begun and held at the City of Washing-
ton, Dec. 4, 1847. 1 Vol. 8vo.— From the same.

Reports of Committees: Printed by order of the Senate of the United
States during the First Session of the Thirtieth Congress, 1847-8.
1 Vol. 8vo.—From the same.

Documents: Printed by order of the Senate of the United States
during the First Session of the Thirtieth Congress, 1847-8. 8
Vols. Svo.—From the same.

Miscellaneous Documents: Printed by order of the Senate of the
United States during the First Session of the Thirtieth Congress,
1847-8. 1 Vol. 8vo.—From the same.

Documents: Printed by order of the Senate of the United States at
the Second Session of the Twenty-eighth Congress, 1844-5. Vols.
IV. V. VI.—From the same.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, being
the First Session of the Thirtieth Congress, begun and held in the
City of Washington, Dec. 6, 1847. 1 Vol. 8vo.—From the
same.

Miscellaneous Documents: Printed by order of the House of Repre-
sentatives during the First Session of the Thirtieth Congress,
1847-8. 1 Vol. 8vo.— From the same.

Reports of Committees during the First Session of the Thirtieth Con-
gress, 1847-8. 4 Vols. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. 1. Part 3. Philadelphia. July, 1849. 4to.—From
the Academy.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Second Series. Vol. III. No. 18, June,
and Vol. [V. No. 19, July, 1849. London. 8vo.—From Sir
William Jardine.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 9.
Sept. 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VJI. No. 81. Sept. 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea and Blanchard.

102

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVIII. No.
3. Sept. 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.
American Colonial History : An Address made by Thomas Donald-
son, Esq. before the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore,
March 29, 1849, being the Fourth Annual Address to that As-
sociation. Baltimore, 1849. 8vo.—From the Maryland His-

torical Society.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. May
30, 1848, to Aug. 8, 1849. Boston. 8vo.—From the Academy.

A Glance at the Fossil Flora of the Carboniferous Epoch, with
especial reference to the Yorkshire Coal Field. A Paper read
before the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West Riding
of Yorkshire, at Wakefield, March 8, 1849. By Henry Denny,
A.L.S. Leeds, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

Bulletin der Kéniglich Akademie der Wissenschaften. Jahrgang,
1848. No. 1 to52. Munich. 4to.—rom the Royal Bavarian
Academy of Sciences.

Abhandlungen der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe der K6nig-
lich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vol. V. Part
2. Munich, 1848. 4to.—From the same.

Gelehrte Anzeigen: Herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der Koniglich
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vols. XXVI. XXVII.
Munich, 1848. 4to.—From the same.

Die Chemie in ihrem yerhaltnisse zur Physiologie und Pathologie:
Festrede vorgetragen in der 6ffentlichen sitzung der Kéniglich
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Miinchen, zur feier
ihres neun und achzigsten stiftungs-tages, am 28 Marz, 1848.
Von Prof. D. Max. Pettenkofer. Munich, 1848. 4to.—From
the same.

Denkrede auf Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini: Gelesen in der 6ffentlichen
sitzung der Kéniglich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften,
am 28 Marz, 1848. Von Carl Friedr. Phil. v. Martius. “Munich,
1848. 4to.—From the same.

Annalen der Koniglichen Sternwarte bei Miinchen. Von Dr. J. La-
mont. Vol. I. Munich, 1848. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Ubersicht der Arbeiten und Veranderiungen der Schlesichsen Gesell-
schaft fiir vaterlandische Kultur im Jahre, 1847. Breslau, 1848.
From Prof. Von Boguslawskt.

Uranus synchronistich geordnete Ephemeride aller Himmelserschein-
ungen des jahres 1849, erstes und zweites Quartal; zunachst

103

berechnet fiir den Horizont der Sternwarte zu Breslau, &c.—From
the Editor, Prof. Von Boguslawskt.

On the use of a New Micrometer, and its application to the Determi-
nation of the Parallax of Mars. By Prof. Dr. Von Boguslawski.
From the Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XV.
From the Author.

Verzeichniss simmtlicher Werke, Abhandlungen, Aufsatze und Be-
merkungen von Friedr. Wilh. Bessel. Zusammengetragen, chron-
ologisch geordnet, und mit einem gedrangten Sachregister ver-
sehen. Von Dr. A. L. Busch. Kdénigsberg, 1849. 4to.—From
the Author.

Judge Kane announced the death of Charles Chauncey, Esq.
a member of this Society, who died on the 30th August, in the
73d year of his ege, and accompanied the announcement with
a brief tribute to his merits.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the death of Mr. Jacob Per-
kins, of London, formerly of Philadelphia, a member of this
Society, who died on the 30th July, in the 83d year of his
age.
Prof. Kendall presented a paper from Prof. L. C. Garland,
entitled “A Notice of the Astronomical Observatory of Ala-
bama, situated at Tuscaloosa,’ which was referred to a Com-
mittee, consisting of Prof. Kendall, Prof. S. Alexander, and Mr.
Downes.

Prof. Frazer read a communication from Mr. Wm. Kahler,
on the origin of the motion of the planets, which was referred
to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Frazer, Prof. Kendall and
Mr. Justice.

Pending nominations, from No. 226 to 231, inclusive, were
read.

On motion of Prof. Kendall, the following resolution was
adopted.

“ Resolved, That the American Philosophical Society, highly ap-
proving of the proposal of the American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, to publish an Astronomical Journal, for the prompt
circulation of information relative to the advancement of astronomical
science in this country and in Europe, recommend the proposal to
the encouragement of the friends and patrons of science throughout
the United States.”

. Prat
1 ebay

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Vout. V. OCTOBER, 1849—MARCH, 1850. No. 44.

Stated Meeting, October 5.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was read:—

From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
Moscow, 3d May, 1849, announcing the transmission of a do-
nation to the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar, for adr 1846. Stock-
holm. 8vo.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.

Arsberattelse om Zoologiens Framsteg under aren 1848, 1844, 1845,
1846; till Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien; afgifven af Zoologiz
Intendenterna, é&c. Vols. II]. and IV. Stockholm, 1847-8. 8vo.
From the same.

Arsberittelse om Framstegen i Kemi och Mineralogi, afgifven den 31
Mars, 1847. Af Jac. Berzelius. Stockholm, 1848. 8va.—
From the same.

Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Forhandlingar. 1847.
Nos. 7, 8, 9; and 1848: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5,6. Stockholm. 8vo.
From the same.

Index Molluscorum litora Scandinavie Occidentalia habitantium.
Faun Prodromum offert S. Lovén. Stockholm, 1846. 8yvo.—
From the Author.

Annales des Mines. Tome IX. X. 1846; XI. XII. 1847; XIII. XIV.
1848. Paris. 8yvo.—From the Chief Engineer of the Ecole
des Mines.

VOL. V.—P

106

Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome XIII. Nos. 61 to 64,
inclusive. January to May, 1849. Paris. 8vo.—From the
Asiatic Society of Paris.

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisiéme Série. ‘Tome X.
Paris, 1849. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.

Compte Rendu de la Société Géologique de France. Réunion extra-
ordinaire 4 Epinal. Sept. 1847. 8vo.—From the Geological
Society of Paris.

Mémoire sur la Protogine des Alpes. Par M. A. Delesse. 1849.
8vo.— From the Author.

Sur le Pouvoir Magnétique des Minéraux et des Roches. Par M. A.
Delesse, Ingénieur des Mines. 8vo.—/*rom the same.

Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. Nos.
3 & 4,1848. No.1. 1849. 8vo.—From the Imperial Society
of Naturalists of Moscow.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XIX.
Part 1. London, 1849.—From the Society.

Report of the Eighteenth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, held at Swansea, in August, 1848.
London. 8vo.—from the Association.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Second Series. Vol. I[V. No. 20. Aug. 1849.
London. 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Baronet.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
VIII. No. 23. Sept. 1849. New Haven. 8vo.—From the
Editors.

The Committee to whom had been referred at the last meet-
ing, Mr. Kahler’s communication on the origin of the Plane-
tary motions, reported that they deemed it in its present state
unsuited for publication in the Transactions of the Society, and
recommended that it be held subject to the disposal of the
author.

The recommendation was adopted, and the Committee dis-
charged.

Professor Frazer exhibited two diamonds from the gold re-
gion of Georgia. They are well crystallized, not of very fine
water, and weigh about one and a half carats each. The gen-
tleman from whom they came states, that he believes that
others may be obtained from the same locality.

Dr. MacEuen exhibited a specimen, said to be pure zinc, ob-

107

tained by distillation in close vessels, from the red oxide of
zine found in the northern part of New Jersey.

These communications gave rise to a discussion, in which
Messrs. Trego, Fraley, Justice and Frazer took part.

Pending nominations, from Nos. 226 to 231, inclusive, were
read.

Stated Meeting, October 19.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read :—

From the Royal Institution of London, dated Albemarle
street, 31st August, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of Nos.
1, 2, 4, 8, 27, and 42, of the Proceedings of this Society.

Also, a printed circular from a Committee of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, dated 1st October,
1849, in relation to the establishment and publication of an
Astronomical Journal in this country.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Vol. XI. Part 1, and Vol. XII. Part 1. London, 1849. 8vo.—
From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. No. 19.
Aug. 1, 1849. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Vol.IV. No. 21. Sept. 1849. London. 8vo.—
From Sir William Jardine.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. [V. No. 2.
Newark, 1849. 8vo.—From the Society.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. 36. New Series. Oct. 1849. Philadelphia.
8vo.— From Dr. Hays.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 82. Oct. 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The Swedish Church in America. A Discourse delivered before the

108

Historical Society of the American Lutheran Church, May 18,
1848. By William M. Reynolds, A.M. Professor in Pennsylvania
College, Gettysburg, Pa. 8vo.—From Professor M. L. Stoever,
of Gettysburg.

The Study of Natural History. An Address delivered before the

_ Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College, at the Annual
Commencement, Sept. 19, 1849. By Daniel M. Smyser, A.M.
Gettysburg, 1849. 8vo.—From the same.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.
Vol. TV. No. 4. Oct. 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the
Phiiadelphia Prison Society.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 10.
Oct. 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloniza-
tion Society.

Mr. Justice mentioned to the Society, that within a few
weeks past he had had placed in his hands for examination, a
telescope, the object-glass of which had been affected by the
deterioration before alluded to by him. In this case the im-
pression from one of the lenses of the object-glass had been
communicated to the other lens.

Professor Henry communicated some experiments which he
had made upon the subject of the radiation of heat. It occurred
to him, from the constitution of the atmosphere, that if the air
was a good radiator of heat, the higher temperatures below,
and lower above, could not be permanent. By placing a
thermo-multiplier before a flame, interposing a screen of wood
with a hole through it, radiation from the flame was perceived,
becoming Jess as the flame was lowered, and still existing,
though in small quantities, from the heated air above the flame.
Prof. H. also repeated the experiments upon the radiation of
heat from flames. The radiation of heat from the flame of
hydrogen is but small, as is its radiation of light. This radia-
tion is much increased by placing a solid in the flame. This is
in accordance with Count Rumford’s assertion, that clay-balls
placed in the fire increased the amount of heat. Prof. Henry
also mentioned some experiments which he had made some
years ago upon the reflection of heat from ice with a concave
mirror of that substance.

109

The stated business of the meeting, the balloting for mem-
bers, was then proceeded with.

On motion of Professor Frazer, the Librarian was directed
to subscribe, on the part of the Society, to the Astronomical
Journal, which it is proposed to publish in Boston, under the
editorship of B. A. Gould, jr.

The other business of the meeting having been concluded,
the ballot-boxes were opened, and the following named gentle-
men were declared duly elected members of the Society.

Joun Goopsir, Esq., of Edinburg.

Joun Hugues Bennet, M.D., of Edinburg.
Francis Kiernan, Esq., of London.

A. A. Goutp, M.D., of Boston.

JosepH Leipy, M.D., of Philadelphia.

W.S. W. Ruscuensercer, M.D., U.S. Navy.

Stated Meeting, November 2.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Parrerrson, President, in the Chair.

Dr. Ruschenberger, a newly elected member, was intro-
duced, and took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From Dr. Augustus A. Gould, dated Boston, 27th October,
and from Dr. W.S. W. Ruschenberger, dated Philadelphia,
22d October; respectively acknowledging the receipt of no-
tice of their election as members of this Society ;—

From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manches-
ter, dated Society’s Rooms, George street, 3d October, 1849,
acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 41 and 42 of the Proceed-
ings of this Society :—

From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, dated Albany, 27th October, 1849: and,—from the
American Antiquarian Society, dated Worcester, Mass., 27th
Octcber, 1849, both acknowledging the receipt of No. 43 of
the Proceedings of this Society.

110

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Sixteenth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society,
1848. Falmouth. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XVIII. No. 4.
Oct. 1829. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

A Memoir of Charles Alexander Lesueur. Read before the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society, at the stated meeting, on the 6th of
April, 1849: by George Ord. 8vo.—From the Author.

The following resolution was offered by Dr. Hays.

Resolved, That the Curators be authorized to deposit the fossil or-
ganic remains, belonging to this Society, with the Academy of Na-
tural Sciences of Philadelphia: provided that the Academy will agree
to accept of the deposit and take proper measures for the preserva-
tion of the specimens; and, farther, shall, by their proper officer,
sign a receipt for the same, and agree to return them in good condi-
tion when required by this Society.

Which was read, considered, and adopted.

On motion of Dr. F. Bache, the following resolution was
adopted.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of the best
means of arranging and preserving the “Franklin Manuscript Pa-
pers,” now in the possession of this Society.

And Dr. F. Bache, Mr. Trego, and Mr. Ord, were appointed
as the Committee.

Mr. Trego, on the part of the Reporter, laid upon the table
No. 43 of the Proceedings of the Society.

Stated Meeting, November 16.
Present, fourteen members.

Dr. Patrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read: —

From the Royal Geographical Society of London, dated
18th June, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of No. 41 of the
Proceedings of the Society.

111

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. [X. No. 9.
Supplement. London. 1849. 8vo.—From the Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sors Silliman and Dana. Second Series. No. 24. Nov. 1849.
New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VII. No. 83. Nov. 1849.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No. 11.
Noy. 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

The Minutes of the Board of Officers and Council, at their
last meeting, were read.

Stated Meeting, December 7.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

The following letter, from the Secretary of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, was read.

“ Philadelphia, 6th Dec. 1849.
Cuartes B. TreEGo, Esa.

Sir,—I have the honour of informing you, that at a meeting of the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, held 27th November,
your communication was duly received, as well as the resolution
adopted by the American Philosophical Society, authorizing its Cura-
tors to deposit the fossil organic remains, belonging to the Society,
with the Academy of Natural Sciences, upon certain conditions
thereto annexed: whereupon it was moved, ‘ That the Curators of
this Academy be authorized to receive said collection of organic re-
mains, upon the conditions proposed by the American Philosophical
Society, with power to modify said conditions should it appear neces-
sary ;’ which, I have great pleasure in informing you, was adopted,

112

with a high sense of gratitude towards your distinguished Society,
for the favour they conferred.
With sentiments of the highest respect,
I am, Sir, your friend and servant,

JOHN CASSIN,

Cor. Sec. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada.”

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

The Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society, of London. No.
VII. Oct. 1, 1849. London. 8vo.—From the Chemical So-
ciety.

Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phi-
ladelphia. Vol. II. No. 8. From May 1 to Oct. 2, 1849. Phi-
ladelphia. Svo.—From the College of Physicians.

Letter to the Hon. John M. Clayton, Secretary of State, enclosing a
Paper, Geographical, Political and Commercial, on the Indepen-
dent Oriental Nations; and containing a Plan for opening, ex-
tending and protecting American Commerce in the East, &c.
By Aaron Haight Palmer, Counsellor of the Supreme Court of
the United States. Washington, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the Warehousing Sys-
tem; made to the Senate of the United States, February 22,
1849. Washington. 8vo.—From Charles B. Trego, Esq.

The Medical News and Library: Vol. VII. No. 84. December,
1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

An Essay on Cause and Effect; being an examination of Hume’s
doctrine that we can perceive no necessary connexion between
them. By George Tucker, late Professor of Moral Philosophy
in the University of Virginia, Member of the American Philoso-
phical Society, &c. Philada., 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Mr. Coles announced the death of Mr. Wm. Short, a mem-
ber of this Society, which occurred on the 5th inst., in the
91st year of his age.

The Treasurer presented his Annual Report, which was
read. New nomination No. 232 was read.

Dr. Franklin Bache, Chairman of the Committee appointed
on the 2d November last, on the arrangement and preservation »
of the “Franklin Manuscript Papers,’’? made a report from -

113

that Committee, recommending the adoption, by the Society,
of the following resolutions:

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to superintend the ar-
rangement of the Franklin Manuscript Papers, in chronological or-
der, with a view to their convenient binding in volumes; with power
to engage the services of a person to perform the labour of arranging
the papers and preparing a general index to the volumes.

Resolved, That a sum, not exceeding two hundred and fifty dol-
lars, be appropriated to defray the expenses of arranging the papers,
preparing the index, and binding the volumes.

Which resolutions were considered and adopted, and, under
the first resolution, a Committee was appointed, consisting of
Dr. Franklin Bache Mr. Ord and Mr. Justice.

Stated Meeting, December 21.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Patrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read :—

From Dr. J. Hughes Bennett, dated Edinburg, 15th Nov.
1849 :—

From Dr. Leidy, dated Philadelphia, 12th December, 1849;
both acknowledging the receipt of notice of their election as
members of this Society :—

From the Royal Society of London, dated Somerset Sree
August, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X. of the
Transactions, and Nos. 36 to 40, inclusive, of the Proceedings
of this Society: and,—

From the Historical Society of New Jersey, dated New-
ark, N. J., 30th November, 1849, announcing the transmission
of a donation to this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Mémoires de |’Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres, et des
Beaux Arts de Belgique. Tomes XXI. et XXII. Bruxelles, 1848.
Ato.— From the Royal Belgian Academy of Sciences, &c.

VOL. V.—@

i14

Mémoires Couronnés et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers: Publies

par l’Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres, et des Beaux

Arts de Belgique. Tome XXI. 1846-7. Bruxelles, 1848. 4to.—
From the same.

Bulletins de l’Académie Royale des Sciences, &c. de Belgique. ‘Tome
XIV. 2éme Partie, 1847; et Tome XV. leére Partie, 1848.
Bruxelles. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Annuaire de Académie Royale des Sciences, &c. de Belgique:
14éme Année. Bruxelles, 1848. 12mo.—F rom the same.
Annales de l’Observatoire Royale de Bruxelles: Publiées aux frais
de l’Etat, par le Directeur A. Quetelet. Tome VI. Bruxelles,

1848. 4to.—From ihe same.

Annuaire de l’Observatoire Royale de Bruxelles. Par A. Quetelet,
Directeur de l’Etablissement. 1848. 15¢me Année. Bruxelles.
12mo.—From the same.

Catalogue des Livres de la Bibliothéque de l’Observatoire Royale de
Bruxelles. Bruxelles, 1847. 8vo.—From the same.

Rapport addressé a M. le Ministre de l’Interieur, sur l’état et les
travaux de l’Obseryatoire Royale pendant l’année 1847. Par
M. le Directeur A. Quetelet. Bruxelles, 1847. Svo.—From the
Author.

Observations des Phénoménes Periodiques. (Extrait du Tome XXI.
des Mémoires de l’Académie Royale de Belgique.) Bruxelles.
Ato.—From the same.

Bulletin de la Societ¢ Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou: Année
1844. Tome XVII. No. 4; et Année 1845. Tome XVIII.
No. 1. Moscow, 1844-5. 8vo.—From the Imperial Society of
Naturalists of Moscow.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
year 1848. Parts 1 and 2; and Part 1, for 1849. London.
Ato.—From the Society.

List of the Council, Scientific Committees, and Fellows of the Royal
Society of London, Nov. 30, 1847; and Noy. 30, 1848. Lon-
don. 4to.—F rom the same.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Nos. 69,70,71 & 72,
from Noy. 30, 1847, to Feb. 22, 1849. London. 8vo.—From
the same.

Address of the Most Noble, the Marquis of Northampton, the Presi-
dent: Read at the General Meeting of the Royal Society, on
Tuesday, June 9, 1848. 8vo.—From the same.

Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory

115

at Bombay, April—December, 1845, and printed by the Honour-
able East India Company, under the superintendence of Arthur
Bradford Orlebar, A.M. Professor of Astronomy and Mathema-
tics, Lincoln College, Oxford. Bombay, 1846. 4to.—From the
same.

Meteorological Observations, Madras, 1841 to 1845, inclusive. Ma-
dras. 4to.—F'rom the same.

Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh, by the late Thomas Henderson, F.R.S.L. & E., &e. Re-
duced and edited by his successor, Charles Piazzi Smyth, F.R.S.
E., &c. Vol. VIII. for 1842. Edinburgh, 1849. 4to.—/rom
the Observatory.

Barometrographia: Twenty years’ variation of the Barometer in the
climate of Britain, exhibited in antographic curves, with the at-
tendant winds and weather; and copious notes illustrative of the
subject. By Luke Howard, Esq. F.R.S. London, 1847. Folio.
From tie Author.

On the Barometrical Variation as affected by the Moon’s declination.
By Luke Howard, Esq. F.R.S. (From the Philosophical Transac-
tions; Part 4 for 1846.) London, 1846. 4to.—From the same.

Elements of Electro-Biology, or the Voltaic Mechanism of Man ;—of
Electro-Pathology, especially of the Nervous System ;—and of
Electro-Therapeutics. By Alfred Smee, F.R.S., &c. &c. Lon-
don, 1849. 8vo.—From the Author.

Directions for the use of a small Apparatus to be employed with a
Ship’s Standard Compass, for the purpose of ascertaining, at any
time, whether at Sea or in Harbour, the changing part of the de-
viation in the point of the Compass, occasioned by the Ship’s
Tron; or that part of the deviation which is usually different in
different parts of the Globe. By Lieut. Col. Sabine, R.A. Lon-
don, 1849. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

Results of Observations made at the Magnetical Observatory of Dub-
lin, during the years 1840-43. First Series. Magnetic Declina-
tion. By the Rev. Humphrey Lloyd, D.D., President of the
Royal Irish Academy, F.R.S., &c. &c. (From the Transactions
of the Royal Irish Academy; Vol. XXII. Part 1.) Dublin, 1849.
Ato.—From the Author.

On the Mean Results of Observations. By the Rev. Humphrey
Lloyd, D.D., President R. I. A., F.R.S., &c. &c. (Transactions
of R. I. A. Vol. XXII. Part 1.) Dublin, 1849. 4to.—From

the same.

116

An Account of a Method of determining the total Intensity of the
Earth’s Magnetic Force, in absolute measure. By the same.
(Proceedings of Royal Irish Academy, January 24, 1848.) 8vo.
From the same.

On the Corrections required in the Measurement of the Magnetic
Declination. By the same. (Proceedings of R. 1. A.) 8vo.—
From the same.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Botany,
and Geology. Second Series. Vol. IV. No. 22. October,
1849. London. 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Baronet.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche
Gewassen: door Jan Kops, Hoogleeraar te Utrecht, &c. &c. en
J. E. Van der Trappen, Med. Doct. Nos. 152 to 158, inclusive;
with Title Page and Index to Vol. X. Amsterdam, 1849. 4to.
From H. M. the King of the Netherlands.

Contributions to Conchology. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, (8vo.); and Mono-
graph of Stoastoma, a new Genus of Operculated Land Shells.
(4to.). By C. B. Adams, A.M. Professor of Zoology, &c. in
Amherst College, Mass. Amherst, 1849.—From the Author.

On Entophyta in Living Animals: New Species of Entozoa: and on
Glandule Odoriferee. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. (Extracted from
the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila-
delphia, October, 1849.) 8vo.—From the Author.

Selections from the Correspondence of the Executive of New Jersey,
from 1776 to 1786. Published by order of the Legislature.
Newark, N. J. 1848. 8vo.—From the New Jersey Historical
Society.

The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil: J. S. Skinner, Editor. Vol.
I. July, 1848, to July, 1849; and Vol. I. Nos. 1 to 6, July to
December, 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor.

The African Repository and Celonial Journal. Vol. XXV. No.
12. December, 1849. Washington. 8vo.—From the Ameri-
can Colonization Society.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVI. Part 5,
for the Sessions 1848, 1849: and Vol. XIX. Part 1, containing
the Makerstoun Magnetical and Meteorological Observations for
1845 and 1846. Edinburgh, 1849. 4to.—From the Royal
Society of Edinburgh.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vel. II. Nos. 32,
33, 34. Edinburgh, 1848-9. 8vo.—From the same.

i17

On motion of Mr. Ord, Dr. C. W. Short was appointed to
prepare a necrological notice of the late Wm. Short.

Mr. Thomas Gilpin made some remarks upon the alleged
influence of the moon upon the weather.

He did not mean to differ from Doctor Herschell as to the want of
lunar influence upon the weather, but he thought if there was any, it
was attributable to the change of her declination, and not to the effect
of light, or to the change of her phases, however various and os-
tensible.

The condition of our atmosphere and seasons is effected by solar
influence and the change of the sun’s declination from the summer
to the winter solstice, which being 47 degrees, takes a period of 183
days.

The influence of the moon on the land of the globe is scarcely ac-
knowledged; but on the water of the globe it is far more powerful than
that of the sun, and the change of declination of the moon is 10 degrees
more than that of the sun, say 57 degrees, all of which is accom-
plished by her moving through one-half of one lunation, or in the
short time of 14 days.

During the winter months, the new moon is always with the sun
at its greatest southern declination at the tropic of capricorn, and her
latitude, or declination, is about 28 degrees; but she has to pass in
14 days to be a full moon in the tropic of cancer, at a latitude or de-
clination of 28 degrees north; in all about 57 degrees.

Near the equator, or the middle of this ascending path, she passes
at the rapid rate of 7 to 8 degrees of declination per day, and the re-
verse of this in her descending path, from north to south, at the last
half of her lunation with corresponding but contrary positions, during
the summer circuit.

If the moon were to have any influence over our atmosphere in
this rapid and mighty range, it would be to draw alternately a south
atmosphere to the north, and a north atmosphere to the south, to
moderate the cold of the winters, and the heat of the summers alter-
nately in both hemispheres. But what effect the moon has upon the
aerial volume in this respect has not yet been attended to.

These remarks are induced by the presentation of Mr. Luke How-
ard’s papers to night, in which his observations show that the de-
clination of the moon from north to south produces an effect on the
barometer, which he has recorded in two positions in England, daily,
during twenty years; the laborious and elegant tables of which,

118

now before us, include all these lunar variations during more than
the Metonic period of 6940 days.

Mr. Luke Howard says in his summary—“It is to be inferred
from these, that the barometrical mean is depressed by the moon’s
position in south declination—the depression is gradual—but upon
the planet quitting her south position to return north, an elevation in-
dicates a return of the pressure to its former position.”

Prof. Frazer described an attempt which had been made by
Prof. J. C. Cresson and himself, to repeat Biot’s celebrated
experiments upon the transmission of sound through iron
pipes.

The pipe upon which they experimented was a gas main just laid
in South street, from Broad to Ashton, and up Ashton, from South to
Lombard. It was 4800 feet long and 8 inches in diameter, and had
one turn, at right angles, at the corner of South and Ashton. This
turn was made by a piece of pipe with four branches—two of which
(the south and west) were plugged—the other two making the com-
munication.

As the pipe was laid in the ground, with a mass of moist earth
lying upon it, it was, perhaps, not to be expected that the vibrations
excited in the iron would be propagated to any great distance, but
the experimenters found, to their surprise, that even the heavy blows
of the sledge upon the inner part of the pipe were not communicated
through the air. They had provided themselves with hammers and
bells for the purpose of making the signals, but in consequence of
the very strong language used by M. Biot in describing his experi-
ments, they had not taken the precaution to provide pistols for ex-
plosions. It appears, that in the French experiments there were two
bends in the pipe, but at what angle is not mentioned in any account
which we have been able to obtain, (as it appears that the Memoires
de la Société d’Arceuil, in which the original account of the experi-
ments is contained, is not in any library in this city).

As it was necessary to connect the pipe under experiment with the
other mains without delay, it was not possible to pursue the experi-
ments any farther, but Profs. C. and F. hope to have, during the ap-
proaching summer, an opportunity of repeating them upon another
pipe, and under more favourable circumstances, so as to detect, if
possible, the cause of their present failure.

The annual report of the Publication Committee was pre-
sented by Mr. Lea.

119

The annual report of the Committee on Finance was pre-
sented by Mr. Lea.

The annual appropriations recommended by the Committee,
were adopted.

Pending nomination, No. 232, was read.

Stated Meeting, January 4.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The judges and clerks of the election held this day, reported
the appointment of the following officers:—

President.
Robert M. Patterson, M.D.

Vice- Presidents.

Franklin Bache, M.D.
Alexander Dallas Bache, LL.D.
Hon. John K. Kane.

Secretaries.
Robley Dunglison, M.D.
Prof. John F. Frazer,
Charles B. Trego,
Prof. E. Otis Kendall.

Members of the Council for Three Years.
Robert Hare, M.D.
William Hembel,
Charles D. Meigs, M. D.
Henry Vethake,
George M. Justice,

For one year, in place of Mr. W. Short, deceased.

Curators.
Franklin Peale,
John Price Wetherill,
John C. Cresson.

Treasurer.

Benjamin W. Richards.

120
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XXII. Part 1.
Dublin, 1849. 4to.—From the Academy.

Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Vols. I. III. and Parts
1 & 2 of Vol. IV. Dublin, 1849. 8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XVIII. No. 6.
Dec. 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—rom the Institute.

On the Diurnal Variations in the Declination of the Magnetic Needle,
and in the Intensities of the Horizontal and Vertical Magnetic
Forces. By William A. Norton, Prof. of Math. & Nat. Phil. in
Delaware College. (Extract from American Journal of Science
and Arts. Vol. VIII. Second Series. 1849.)—From the Author.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XXXVII. New
Series. January, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaac
Hays, Editor.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
25. January, 1850. New Haven. 8vo.—F rom Profs. Silli-
man and Dana, Editors.

Report on the Finances of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for
the year ending November 1, 1849; made to the Governor by
the Auditor-General, agreeably to law. Harrisburg, 1849. 8vo.
From Benjamin Matthias, Esq.

Relacion Historica del Viage a la America Meridional, hecho del
Orden de S. Mag. para medir algunos grados de Meridiano Ter-
restre, y venir por ellos en conocimiento de la verdadera Figura
y Magnitud de la Tierra, con otras varias Observaciones Astro-
nomicas y Phisicas. Por Don Jorge Juan, y Don Antonio de
Ulloa. Madrid, 1748. 4 Vols. 4to.—From Professor J. F.
Frazer.

Observaciones Astronomicas y Phisicas, hechas de orden de S. M.
en los Reynos del Peru. Por Don Jorge Juan, y Don Antonio
de Ulloa: De los quales se deduce la Figura y Magnitud de la
Tierra, y se aplica a la Navegacion. Madrid, 1773. 4to.—
From the same.

Prof. Frazer called the attention of the Society to an in-
teresting paper by Prof. James D. Dana, “On the Denudation
of the Pacific,’’ published in the last number of the American
Journal of Science and Arts. This gave rise to a discussion

121

‘by Prof. Frazer, Mr. Trego, Mr. Justice, and Dr. B. H. Coates,
on the subject of denudation, volcanic action, and of the geolo-
gical phenomena as connected with certain irregular conforma-
tions of the earth’s surface in various parts of the globe, also in
reference to the apparent features of the surface of the moon.

Pending nomination, No. 232, and new nomination, No.
233, were read.

Stated Meeting, January 18.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read:—

From the Geological Society of London, dated Sth Novem-
ber, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of No. 42, Vol. V. of
the Proceedings of the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XVII. London,
1849. 4to.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VIIL.,
from November, 1847, to June, 1848. London. 8vo.—From
the same.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 20. Nov. 1, 1849.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. [V. No. 3.
1849. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. V.
No. 1. May, 1849. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.
Vol. V. No.1. January, 1850. 8vo.-—From the Philadelphia
Prison Society.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. No. 1.
January, 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colo-
nization Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Second Series. Vol. IV. Nos. 23 & 24.

VOL. V.—R

122

Nov. and Dec. 1849. London. 8vo.—From Sir William Jar-
dine, Baronet.

The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge, for the year of our Lord, 1850. London. 8vo.—
From Petty Vaughan, Esq.

Notice sur le Crioceras Voronzovii de Sperk. Par G. Fischer de

Waldheim. Moscow, 1849: 4to.—From the Author.

Annali di Fisica dell Abbate Francesco Cav. Zantedeschi, Professore
di Fisica nell J. R. Universita di Padova. Fascicolo 1. Padova,
1849-50. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. II. No.7. January,
1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No 85. January,
1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

Mr. Trego announced the death of the Rev. Dr. Samuel
Miller, of Princeton, a member of this Society. He died at
Princeton, on Monday, the 7th inst., in the 81st year of his age.

Mr. Justice presented, for the inspection of members, a mass
of marine matter, containing a Spanish silver dollar, incrusted
about a cannon-bal!, taken from the wreck of the San Pedro,
wrecked on the Spanish main some forty years ago.

Mr. Charles B. Trego was appointed Librarian for the en-
suing year.

The following named gentlemen were appointed on the
Standing Committees of the Society :—

Committee of Finance.—Dr. Patterson, Chairman, Mr.
Lea, Mr. Wagner.

Committee on the Hall.—Judge Kane, Chairman, Mr.
Fraley, Mr. F. Peale.

Committee on the Library.—Dr. Isaac Hays, Chairman,
Mr. G. Campbell, Mr. Ord.

Committee on Publication.—Mr. Lea, Chairman, Dr.
Hays, Mr. Fisher.

The catalogue of the surviving members of the Society, was
read. The number on the list on the first instant, was 364; of
whom there are resident in the United States 252, and in
foreign countries 112.

There being no quorum present for the purpose, no election
for members was held.

123

Pending nominations, Nos. 232 and 233, were read.

The Librarian was directed to furnish to Amherst College
as perfect a copy of the Proceedings of this Society as can be
obtained from the unbound numbers.

Stated Meeting, February 1.
Present, fourteen members.
Jupce Kang, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Academy of History at Madrid, dated
Madrid, 4th August, 1849:—

From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, dated
Boston and Cambridge, Mass.. 29th January, 1850; announc-
ing the transmission of donations to this Society :—

From Wm. H. Prescot, dated Boston, 22d January, 1850,
presenting to the Society, by the request, and in the name of,
Don Lucas Alaman, of Mexico, three volumes, by the last
named gentleman, on the History of Mexico: and—

From the Society of Antiquaries at London, dated Somer-
set House, 22d November, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of
Nos. 41 and 42, Vol. V. of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Executive Documents: Second Session of the Thirteenth Congress of
the United States, 1848-9. 7 vols. Svo. Washington.—From
the Department of State.

Journal of the Senate of the United States: 2d Session of the 30th
Congress; and Special Session, commencing March 5, 1849.
1 vol. 8vo.—From the same.

Documents printed by order of the Senate of the United States, dur-
ing the 2d Session of the 30th Congress. 1848-9. 4 vols. 8vo.—
From the same.

Miscellaneous Documents, printed by order of the Senate of the
United States during the 2d Session of the 30th Congress.
1848-9. 2 vols. 8vo.—From the same.

124

Reports of Committees, printed by order of the Senate of the United
States, during the 2d Session of the 80th Congress. 1848-9.
1 vol. 8vo.—From the same.

Public Documents, printed by order of the Senate of the Gael
States, during a Special Session, begun and held March 5, 1849.
1 vol. 8vo.— From the same.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States: Se-
cond Session of 30th Congress. 1848-9. 1 vol. 8vo.—From
the same.

Reports of Committees of the House of Representatives of the Uni-
ted States: 2d Session of 380th Congress. 1848-9. 2 vols.
8vo.—From the same.

Miscellaneous Documents, printed by order of the House of Repre-
sentatives, during the 2d Session of the 30th Congress. 1848-9.
1 vol. 8vo.—From the same. :

Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society: Annual meeting
at Antiquarian Hall, Worcester, Mass., Oct. 23, 1849. Cam-
bridge. 8vo.—From the Society.

Reports of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Conduct,
Discipline and Management of the Provincial Penitentiary of
Canada; with the Documents transinitted by the Commissioners.
Published by order of the Legislative Assembly. Montreal.
1849. 4to.—From the Commissioners.

Disertaciones sobre la Historia de la Republica Megicana, desde la
epoca de la Conquista que los Espaiioles hicieron a fines del siglo
XV. y principios del XVI. de las Islas y Continente Americano,
hasta la Independencia. Por D. Lucas Alaman. ‘Tomos 1 and
2. Megico, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.

Historia de Mejico desde los primeros movimientos que prepararon su
Independencia en el Afio de 1808, hasta la epoca presente. Por
D. Lucas Alaman. Parte Primera. Tomol. Mejico, 1849.
8vo.—From the same.

Passages from the Diary of Christopher Marshall, kept in Philadel-
phia and Lancaster during the American Revolution. Edited
by William Duane, Mem. Hist. Soc. Penna. Vol. [. 1774 to
1777. Philada. 1889, 1849. 8vo.—From Prof. J. F. Frazer.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XIX. No. 1.
January, 1850. Philada. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences: New Se-
ries. Vol. 1V. Part 1. Cambridge and Boston. 1849. 4to.—
From the Academy.

125

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil: Vol. Il. No. 8. Feb. 1850.
Philada. Svo.—From the Editor, J. S. Skinner, Esq.

Memoria Historica—Critica sobre el Gran Disco de Theodosio, en-
contrado en Almendralejo;—leida a la Real Academia de la
Historia, por su anticuario Don Antonio Delgado, en Ja junta or-
dinaria de 9 de Setiembre, de 1848. Madrid. 1849. 8vo.—
From the Royal Academy of History, Madrid.

William Penn and Thomas B. Macaulay: being brief Observations
on the Charges made in Mr. Macaulay’s History of England,
against the Character of William Penn. By W. E. Forster.
Revised for the American edition, by the Author. Philada. 1850.
8vo.—From Dr. Benjamin H. Coates.

Mr. Trego called the attention of the members of the Soci-
ety to the very interesting Memoir of Don Antonio Delgado,
upon the dise of the Emperor Theodosius, presented this even-
ing, from the Royal Academy of Madrid.

This memoir is in the Spanish language, and contains a very mi-
nute and interesting account of a curious relic of antiquity, which,
after having lain buried, as the author thinks, for fourteen centuries,
has been recently brought to light.

It was found near Almendralejo, a town in the province of Bada-
joz, situated four leagues south of Merida, and nine leagues from the
city of Badajoz, in Spain, not far from the frontier of Portugal. It
was discovered by a labourer who was clearing a piece of ground
for cultivation, and who, in digging, perceived that the instrument,
with which he was working, struck against some metallic body. Be-
ing disinterred, it proved to be a disc, or circular plate of silver, hav-
ing a diameter of thirty-two inches, and weighing five hundred and
thirty-three ounces and five-eighths. On one of its sides are repre-
sented a Roman emperor and other figures and emblems, in bas
relief, with an inscription around the border. Accompanying the
memoir is an engraved representation of this side of the disc, and
the memoir itself contains an elaborate and learned investigation of
the purport of the figures, emblems and inscriptions. Among other
important results of his examination, Senor Delgado arrives at the
following :

That this disc was constructed by order of the Emperor Theodo-
sius the Great, on the day of the celebration of his quindecennalia,
the 19th of January, in the year 393 of the Christian era.

That this public act took place, if not on the same day, within a

126

few days of the ceremony of conferring upon Honorius, the younger
son of Theodosius, the title of Augustus, and his consequent eleva-
tion to the imperial dignity by his father.

That also at this time Theodosius, with his sons Arcadius and Ho-
norius, were recognized in Lusitania as the only legitimate sove-
reigns, after the death of Valentinian the younger, and that the
authority of Eugenius, the tyrant, was not recognised in this pro-
vince, as some have believed.

That the disc contains a representation of the act of delivering to
the magistrate of a province the book or code of precepts for the dis-
charge of his duty, which had to be certified in the act of the quin-
decennalia, because this had reference to the continuance in office or
delegation of the imperial authority, in like manner as the emperors
prorogued or conferred anew the power of command in the provinces
to their delegates.

That this disc was made at Constantinople, then the seat of em-
pire, and is a clypeus, such as the emperors were accustomed to or-
der, to be used at the time their inauguration was proclaimed, bearing
their image, and in order that the magistrates might use them in their
public acts; elevating these insignia before them, and displaying them
while sitting in judgment on their tribunals.

The writer of the memoir considers the discovery of this disc as
being important in a historical point of view, inasmuch as it appears
to correct and fix the chronology of certain acts, and establishes facts
hitherto considered as obscure. At the same time it shows, well pre-
served and in exact detail, the costume worn by the emperors in these
public solemnities, as well as those used by their domestics and at-
tendants, and the form of the imperial images transmitted to the
provinces, to be displayed before the magistrates in discharging the
duties of their office. It also gives an idea of the condition of the
arts in the time of Theodosius, and of the transition of the Greco-
Roman style to the Byzantine.

This valuable relic now belongs to the Royal Academy of History,
at Madrid; the learned antiquary of the Academy, Don Antonio
Delgado, being the author of the memoir.

Mr. Trego announced the death of the Hon. John Reed, a
member of this Society, who died at Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
on Saturday, the 19th day of January, 1850, in the 64th year
of his age.

Mr. Trego stated, that he had recently had occasion to exa-

127

mine an ancient manuscript volume, the original letter-book of
James Steel, Receiver-General under Thomas and Richard
Penn, Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, in which he found some
interesting information concerning the celebrated “ Indian
walk,”’ performed in 1737, by which the extent and northern
boundary of a former purchase of land from the Indians were
determined.

Mr. Trego said that among the several deeds given by the Indians
for the purchase of land from them in Pennsylvania, by William
Penn and his agents, was one dated July 15, 1682, procured at a
treaty held with the Indians by William Markham, Penn’s deputy-
governor, a short time before the arrival of Penn himself in the colony.
This deed sets forth that certain Indian chiefs, for themselves and their
people, grant to William Penn the land on the Delaware river, ex-
tending from a white oak near the Gray-stones, (the rocks on the
bank of the river opposite to the falls at Trenton), up the said river
side to a corner marked spruce tree; and thence westward to the
creek called Neshamony, and along the said creek to the river Dela-
ware, alias Makerisk-kitton; and so bounded by the said river to the
said first-mentioned white oak, &c.

The next purchase of land on the Delaware above this tract, ap-
pears to have been by a deed alleged to have borne date August 28,
1686, though the deed itself is not to be found. It is, however, re-
ferred to, recognised in, and confirmed by the deed of 1737. The
limits of this purchase were defined as follows: “ Beginning upon a
line formerly laid out from a corner spruce-tree by the river Dela-
ware, (Makerisk-kitton), and from thence running along the ledge or
foot of the mountains west-south-west®* to a corner white-oak, marked
with the letter P. standing by an Indian path that leadeth to an In-
dian town called Playwickey ; and from thence extending westward
to Neshamony creek; from which said line the said tract or tracts

* Some copies read west-north-west ; but this is manifestly an error. A
west-north-west course from the spruce-tree would not run “ along the ledge
or foot of the mountains.’’ The ridges of high lands in that region extend
from the river in a west-south- west direction, and would be crossed by a west-
north-west line. Nor would this course lead towards the point which is uni-
versally admitted by written documents and traditionary accounts, as the
place from which the Indian walk commenced. John Watson, of Bucks
county, who was acquainted with the local topography of the neighbourhood,
in his account of this walk, written in 1815, gives the course west-south-west,
as taken from the original deed.

128

hereby granted, doth extend itself back into the woods as far as a
man can goin one day and an half; and bounded on the westerly
side by the creek called Neshamony, or the most westerly branch
thereof, as far as the said branch doth extend; and from thence by a
line (blank in the deed) to the utmost extent of the one day and
an half’s journey; and from thence (blank in the deed) to the
aforesaid river Delaware; and from thence down the several courses
of the said river to the said first mentioned sprnce-tree,” &c.

The spruce-tree referred to in both of these grants is said to have
stood on the river bank, 140 perches above the mouth of Baker’s,
now known as Knowles’ creek, and about 10 miles above the falls at
Trenton. The white-oak mentioned as a corner in the line from the
spruce-tree to Neshamony, according to traditionary account, was on
land now of Moses Hampton, about a mile north-eastward from the
Friends’ meeting-house at Wrightstown.

After the grant of August, 1686, numerous white settlers estab-
lished themselves on the lower part of the purchase; the settlements
gradually extended northward as far as Durham, in the upper part of
Bucks county, where a furnace was erected, and some of the scatter-
ing frontier establishments of the white people reached as far as to
the Lehigh hills. The country in the forks of the Delaware, be-
tween the Lehigh hills and the Blue mountain was then favourite
ground with the Indians, and was the chief place of abode for many
‘of them. Becoming uneasy at the near approach of the white settle-
ments they naturally desired to have a limit placed upon these en-
croachments, and accordingly a treaty was begun at Durham in
1734, which was continued at Pennsbury in May, 1785, and con-
cluded at Philadelphia, Aug. 25, 1787, at which the limits of the
tract, as described in the deed alleged to have been made for the pur-
chase in 1686, were confirmed, and at which it was agreed. that the
walk which was to determine the extent of the territory to the north-
ward should be performed. It seems to have been expected by the
Indians that this walk would not extend beyond the Lehigh hills,
about 40 miles from the place where it was to begin; nor would it
have reached beyond them, if performed after the manner in which
some similar measurements are said to have been made in the time of
William Penn,—the walkers proceeding leisurely, and sometimes sit-
ting down to eat, drink, and smoke their pipes. But those who suc-
ceeded William Penn were not governed by those principles of gene-
rosity and justice which ever characterized his intercourse with the

aboriginal proprietors of the soil, and which procured for him such

129

high regard and respect among them. ‘To their veneration and love
for him may justly be attributed the peace and harmony which, for
so many of the early years of the infant colony of Pennsylvania,
subsisted between his people and the Indians.

By the time when it was agreed that the walk of 17387 should be
performed, it had become an anxious object with the then proprietaries
of the province, to obtain possession of the land in the forks of the
Delaware, and even further up the river, so as to include the Mini-
sink land, a desirable tract along the river above the Blue mountain.
This could only be attained by extending the walk as far as possible
north-westward, and then running a line from its termination, by a
proper course, to the Delaware. In order to ascertain how far the
walk could be made to extend, it appears that an experimental essay,
or trial walk, was previously made, probably without the knowledge
of the Indians. From the severai accounts of the “ Indian walk,”
that have been written and published, it does not seem that the writers
on this subject have been aware that a trial, or experimental walk,
took place previous to the one appointed with the Indians, and at
which they attended.

The original letter-book of James Steel, Receiver-General under
Thomas Penn, contains some interesting evidence upon this subject.
To Timothy Smith, then Sheriff of Bucks county, Steel writes as fol-
lows, under date of 26th of 2d month (April), 1735: “The Proprie-
taries are impatient to know what progress is made in travelling over
the land that is to be settled in the ensuing treaty that is to be held
with the Indians at Pennsbury on the fifth day of the next month, and
therefore I now desire thee, without delay, to send down an account
of what has been done in that affair; and if any thing is omitted or
neglected which should have been pursued, the same may be yet
performed before the intended time of meeting the Indians :—Pray
fail not of doing every thing that was proposed to thyself and John
Chapman, at Philadelphia, that no disappointment may be the means
of a delay in the business of the treaty.”

Three days after this, he writes to John Chapman and Timothy
Smith: “The Proprietaries are very much concerned that so much
time hath been lost before you begun the work recommended so ear-
nestly to you at your leaving Philadelphia, and it being so very short
before the meeting at Pennsbury, the fifth of the next month, that
they now desire that upon the return of Joseph Doane, he, together
with two other persons who can travel well, should be immediately
sent on foot on the day and half journey, and two others on horse-

VOL. V.—s

130

back to carry necessary provision for them and to assist them in their
return home. The time is now so far spent that not one moment is
to be lost; and as soon as they have travelled the day and half jour-
ney, the Proprietaries desire that a messenger may be sent to give
them account, without any delay, how far that day and half travel-
ling will reach up the country. Pray use your utmost diligence, and
let nothing be wanting to be done on this important occasion, which
will give great satisfaction to the Proprietaries, who will generously
reward you, and those you employ, for your care and trouble.”

The matter was not, however, definitely settled at the meeting
with the Indians at Pennsbury; nor was it until the final treaty at
Philadelphia in August, 1737, that it was agreed that the land should
actually be measured out by the walk. Immediately after this, viz.,
on the 27th of 6th mo., (August), Steel writes as follows to Timothy
Smith: ‘The treaty which was begun at Durham, and afterwards
held at Pennsbury, is now finished at Philadelphia, and the time ap-
pointed for walking over the land. It is to be the twelfth day of
September next, and for that purpose our Proprietor would request
thee to speak to that man of the three which travelled and held out
the best when they walked over the land before, to attend that service
at the time mentioned, when Solomon Jennings is expected to join,
and travel the day and a half with him. Thou art also requested to
accompany them, and to provide such provisions for those men as
may be needful on the occasion desired:—John Chapman also to go
along and with you,—and be sure to cnoose the best ground and
shortest way that can be found. The Indians intend that two or three
of their young men shall be present, and see the land fairly walked
over.”

Though, as has been shown, the 12th of September, 1737, was the
day appointed for commencing the walk, it was postponed to the 19th,
as we learn by a letter from Steel to Solomon Jennings, one of the
men employed on the part of the Proprietary government to perform
the walk. In this letter Jennings is informed of the postponement,
for the reason that the day first appointed would occur during the
term for holding the Supreme Court and Court of Quarter Sessions
for Bucks county, which rendered it inconvenient for the Sheriff and
some other persons appointed, to attend the walk on that day.

The place agreed upon as the point at which the walk was to com-
mence, was a chestnut-tree standing near the present site of Wrights-
town meeting-house, on or near the line from the corner white-oak
marked P. to Neshamony creek, mentioned in the deeds above re-

isl

ferred to as the boundary of the original purchase. The precise
place at which this line struck the Neshamony does not seem to be
clearly known; but is supposed to have been near the * high rocks,”
below the bridge on the present turnpike-road from Richborough to
Pineville. A line from the corner white-oak to this point would pass
very near to the meeting-house at Wrightstown, and we may hence
suppose the chestnut-tree was selected as being on, or very near that
line. This, however, is not ‘ westward” from the white-oak, but
south-westward, and if the line did actually reach the Neshamony at
the place mentioned, as it appears to have done, it affords another
example of great neglect of accuracy in tracing the limits of the
early purchases of land in Pennsylvania.

The persons employed on the part of the Proprietaries to perform
the walk were Edward Marshall, James Yeates and Solomon Jen-
nings; and these were accompanied during the first day by some of
the Indians. Mr. Watson, in his account of the walk (Hazard’s Re-
gister of Pennsylvania, Vol. VI. p. 209) says that many of the cir-
cumstances relating to it were obtained by him from Moses Marshall,
a son of one of the men appointed to perform it. At sun-rise they
started from the chestnut-tree already mentioned, many persons hav-
ing assembled there, a number of whom, on horseback, accompanied
the walkers, carrying refreshments for them. The men employed
are said to have been famous for their ability as fast walkers, and
they were to have a compensation of five pounds in money and five
hundred acres of land. ‘They walked moderately at first; but soon
quickened their march, so that the Indians frequently called to them
to walk and not to run; but these remonstances producing no effect,
most of the Indians left them in anger at such conduct, saying they
were cheated. An old Indian said “no sit down to smoke, no shoot
squirrel, but lun, lun, lun, all day long.”
Indian walkers gave out before the close of the first day, being una-
ble to keep up with the others; but Marshall, Yeates, and one Iadian
kept on, and arrived at sun-set on the north side of the Blue moun-
tain. At sun-rise next morning they started again; but when cross-
ing a stream at the foot of the mountain, Yeates became faint, and
fell. Marshall turned back and supported him until some of the at-
tendants came up, and then continued the walk by himself. At noon,
the hour when the walk was to terminate, he had reached a spur of
the Second, or Broad mountain, estimated to be eighty-six miles from
the point of starting at the chestnut-tree.

Having thus reached the furthest possible point to the north-west-

Jennings and two of the

132

ward, it now remained to draw a line from the end of the walk to the
river Delaware. The course of this line not being prescribed in the
deed of purchase, the agent of the Proprietaries, instead of running
by the nearest course to the river, ran north-eastward across the
country, so as to strike the Delaware near the mouth of the Lacka-
waxen, thus extending far up the river, taking in all the Minisink
territory, and many thousand acres more than if they had run by
the nearest course to the Delaware. In relation to this part of the
survey, we find, in Steel’s letter-book, the following passage in a
letter to Letitia Aubrey, the daughter of William Penn, dated No-
vember, 1737: ‘In September last the old Indian purchase was cir-
cumscribed according to the deed produced and proved at Pennsbury
when a treaty was held there in thy presence; and the Surveyor Ge-
neral and my nephew, who attended the people that walked over the
land, and afterwards continued their journey from the upper point or
end of the day and half walk to the river Delaware, which employed
them about four days, informed me at their return home, that after
they crossed the great ridge of mountains they saw very little good
or even tolerable land fit for settlements.”

Jt is well known that the Delaware Indians immediately saw and
complained of the manner in which these things were done, as a fraud
upon them; nor would they relinquish the land until compelled to do
so by the deputies of the Six Nations at the treaty of 1742. Ina
pamphlet written by Charles Thomson, and published at London in
1759, entitled “ An Enquiry into the Causes of the Alienation of the
Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British Interest, &c.,” the
proceedings at this walk are mentioned as one of the causes of the
hostile feelings on the part of the Indians, which eventually led to
war and bloodshed. This pamphlet contains the statements of Thomas
Furniss and Joseph Knowles, who were both present at the walk.
Furniss resided at Newtown, and was a near neighbour to Yeates,
one of the walkers. He says that when the men started he was a
little behind, but was informed they proceeded from a chestnut-tree,
near the turning out of the road from Durham road to John Chapman’s ;
that being on horseback, he overtook them before they reached Buck-
ingham, and kept company for some distance beyond the Blue moun-
tain, though not quite to the end of the journey. Some Indians at-
tended, whom he considered as deputies appointed by the Delaware
nation, to see the walk honestly performed. One of these repeatedly
expressed his dissatisfaction, and during the first day of the walk this
Indian said the walk was to have been made up the river. In the

133

afternoon of that day the Indians left them, having frequently called
to Marshall and forbid him to run. At parting they appeared dis-
satisfied, and said they would go no further, for, as they saw the
walkers would pass all the good land, they did not care how far or
where we went. ‘Timothy Smith, then sheriff of Bucks, held his
watch in his hand for some minutes before we stopped in the evening,
and called out to the walkers, telling the minutes behind the time,
and bid them pull up, which they did so briskly that immediately
upon his saying the time was out, Marshall clasped his arms aboui a
small tree to support himself, saying he was almost gone, and that if
he had proceeded a few rods further he must have fallen. Next
morning, he says, the Indians were sent to, to know if they would
accompany us any farther, but they declined it. Indeed the unfair-
ness practised in the walk, both in regard to the way where, and the
manner how, it was performed, and the dissatisfaction of the Indians
concerning it, were the common subjects of conversation in our neigh-
bourhood for some considerable time after it was done. Joseph
Knowles says, that at the time of the walk he lived with his uncle
Timothy Smith, and was present on the occasion to carry provisions,
liquors, &c. About sun rise they set out from John Chapman’s
corner, at Wrightstown, and travelled until about one o’clock of the
day, when the Indians began to look sullen, and murmured that the
men walked so fast,—calling out several times during the afternoon,
“* You run, that is not fair.—you was to walk.” ‘The men appointed
to walk paid no regard to the Indians; but were urged by Timothy
Smith, and the rest of the Proprietor’s party, to proceed until the sun
was down. We lodged in the woods that night. Next morning,
being dull rainy weather, we set out by the watches, and two of the
three Indians that walked the day before came and travelled with us
about two or three miles, and then left us, being very much dissatisfied,
and we proceeded by the watches until noon.

It appears, then, from the written statements of persons who were
present at the walk, as well as from various traditionary accounts of
the proceedings connected with it, that there was a studied intention,
and a preconcerted scheme on the part of the proprietary agents, to
extend the walk as far as possible in the most favourable direction ;
and that a line was drawn from its termination by such a course to
the river as should include within the limits of the survey, all the
desirable land in the forks of Delaware, and along the river, above
the Blue mountain. The extracts from Steel’s Letter Book prove
that a trial was previously made of the extent to which the walk

134

might be pushed; and the accounts of the manner in which the final
walk was performed show the spirit in which the stipulations of a
treaty, made in the days of the just, moderate and conscientious
founder of Pennsylvania, were carried out by the agents of his
successors.

Mr. Justice called the attention of the Society to several
printed papers recently found among the “ Franklin Manu-
scripts,’ one of which showed the antiquity of the bent-timber
felloe for wheels; another contained the announcement of a
new metallic alloy called “ argiroide;”’ and the third exhibited
the circular mode of barometric record, similar to that used by
Mr. Luke Howard.

The original commission of Benjamin Franklin, as colonel
of a regiment of militia, also found among the Franklin papers,
was laid upon the table by Mr. Trego, for the inspection of
members. The document is dated 24th February, 1756.

Pending nominations, Nos. 232 and 233, were read.

Stated Meeting, February 15.
Present, twelve members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read: —

From the Librarian of Amherst College, dated Amherst
College, 7th February, 1850, acknowledging the receipt of a
series of the “ Proceedings of the American Philosophical So-
ciety,” from the beginning, presented to the College by this
Society, and returning thanks for the donation.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society of London. No. VIII.
Jan. 1, 1850. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library of the State of
New York: made to the Legislature, Jan. 15, 1850. Albany.
8vo.—From the Trustees of the New York State Library.

135

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. I. Part 4. Philadelphia, 1850. 4to.—From the
Academy.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 2.
February, 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American
Colonization Soviety.

Three Lectures preliminary to a Course on the Principles and Prac-
tice of Surgery, delivered on the 4th, 8th and 9th of October,
1849, before the Medical Class of the University of Pennsylvania.
By William Gibson, M.D., L.L.D., Professor of Surgery, &c.
Philadelphia. 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

An Obituary Notice of Thomas T. Hewson, M.D. late President of
the Philadelphia College of Physicians. By Franklin Bache,
M.D. Read before the College, Nov. 6, 1849, and published by
its direction. Philadelphia, 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Introductory Lecture to the Course of Chemistry delivered in Jeffer-
son Medical College, Oct. 16, 1849. By Franklin Bache, M.D.
Published by order of the Class. Philadelphia, 1849. 8yvo.—
From the same.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 86. February,
1850. Philadelphia. Svo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

Contributions to Conchology. No. 4. By Prof. C. B. Adams. Am-
herst, Mass. 8yvo.—From the Author.

Professor Frazer brought to the attention of the Society, a
recent experiment of M. Verdet, of France, by which he has
experimentally shown the truth of Prof. Henry’s explanation
of the secondary inductive electric current; also an experi-
ment of Mr. Fizeau, by which the velocity of light may be
experimentally determined.

Mr. Justice inquired concerning the explanation of the lateral
shock, which gave rise to a discussion, in which Mr. Justice,
Mr. Trego, Dr. Elwyn, and Prof. Frazer participated.

The minutes of the last meeting of the officers and council,
were read.

Pending nominations, Nos. 232 and 233, and new nomina-
tions, 234, 235, 236 and 237, were read.

136

Stated Meeting, March 1.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Mr. Richard A. Tilghman, elected a member of the Society
in 1847, during his absence in Europe, having recently re-
turned to this city, was introduced to the President, and took
his seat.

Letters were read:—

From Prof. Zantedeschi, dated Padova, 25th December, 1849,
announcing the transmission of a donation to the Society:
and—

From the Royal Institution of Great Britain, dated Albe-
marle street, 29th December, 1849, acknowledging the receipt
of No. 43, of the Proceedings of this Society.

Prof. Frazer called the attention of the Society to the value
of the work presented by Professor Zantedeschi, entitled “ An-
nali di Fisica.”

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. 3éme Série. Tome XI. Paris,
1849. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.

Journal Asiatique. 4éme Série. Tome XIII. No. 65, et Tome
XIV. Nos. 66, 67 & 68. Juin a Octobre, 1849. Paris. 8vo.—
From the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Annali di Fisica dell’? Abbate Francesco Cavaliere Zantedeschi, Pro-
fessore, é&c. Fascicolo I]. Padova, 1849-50. 8yo.—From the
Author.

Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manu-
factures and Commerce. New Series. Vol. I. Parts 1 & 2.
London, 1847-9. 4to.—From the Society.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. 2d Series. Vol. V. No. 26. January,
1850. London. 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Baronet.

Report of the Select Committee of the Assembly of the State of New
York, appointed to investigate the matters connected with the

137

publication of the State Work on Natural History. Albany,
1850.—From the Trustees of the New York State Library.

Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia, from Nov. 6, 1849, to Jan. 15, 1850. Vol. IIl. No. 1.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the College of Physicians.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XIX. No. 2.
February, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.
Monograph of Vitrinella, a new genus of new species of ‘Turbinide.
By C. B. Adams, A.M. Amherst, Mass. 1850. 4to.—From

the Author.

Contributions to Conchology. No.5. By Prof. C. B. Adams, of
Amherst College, Mass. 8vo.—From the same.

Descriptions of two new species of Distoma, with the partial history
of one of them. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. Philadelphia. 4to.—
From the Author.

Report of the Select Committee of the Senate of Pennsylvania, in re-
lation to the Bridge across the Ohio river, at Wheeling, Virginia.
Harrisburg, 1850. 8vo.—From B. Matthias, Esq.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. Il. No. 9. March,
1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Editor.

Slavery and the Constitution: Both sides of the Question. By Francis
E. Brewster. Philadelphia, 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

‘Twenty-ninth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1848-9. Leeds.
8vo.—From the Society.

Mr. Trego announced the death of M. Roux de Rochelle,
of Paris, a member of this Society, who died at Paris in June
last.

Mr. Fraley gave a description to the Society of the progress
that had been made in the erection of buildings for the Smith-
sonian Institution, at Washington, which he has recently had
an opportunity of inspecting.

Pending nominations, Nos. 232 to 237, inclusive, were
read.

On motion of the Librarian, Mr. Vanderkemp was permitted
to take from the Library, for a few days, a manuscript work
entitled “Journal Historique concernant Uetablissement
des Francais & la Louisiane, §&c. Par M. Bénard de la
Harpe.”

On motion of Mr. Fraley, as complete a copy of the Trans-

VOL. V.—T

138

actions and Proceedings of this Society as can be furnished,
was directed to be sent to the Smithsonian Institution, at
Washington.

Stated Meeting, March 15.
Present, twelve members.
Dr. Parrrerson, President, in the Chair.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Boston Journal of Natural History; containing Papers and Com-
munications read before the Boston Society of Natural History.
Vol. VI. No.1. Boston, 1850. 8vo.—From the Boston So-
ciety of Natural History.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 3.
March, 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colo-
nization Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
IX. No. 26. March, 1850. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs.
Silliman and Pana, Editors.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 87. March, 1850.
Philadelphia. Svo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year 1849.
By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D. Physician to the Institution.
Published by order of the Board of Managers. Philadelphia,
1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Remarks on the Condition of the Marine Hospital Fund of the United
States; with suggestions for its improvement. By a Surgeon U.
S. Navy. Philadelphia, 1841. 8vo.—From Dr. W. S. W.
Ruschenberger.

An Examination into the Legality of the General Orders which con-
fer assimilated Rank on Officers of the Civil Branch of the U. 8.
Navy. ByaSurgeon. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo.—From the
same.

Fac-Simile of a Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall,
a Pennsylvania Farmer, April 22,1771. Philadeiphia, 1850.—
From Thomas Fisher.

The Destiny of Pittsburgh, and the Duty of her Young Men: an

139

Address delivered before the Young Men’s Mercantile Library
and Mechanics’ Institute of Pittsburgh. By Solomon W. Roberts,
Civil Engineer. February 8, 1850. Pittsburgh. 8vo.—From
the Author.

Report of the Committee of the Overseers of Harvard College, ap-
pointed to visit the Lawrence Scientific School, in 1849. Cam-
bridge, 1850. 8vo.—From an Anonymous Donor.

Professor Kendall reported the observations of the occulta-
tion of Jupiter and his Satellites, made on the 26th February,
1850, at the High School Observatory.

Mean Time.

Immerson of Jupiter’s I limb, - - 14" 19 0.96
2 ATIC n> Bot ae ROOF UaaNG
Emersion of the 3d Satellite, - - 15 15 26.68
“a Jupiter’s [ limb, = - 15) 1) A114
b heme Ui ey a Gu HOA
i 1st Satellite, z = 1 Qe Bao
a Athias * ss - - 15 34 7.21

Prof. K. referred to the striking difference between the brilliancy
of the moon and that of the planet. He was prepared to see a marked
difference, but the contrast at the moment of the contact. of the planet
with the moon’s bright limb, was much greater than he had an-
ticipated.

He reported further, that the expedition sent out to South
America by the government of the United States, to determine
the parallaxes of the planets Mars and Venus, had established
their observatory at Santiago, in Chili. The observations
were going on under most favourable circumstances. Similar
observations were made at Washington, officially connected
with those in South America.

Pending nominations, Nos. 232 to 237, and new nomina-
tion, 238, were read.

Wie i wed Perdn, ie 8

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Vou. V. APRIL—DECEMBER, 1850. No. 45.

Stated Meeting, April 5.
4
Present, seven members.

Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was read: —

From A. D. Bache, Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Sur-
vey, dated Coast Survey Office, Washington, February, 1850,
announcing the transmission of a donation to the Society, by
direction of the Treasury Department.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Annales des Mines. Quatri¢me Serie. ‘Tome XV. Livy. 1, 2, 3,
1849; et Tome XVI. Livr. 4, 1849. Paris, 1849. 8vo.—
From the Chief Engineer of ? Ecole des Mines.:

Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Serie. ‘Tome XIV. No. 69. Nov.,
Dec. 1849. Paris. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Memoires de la Sociéte des Sciences, de |’Agriculture et des Arts, de
Lille. Parties 1 & 2. 1847,1848. Lille. 8vo.—From the
Society.

Catalogue of the New York State Library, January 1, 1850. Al-
bany. Svo.—From the Trustees of the N. Y. State Library.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXVIII. New Series. April, 1850. Phila-
delphia. 8vo.—From the Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 88. April, 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

First Report of the Committee on Public Hygiene of the American
Medical Association. Read at the Annual Meeting, held in Bos-

VOL. V.—U

142

ton, May, 1849; with an Appendix, containing Sketches of the
Sanitary Condition of the Cities of Concord, Portland, New
York, Philadelphia, Boston, Lowell, Baltimore, Charleston, New
Orleans, Louisville and Cincinnati. (Extracted from the Trans-
actions of the American Medical Association, Vol. II.) Phila-
delphia, 1849. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaac Parrish.

The Sanitary Condition of Philadelphia. From the Report of the
Committee on Public Hygiene of the American Medical Associa-
tion. Read at the Annual Meeting in Boston, May, 1849, and
ordered to be published. By Isaac Parrish, M.D. Philadelphia,
1849. 8vo.—From the same.

Report of the Committee on the Comparative Health, Mortality,
Length of Sentences, &c. of White and Coloured Convicts. Read
before the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of
Public Prisons, November, 1849, and ordered to be published.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the same.

Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Institu-
tion for the Deaf and Dumb, for 1849. Philadelphia. 8vo.—
From James J. Barclay, Esq.

Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the Philadelphia Society
for the Establishment and Support of Charity Schools, &c.
January, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the same.

Maps of the U. S. Coast Survey: 1. Nantucket Harbour. 2. Hunt-
ington Bay. 38. Harbour of Captains’ Island, East and West.
4. Harbours of Sheffield Island and Cawkins’ Island. 5. Mouth
of Chester River.—From U. S. Treasury Department, Wash-
ington.

Annali di Fisica, dell’ Abbate Francesco Cav. Zantedeschi, Professore
di Fisica nell? I. R. Universita di Padova. Fascicolo III. Pa-
dova, 1849, 1850. 8vo.—From Professor Zantedeschi.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XIX. No.
3. March, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. II]. No. 10. April, 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq., Editor.

Prof. Kendall presented a communication for the Transac-
tions, entitled “On the Longitude of Hudson (Ohio) Observa-
tory, by Elias Loomis, Professor of Mathematics and Natural
Philosophy in the University of the City of New York;”
which, on motion, was referred to a Committee, consisting of

Profs. Kendall and Frazer, and Mr. Downes.

143

Pending nominations were read.

The Reporter laid upon the table No. 44, Vol. V. of the
Proceedings of the Society, from October, 1849, to March,
1850.

Mr. Trego read to the Society a paper from the Franklin
Manuscripts, under date of 26th March, 1778, enclosing a
piece of grayish metal proposed for coinage, as being impossi-
ble to be counterfeited.

Prof. Frazer was requested to have the specimen analyzed.

Stated Meeting, April 19.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read :—

From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Newark,
8th April, 1850; and from the Trustees of the New York
State Library, dated Albany, 8th April, 1850, acknowledging
the receipt of No. 44 of the Proceedings of this Society:
and—

Also, from Wm. B. Reed, Esq., accompanying a donation to
this Society, from the Lords of the British Treasury, through
the Hon. Geo. Bancroft.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Green-
wich, in the year 1847, under the direction of George Biddell
Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal. Published by order of the
Board of Admiralty. London, 1849. 4to.—From the Royal
Society of London.

Fauna Antiqua Sivalensis; being the Fossil Zoology of the Sewalik
Hills, in the North of India. By Hugh Falconer, M.D., F.R.S.
&c. and Proby T. Cautley, F.G.S. Letter press. Part I. 8vo.
and Illustrations, Parts J. to 1X. inclusive. Folio. London, 1845,
1849.—From the Lords of the British Treasury, through the
Hon. George Bancroft.

144

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. X. Nos.
1, 2, 3. Noy. 1849, to Jan. 1850. London. 8vo.—From the
Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 21. Feb. 1850.
London. 8yvo.—From the Society.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoolegy, Botany
and Geology. Vol. V. Nos. 26, 27. Feb. and March, 1850.
London. 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Baronet.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 4.
April, 1850.. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colont-
zation Society.

Hints on the Reorganization of the Navy, including an Examination
of the Claims of its Civil Officers to an Equality of Rights. By
W. S. W. Ruschenberger, M.D. New York, 1845. 8vo.—
From the Author.

Examination of “A Reply to Hints on the Reorganization of the
Navy.” By W.S. W. Ruschenberger, M.D. New York, 1845.
8vo.— From the same.

Diary of a Physician in California; being the results of actual ex-
perience; including Notes of the Journey by Land and Water,
and Observations on the Climate, Soil, Resources of the Country,
&c. By James L. Tyson, M.D. New York, 1850. 8vo.—
From the Author.

Notice of some Experiments in Heating and Ventilating Hospitals
and other Buildings by Steam and Hot Water; with Remarks.
By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D., Physician to the Pennsylvania
Hospital for the Insane. Philadelphia, 1850. 8vo.— From the
Author.

The Committee (Profs. Kendall and Frazer and Mr. Downes),
to which was referred Prof. Loomis’ paper “ On the Longitude
of Hudson (Ohio) Observatory’’ (see Proceedings of 5th April),
reported recommending its publication in the Transactions of
the Society, which was ordered accordingly.

The longitude of the observatory, as determined by 449
observations, is 5h. 25m. 41.3s.

There being not 2 quorum present for the election of candi-
dates for membership, the stated business of the meeting was
not transacted.

Pending nominations were read.

145

Stated Meeting, May 3.
Present, fourteen members.
Jupce Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Institute of Science, Belles-Lettres, and
Arts of the Netherlands, dated Amsterdam, 1849, acknowledg-
ing the receipt of the Transactions, Vol. X. Part 1, and Nos.
38, 39, 40 and 41, of the Proceedings of this Society :—

From the Zoological Society of London, dated Hanover
Square, 22d December, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of
the Proceedings of this Society, July, 1846, to Vol. V. No.
42 :—

From the Corporation of the University in Cambridge, Mass.,
dated Harvard College, Cambridge, 9th April, 1850, acknow-
ledging the receipt of No. 44 of the Proceedings of this So-
ciety: and—

From P. A. Browne, Esq., dated Philadelphia, 26th April,
1850, in relation to his microscopic examination of hair from
the heads of ancient Peruvians, and a comparison of these speci-
mens with the hair of our present Indians, from which he in-
fers that they all belong to the same species.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Vol. III. Parts
5, 6. London, 1848-9. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part XV. Nos.
178, 179, and Part XVI. Nos. 180 to 189, inclusive. London.
8vo.— From the same.

Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. 1V. Part 2.
Philadelphia, 1850. Svo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XIX. No. 4.
April, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche
Gewassen: door Jan Keps en J. EK. Van der Trappen, &c. 160
Aflevering. Amsterdam. 4to.—From H. M. the King of the
Netherlands.

146

Message from the Governor of Pennsylvania, transmitting the Re-
ports of the Joint Commissioners, and of Col. Graham, U. 8.
Engineers, in relation to the Boundary Lines between the States
of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Harrisburg, 1850.
8vo.—From B. Matthias, Esq., State Senator.

A corrected copy of the same.—From Col. Graham, U. S. En-
gineer.

Cryptocephalinarum Boreali-Americee diagnoses cum speciebus novis
Musei Lecontiani. Auctore S.S. Haldeman. (From Journal of
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. I. 1849.)
A4to.—From the Author.

Descriptions of North American Coleoptera, chiefly in the Cabinet of
J. L. Le Conte, M.D., with references to Described Species. By
S.S. Haldeman. 4to.—From the same.

A Description of several New and Interesting Animals. (Communi-
cated for the American Journal of Agriculture and Science.) By
S. 8. Haldeman, Prof. of Zoology in the Franklin Institute, Phi-
ladelphia. Albany, 1847. 8vo.— From the same.

On some Points in Linguistic Ethnology ; with Illustrations, chiefly
from the Aboriginal Languages of North America. By S. 8.
Haldeman, A. M.—Fvrom the same.

A Classification of Mankind by the Hair and Wool of their Heads ;
with an Answer to Dr. Prichard’s Assertion that ‘ the Covering
of the Head of the Negro is Hair, properly so termed, and not
Wool.” (Read before the American Ethnological Society, Nov.
3, 1849.) By P. A. Browne, L.L.D. Philadelphia, 1850. 8vo.—
From the Author.

A Lexicon of Terms used in Natural History ; prepared for Schools,
Colleges and Private Families. By W.S. W. Ruschenberger,
Surgeon U. 8. N., &c. Philadelphia, 1850. 8vo.— From the
Author.

State Trials of the United States during the Administrations of Wash-
ington and Adams; with References, Historical and Professional,
and Preliminary Notes on the Politics of the Times. By Francis
Wharton, Author of a Treatise on American Criminal Law, &c.
Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. Il. No. 11. May, 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, J. S. Skinner, Esq.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 89. May, 1850.

Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

147

Professor Frazer reported the analysis of the metal referred
to him at a former meeting (Sth April), as made by his assist-
ant, Mr. Mucklé, with the following result:

Copper, - - - 81.

Silver, - - - 15.87
Iron, - - - Eo
Antimony, - - - 94

Arsenic, a trace.

Pending nominations were read.

Stated Meeting, May 17.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Memorie della Reale Academia della Scienza di Torino. Serie
Seconda. Tomes V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. 1843, 1849. Torino.
Ato.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Turin.

Annual Report of the President of the Maryland Historical Society,
and of its Committee on the Gallery of the Fine Arts. Baltimore,
1850. 8vo.—From the Maryland Historical Society.

Transactions of the American Medical Association. Instituted 1847.
Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—From the Association.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 5.
May, 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XIX. No. 5.
May, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Report of the Select Committee of the Legislature of 1849, on the
Publication of the Natural History of the State of New York.
Made to the Legislature, January 2, 1850. Albany. 8vo.—
From the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

148

Third Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State
of New York, on the Condition of the State Cabinet of Natural
History, and the Historical and Antiquarian Collection annexed
thereto. Made to the Senate, January 11,1850. Albany. 8vo.—
From the same.

Annali di Fisica dell Abbate Francesco Cay. Zantedeschi, Professore
di Fisica, &c. Fascicolo TV. Padova, 1849-50. Svo.—From
Prof. Zantedeschi.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 27.
May, 1850. New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors, Profs.
Silliman and Dana.

Report to the Smithsonian Institution on the History of the Discovery
of Neptune. By Benjamin Apthorp Gould, Jr. Washington,
1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Collection of the Laws of Patent Privileges of all the Countries of
Europe, the United States of North America, and the Dutch West
Indies. Published by Charles F. Loosey, Civil Engineer, &c.
in Vienna. 1849. 8vo.—From the Publisher.

Washington’s Farewell Address to the People of the United States of
America. New York, 1850. 4to.—From James Lenox, Esq.
of New York.

Professor Tucker read a paper on the probable effects of the
gold mines of California, deduced from the depreciation of the
precious metals caused by the discovery of America.

Of the history of their depreciation our knowledge is not indeed
either precise or quite authentic, but enough is known to lead us to
conclusions that approach the truth.

Professor T. stated, that in 1492, when America was discovered,
the quantity of gold and silver in Europe has been commonly esti-
mated at about 300 millions of dollars. According to Baron Hum-
boldt, whose authority is most to be relied on, the accession from the
American mines was, in one century (the 16th), 605 millions; in the
17th century the whole amount was 2342 millions; and in little more
than another century (to 1803) it reached 5337 millions. If we add
to this the amount imported from Africa, the amounts drawn from the
mines of Europe and Siberia, and from the American mines since
1803, the total will be 8063 millions. Deducting from this amount
what has been sent to India and China, what has been lost, consumed
by wear or in manufactures, and there would remain 4663 millions
for the whole amount in Europe and America, of which about one-
third in value and one forty-sixth in quantity was supposed to be gold.

149

In 1775, Adam Smith attempted to ascertain the depreciation
of the precious metals from a comparison of the average prices of
wheat in England at different periods, and he inferred that there was
no very sensible depreciation before 1570; but from this period to
about 1640, that gold had depreciated to a third, and silver to a fourth
of its former value; and that there either had been no subsequent de-
preciation to his time, or that st/ver had somewhat risen in value.

If these views of Dr. Smith be correct, we ought not to expect any
depreciation of both the metals until the quantity now in Europe shall
have received an accession of 54 per cent. which, amounting to 2528
millions, would require a net annual addition of 50 millions for 50
years, or of 100 millions for 25 years. And as the amount now in
Europe and America is about fifteen times its amount before the dis-
covery of America, we should not experience the same depreciation
as was produced by that discovery, until the quantity now in exist-
ence had, in like manner, received a fifteen fold increase, that is, had
reached the incredible sum of 70,000 millions.

It indeed appears highly probable, from various facts, that Smith
has underrated the depreciation in the first 70 years before 1560, and
overated it in the 70 years succeeding. Yet, after making ample al-
lowance for these errors, the result will not be materially different.

There seems then to be no ground to apprehend a depreciation of
both metals, and a consequent general and permanent rise of money
prices. But not so with gold. The extraordinary additions lately
made to that metal by the Russian mines, and yet more by those of
California, and which are still greatly on the increase, must neces-
sarily depreciate that metal. ‘The quantity drawn from all those
mines during the present year will, judging from the amount already
received, be not less than 60 millions, which is nearly five times as
much as was produced by the American mines at the period of their
greatest productiveness. It is nearly 4 per cent. on the supposed
amount of gold in Europe and America; while the annual increase
of gold from the American mines, during the period of depreciation,
never exceeded 3 per cent. Great as is the amount now yielded, it
may in a year or two be more than doubled.

The probable effects of this enormous increase are—

1. An alteration between the price of gold and silver. From 16
for 1, as is now the proportion, gold may fall to what it was in many
countries before the discovery of America, to 10 for 1, or yet lower,
before the natural checks of a decreased production and increased con-
sumption restore the equilibrium.

VOL. V.—x

150

2. In those countries in which gold continues to be a legal tender,
the depreciation will injure creditors and benefit debtors in contracts
of a long duration. And this result can be prevented only by mak-
ing silver a legal tender. Experience has shown that gold will not
cease to circulate at its market value when it is no longer a legal
tender.

3. Those countries in which there is a gold currency must lose in
proportion to the amount of such currency and the extent of the de-
preciation.

4. By the attraction of its gold mines the settlement of California
will be rapid beyond all example.

5. Its commerce with China, where labour is as cheap as it is dear
in California, and the precious metals are as dear as they are cheap
in California, will have the greatest possible encouragement.

6. Gold, in consequence of its mines being chiefly wrought by Ame-
rican citizens, will be cheaper in the United States than in other
countries, and it may therefore be made to take the place of small
bank notes.

7. The banks, by means of the large deposits of gold received by
them, will be enabled to increase their loans and accommodations,
which is but too likely to lead to a distention of the currency, and
a wild spirit of speculation. If this evil is avoided,

8. The gradual enlargement of the circulation will have its usual

effect of giving a spring to useful enterprise and productive industry.
’

Prof. Frazer announced, as an interesting geological and
mineralogical fact, the discovery of gold in the vicinity of
Bloomington, Indiana. He read a letter from the Rev. Prof.
T. A. Wylie, giving an account of the gold-washings, and of
the region in which the gold occurs. ‘The specimens exhibited
by Prof. Frazer were gold in association with particles of mag-
netic oxide of iron, titanite and garnet.

The Clerk read the proceedings of the Board of Officers and
Council at their meeting on the 10th inst.

Pending nominations were read.

151

Stated Meeling, June 21.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Society of London, dated Somerset House,
20th March, 1850, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 42 and
43, of the Proceedings of this Society :—

From the Royal Society of Gottingen, dated Gottingen, 4th
March, 1850, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IX. Part 3,
and Vol. X. Part 1, of the Transactions, and of Nos. 35 to 42,
inclusive, of the Proceedings of this Society :—

From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin, dated Ber-
lin, 11th August, 1849, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X.
Part 1, of the Transactions, and Nos. 38 to 42, of the Proceed-
ings of this Society :—

From the same, dated Berlin, 15th September, 1850, an-
nouncing the transmission of a donation to this Society from
the Academy :—

From the Cambridge Philosophical Society, dated Cam-
bridge, February, 1850, announcing that the Society has sent
as a donation, Vol. VIII. of their Transactions: and—

From the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford, 1st
June, 1850, acknowledging the receipt of the several numbers
of the Proceedings of this Society, published from January,
1849, to March, 1850.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
year 1849. Part Il. London, 1849. 4to.—From the Royal
Society.

List of the Council and Fellows of the Royal Society, Nov. 30, 1849.
London. 4to.—From the same.

Address of the Right Honourable the Earl of Rosse, &c. &c. the
President; read at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal So-
ciety, on Friday, Nov. 30, 1849. London, 1850. 8vo.—From
the same.

152

Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, in the year 1847, under the direction of
George Biddell Airy, Esq. Astronomer Royal. London, 1849.
A4to.— From the same.

Appendix to Greenwich Observations; being a Catalogue of 2156
Stars, formed from the Observations made during twelve years,
from 1836 to 1847, at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Lon-
don, 1849. 4to.—From the same.

Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. Vol. VIII. in
5 Parts. Cambridge, 1844 to 1849. 4to.—From the Society.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XIX.
Part 2. London, 1849. 8vo.—From the Society.

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XVIII. 1848-9.
London. 4to.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. IX.
1848-9. 8vo.—From the same.

Reports of the Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic So-
ciety of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1848. Leeds, 1849.
8vo.—From the Society.

Twenty-eighth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1847-8. Leeds.
&vo.—From the Society.

Nachrichten von der George Augusts Universitat, und der Kéniglich
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Gottingen, vom jahr 1849.
Nos. 1 to 14, inclusive. Géttingen. 8vo.—From the Royal
Society of Science, Gottingen.

Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin, aus dem Jahre 1847. Berlin, 1849. 4to.—From the
Royal Academy of Sciences, Berlin.

Verzeichniss der Abhandlungen der Konig]. Acad. der Wissenschaf-
ten zu Berlin, aus den Jahren 1822 bis 1846. Berlin, 1848.
8vo.—From the same.

Monatsbericht der Kéniglichen Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften
zu Berlin. July to Dec. 1848, and Jan. to June, 1849. Berlin.
8vo-—From the same.

The Artizan. Vol. VIII. No. 4. April 1, 1850. London. 4to.—
From the Editor.

Review of the Report of the late Commissioners for Investigating the
Affairs of the Joint Companies, and of the Operations of the Ma-
nagers of those Companies. By a Citizen of Burlington. Phila-
delphia, 1850. 8vo.—From Henry C. Carey, Esq.

153

Report to the Corporation of Brown University, on Changes in the
System of Collegiate Education. Read March 28, 1850. Pro-
vidence. 8vo.—From an Unknown Donor.

Report to the Smithsonian Institution on the History of the Discovery
of Neptune. By Benj. Apthorp Gould, Jr. Washington, 1850.
S8vo.—From the Smithsonian Institution.

The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Vol. V. Nos. 28, 29. April and May,
1850. London. 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Baronet.

Catalogue of the Skulls of Man and the Inferior Animals, in the Col-
lection of Samuel George Morton, M.D., &c. &c. 3d Edition.
Philadelphia, 1849. 8vo.—From Dr. S. G. Morton.

Contributions to Conchology. No.7. By Prof. C. B. Adams. New
York, 1850. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 6.
June, 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. XIX. No. 6. June, 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—F vom the Institute.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. II. No. 12. June,
1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq., Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 90. June, 1850.
Philadelphia, 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.

Mr. B. W. Richards announced the death of Wm. Vaughan,
of London, a member of this Society, who died at London, on
the 5th May, 1850, in the 98th year of his age.

Mr. Trego announced the death of M. Ducrotay de Blain-
ville, of Paris, a member of this Society, who died in May last,
in the 73d year of his age.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the death of Dr. Samuel Bet-
ton, of Germantown, a member of this Society, who died on
the 9th inst. in the 65th year of his age.

On motion of Dr. Bache, Mr. Petty Vaughan, of London,
was requested to prepare a biographical notice of the late Mr.
Wm. Vaughan.

Mr. Lea exhibited to the Society some specimens of Unios
taken by him in the little Miami River, near Cincinnati, Ohio.
They are remarkable for their very great size. The largest of
them, a specimen of U. Multiplicatus, weighs 2 lbs. 93 oz.

Pending nominations were read.

154

Stated Meeting, July 19.
Present, ten members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was received and read:—

From the Geographical Society of Paris, dated Paris, 10th
March, 1850, announcing the transmission of a donation to the
Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. X. No. 6.
April 12, 1850. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Appendix 2 to Vol. II.
Containing an Ephemeris of the Planet Neptune, for the year
1850. By Sears C. Walker, Esq. Washington. 4to.—From
the Smithsonian Institution.

Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XXII. Part 2.
Dublin, 1850. 4to.—F'rom the Academy.

Sixty-third Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York: made to the Legislature, March 1, 1850.
Albany. 8vo.—From the Regents of the University of the State
of New York.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 7.
July, 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XX. No. 1.
July, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Professors
Silliman and Dana. Second Series. No. 28. July, 1850. New
Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors.

Bulletin de la Société de Geographie. ‘Troisiéme Serie. ‘Tome XII.
Paris, 1849. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.

Crystallized Gold from California. By Francis Alger, Boston. New
Haven, 1850. 8vo.— From the Author.

Contributions to Conchology. No. 6. By Prof. C. B. Adams, of Am-
herst College, Mass. Amherst, 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Report of Professor John Locke, of Cincinnati, Ohio, of the Inven-

155

tion and Construction of his Electro-Chronograph for the Na-
tional Observatory, in pursuance of an Act of Congress, approved
March 3, 1849. Cincinnati, 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Reply to a Pamphlet on the subject of * Assimilated Rank,” referred
to in a Memorial submitted to the Secretary by sundry Line Of-
ficers of the Navy, dated March, 1850. 8vo.—From Dr. Rusch-
enberger, U. S. N.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. New Series. No.
39. July, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, Dr.

Isaac Hays.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 91. July, 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. II. No.1. July, 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq., Editor.

Plan of the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations, to be held in
London, 1851; with the Central Committee for the United States.
Washington, 1850. 8vo.—From J. C. G. Kennedy, Esq.

Mr. Trego announced the death of R. Eglesfield Griffith,
M.D. of Philadelphia, a member of this Society, who died 27th
June, in the 53d year of his age.

Mr. Trego also announced the death of Dr. Philip Tidyman,
of Charleston, S. C., a member of this Society, who died at
Aberdeen, Scotland, on 11th June, aged 73.

Mr. Trego also announced the death of Mr. John Green
Crosse, M.D. of Norwich, England, a member of this Society,
who died 9th June last.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, Dr. Hays was requested to pre-
pare an obituary notice of Dr. Griffith.

On motion of Mr. Trego, Mr. Ord was requested to pre-
pare an obituary notice of Dr. Tidyman.

Their being no sufficient quorum present, the stated busi-
ness of the meeting, the election of new members, was not pro-
ceeded with.

Pending nominations were read.

156

Stated Meeting, August 16.
Present, five members.
Mr. G. M. Justice was called to the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. X. No. 7.
May 10,1850. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the year 1848. Vol. IX. Also, Vol. VI. for 1845, (which
had not been previously received). London. 8vo.—From the
Radcliffe Trustees.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. V. No. 1.
Newark, N. J., May, 1850. 8vo.—From the New Jersey His-
torical Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XX. No. 2.
August, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXVI. No. 8.
Aug. 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

The Progress of the Development of the Law of Storms, and of the
Variable Winds, with the Practical Application of the Subject to
Navigation. By Lieut. Col. William Reid, C.B., F.R.S. of the
Corps of Royal Engineers. London, 1849. 8vo.—From the
Author.

The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, Theoretical and Practical. By
Prof. James C. Booth, assisted by Campbell Morfit. Nos. 14 to
20, inclusive. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Prof. J. C. Booth.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 92. Aug. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. III. No. 2. Aug. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, J. S. Skinner, Esq.

The minutes of the Board of Officers and Council at their
last meeting were read.

The pending nominations were read.

On motion of Mr. Trego, it was agreed to permit the portrait
of Rittenhouse belonging to the Society to be loaned to Dr.

157

Patterson, for the purpose of having a copy taken for the cabi-
net of the U.S. Mint, of which institution Dr. Rittenhouse was
for some years the director. The said loan to be subject to
such conditions as may be thought proper by the Curators of
the Society.

Stated Meeting, September 20.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read: —

From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset
House, 6th June, 1850; and from the Royal Geographical So-
ciety of London, dated Waterloo Place, 20th July, 1850, re-
spectively acknowledging the receipt of No. 44, of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society :—

From B. A. Gould, Jr., dated Cambridge, 7th September,
1850, announcing the presentation, through him, of a donation
from Prof. Schumacher, of Altona, to this Society: and —

From F. Le Play, Inspector of the Ecole des Mines, dated
Paris, August, 1850, in relation to certain numbers of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society, which have not been received at the
Ecole des Mines; also announcing a donation to the Society.

The following donations were announced: —

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XX.
Part 1. London, 1850. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Vol. XX. Part 2. London, 1850. 8vo.—From the Society.
List of the Members, Officers, &c. of the Royal Institution of Great

Britain, with the Report of the Visitors, for the year 1849. Lon-
don, 1850. 8vo.—From the Institution.
Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Nos. 22
and 23. London, 1850. 8vo.—From the Society.
Report of the Nineteenth Meeting of the British Association for the
VOL. v.—¥Y

158

Advancement of Science; held at Birmingham, tn September,
1849. London, 1850. 8vo.— From the British Association.

Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome XVI. 5 and 6 livrai-
sons de 1849. Paris. 8vo.— From the Ecole des Mines.

Mémoire sur la Constitution Mineralogique et Chimique des Roches
des Vosges. Recherches sur l’Euphotide. Recherches sur le
Porphyre Quartzifére. Sur le Porphyre Amygdaloide d’Oberstein.
Sur le Pouvoir Magnetique des Roches. Par M. A. Delesse, In-
genieur des Mines, &c. 5 Pamphlets. 8vo. Paris.x—From the
Author.

Denkmiler aus AZgypten und AXthiopien, nach den Zeichnungen der
von Seiner Majestit dem Kénige von Preussen, Friedrich Wil-
helm IV. nach diesen landern gesendeten, und in den jahren
1842, 1845, ausgefiihrten wissenschaftlichen Expedition auf be-
fehl seiner Majest:t. Herausgegeben und erlautert von R. Lep-
sius. Berlin, 1849. 4to.—From Prof. Lepsius.

Erganzungs-Heft zu den Astronomischen Nachrichten. Vom Her-
ausgeber. Altona, 1849. 4to.—From Prof. Schumacher, the
Editor.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology, Bo-
tany and Geology. Vol. V. No. 30. June, 1850. London.
8vo.—From Sir W. Jardine, Baronet.

Archeologia Americana. ‘Transactions and Collections of the Ame-
rican Antiquarian Society. Vol. III. Part 1. Cambridge, Mass.
1850. 8vo.—From the Society.

The Origin and Growth of Civil Liberty in Maryland. A Discourse
delivered by George William Brown, before the Maryland His-
torical Society, Baltimore, April 12, 1850, being the Fifth An-
nual Address to that Association. Baltimore, 1850. Svo.— From
the Maryland Historical Society. .

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
29. Sept. 1850. New Haven. 8vo.—f rom Profs. Silliman
and Dana, Editors.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XX. No. 3.
Sept. 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVI. No. 9. Sept. 1850. Wash-
ington. &8&vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 93. Sept. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea §& Blanchard.

~The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. 1II. No. 3. Sept. 1850.

Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq., Editor.

159

First Biennial Report on the Geology of Alabama. By M. Tuomey,
State Geologist, &c. Tuskaloosa, 1850. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

The Mormons. A Discourse delivered before the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania, March 26, 1850. By Thomas L. Kane. Phi-
ladelphia. 8vo.—From the Author.

A Reply to “ Hints” on the Reorganization of the Navy. February,
1845. 8vo.—From Dr. Ruschenberger, U.S. N.

A Brief History of an Existing Controversy on the Subject of Assi-
milated Rank in the Navy of the U.S. By W.S. W. R. Phi-
ladelphia, 1850.—From the same.

Exhibit of the Affairs of the Ohio and Pennsylvania Rail-road Com-
pany. Pittsburgh, July 1, 1850. 8vo.—From S. W. Roberts,
Esq., Chief Engineer.

Mr. Trego announced the death of Dr. Gerard Troost, a
member of this Society, who died at Nashville, Tennessee, on
the 14th August, 1850.

Dr. F. Bache announced the deaths—of Dr. Joseph Harts-
horne, of Philadelphia, a member of this Society. who died on
the 20th August, in the 71st year of his age—of Geo. Emlen,
of Philadelphia, a member of this Society, who died on the
27th August, in the 66th year of his age—and of Louis Phi-
lippe, ex-king of the French, a member of this Society, who
died at Clermont, England, 26th August, 1850, aged 76.

Judge Kane read a letter from his son, Dr. E. K. Kane, U.
S. N., Senior Surgeon of the American Arctic Expedition,
now engaged in searching for Sir John Franklin and his com-
pany. It is dated 20th June, 1850, in sight of the island of
Disko, coast of Greenland. The letter contains an interesting
review of facts and arguments on the possibility of rescuing
the missing explorers.

Sir John Franklin’s party, consisting of 138 persons, left the
Thames on the 26th of May, 1845, in two exploring vessels, attended
by a transport. Their general instructions were to proceed by Baf-
fin’s Bay, through Lancaster Sound, without stopping to examine any
openings to the northward or southward, but pushing on to the west-
ward, in latitude about 743°, till they should reach the longitude of
Cape Walker, in west longitude about 98°, and thence taking a di-
rect course for Behring’s straits. Should this be found impracticable,

160

the views of Sir John Franklin, as communicated to his friends, Sir
Edward Parry and Col. Sabine, were to pass into Wellington chan-
nel, a strait extending northward, in longitude 935°, and which was
described by Capt. Parry, in 1819, as a “broad opening, free from
ice, and as open and navigable as any part of the Atlantic.” The
two vessels of the expedition were last seen on the 26th of July, 1845,
in latitude 74° 48’, longitude 66° 13’, moored to an iceberg, awaiting
an opening through the pack ice into Lancaster sound; the transport
having left them shortly before that time, ‘ well, and sanguine” of
success.

Dr. Kane’s first inquiry is, could the party have subsisted up to
the present time?

The transport, he says, left them furnished with the estimated al-
lowance of provisions, stores, and fuel, for three years. This means,
according to the published report of the Navy Victualling Board, that
the party was abundantly supplied for four years, and could subsist
for a much longer time; Arctic expeditions being always fitted out on
a scale of exuberant liberality. Our own, for instance, says Dr.
Kane, which is provisioned by estimate for only two years and a
half, can carry on its operations for five without suffering from want.

Nor, he adds, must we undervalue the resources of a region rich
in animal life, it is true of a migratory and therefore capricious cha-
racter, but not the less to be depended on during a term of years.
Sir John Ross, an absentee of four winters, owed his support, in a
very great degree, to the hordes of migrating salmon. Rae, in his
late expedition, was almost entirely sustained by the chase. Franklin
himself lived for nearly a whole winter on resources equally precari-
ous. And Goodsir, in his little work on the upper Baffin’s bay re-
gion, describes the awk (alca alle) as coming from the north in such
stupendous quantities, as to “supply, in a few hours, the nutriment
of years.” In fact, Wrangell and Richardson, and hosts of others,
have pointed to these very latitudes, or those still further north, as
the sources of annual migration.

Dr. K. refers to the facility with which the Esquimaux construct
their snow-huts, and the abundance of oils they obtain for fuel from
marine mammalia and fishes, and to the known experience, pru-
dence, and aptitude of resource of Sir John Franklin, as negativing
the probability that the party can have sunk under the rigour of the
climate.

He next discusses the question, whether they can have been de-
stroyed by accident. He speaks of the manner in which navigation

161

among the ice is conducted by vessels that are in company ; carefully
avoiding, as far as practicable, a joint exposure to the same perils;
aiding each other in difficulties, and rescuing each others’ crews in
case of wreck; and he argues the double improbability of both ships
having encountered the same calamity at the same moment. But
even supposing this, he shows that the chances are great of their
crews escaping upon the ice, and reclaiming their stores from the
wreck afterwards: the Arctic ocean is rarely tempestuous; and
when it has been so, the loss of life has been small, in conse-
quence of this resort. In the great storm of 1880, which destroyed
more than thirty ships and maimed twelve others, their crews, num-
bering nearly a thousand souls, escaped temporarily upon the ice,
and reached succour at last with the loss of only six lives.

That Sir John Franklin has not been heard of since 1845, is
scarcely to be wondered at. The Arctic sea was unusually open in
the summer of that year, and has been closed since, until the present
seasen, by ice of unusual extent and density. It is a remarkable
fact, that of all the expeditions which have attempted the rescue of
his party, not a single one has succeeded in reaching either Cape
Walker, the first point indicated in his instructions, or Wellington chan-
nel, which he intended to explore. Of the three expeditions fitted out
in 1848, and since heard from; one, the Herald and Plover, entered
by Behring’s straits, penetrated to 178° west, and returned: another,
under Sir John Richardson, reached the Arctic sea by the Macken-
zie river, but failed to get further: and the third, under Sir James
Ross, the Enterprize and Endeavour, was beset by peculiar misfor-
tunes, and returned without attaining the first point of inquiry. Yet
Cape Walker and Wellington channel were both of them passed four
several times by Captain Parry, in earlier years, and they are almost
on the verge of the daily route of the Lancaster sound whalers.

When Jast seen, the party was not more than some 430 miles from
Cape Walker, and it had about six weeks of the summer before it.
If it was not destroyed before reaching that point, there are memo-
rials there of its progress and purposes, perhaps of its fate; for it is
the practice of all Arctic explorers, and one that was specially en-
joined on Capt. Franklin’s party, to mark their way by cairns and
signal poles, burying full memoranda at their bases; and these would
be imperishable in that region, and little liable to be disturbed.

The expeditions now afloat, are two noble vessels, on the Behring’s
straits side, with a permanent depot of provisions established for their
use at Kotzebue inlet; two steamers with their tenders, to follow the

162

various inlets of Lancaster sound; Capt. Penny, of the whaling ser-
vice, engaged by the British government, in the far northern passages
of Baffin’s bay; a private expedition, under the command of Sir John
Ross; and another to co-operate with him, which has been organized
under the immediate auspices of Lady Franklin. To these is now
added the American expedition, consisting of two brigantines, the
Advance and Rescue, fitted out by the munificence of a New York
merchant, Henry Grinnell, Esq., and oficered and manned by volun-
teers from the Navy of the United States.

Dr. Kane’s letter closes with inquiring into the probabilities of the
Franklin party being found by either of these expeditions. ‘Though
the field of exploration,” he says, “‘ seems vast at first view, reaching
from Cape Barrow, on the west, in longitude 155°, to Cape Clarence,
on the east, in west longitude 90°, and extending from those points
indefinitely north; yet the avenues by which it is to be approached
are few and narrowly limited. All the indications of the last four
seasons have been against the onward progress of the party to a con-
siderable distance, as they explain the impracticability of its return
after reaching any of the points to which it was destined. The colos-
sal masses of floating ice, which we have already met with, and their
immense number, show that the barriers to Arctic exploration have
once more given way. Where Franklin entered, others can now
follow for the first time; and 1 am myself convinced, that for some
one or other of these, there is yet in reserve the happiness of effecting
his rescue.”

Mr. Justice stated some observations recently made by him
on the existence and progress southward of the “ Wheat-
worm,’ which is supposed to have come originally from
Canada.

He mentioned the appearance of the worm in the white wheat, at
his farm on the river Delaware, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.
From observations made by him, he is induced to believe that grain
growing on heavy clay soils is most obnoxious to the attack of the
worm, as the grain does not harden as rapidly as in looser and
warmer soils. The worm appears to be engendered within the chaff
or outside covering of the grain, and its ravages are more decided,
while the grain continues in a milky state. ‘The head of wheat may
present ail the appearances of being full and heavy until near the
time of ripening, when, instead of a change of colour, from green to
yellow, indicating perfection, it remains of a dirty green, and inspec-

165

tion develops a withered and light grain. As many as three worms
were on one grain which he examined. ‘The colour of the insect is a
bright yellow, the intestinal canal distinctly visible through the trans-
parent covering as a dark line. ‘This has led some observers to the
conclusion, that it was marked with a brown stripe, but this is not
the case, the peristaltic motion of the canal being seen under the mi-
eroscope. ‘The variety of wheat known as “ Mediterranean,” grow-
ing in the same field, was free from the worm, which he attributed
to its hardening sooner than the white wheat.

Judge Kane corroborated the statement of Mr. Justice, that
the variety of wheat termed “ Mediterranean,’ appears to be
wholly or in a great measure exempt from the attacks of this
insect.

The pending nominations were read.

Stated Meeting, October 4.
Present, twelve members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Memoir on the Explosiveness of Nitre, with a view to elucidate its
agency in the tremendous explosion of July, 1845, in New York.
By Robert Hare, M.D. (Smithsonian Contributions.) Washing-
ton, 1849. 4to.—From the Author.

The Piough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. HI. No. 4. Oct. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, J. S. Skinner, Esq.

The proceedings of the Trustees of the University at Nash-
ville, Tennessee, on the announcement of the death of Dr.
Troost, Professor of Chemistry, Geology and Mineralogy, in
the University, were read.

Dr. Dunglison announced the death of Mr. Judah Dobson,
of Philadelphia, a member of this Society, who died on 26th
September last.

The pending nominations were read.

164

Stated Meeting, October 18.
Present, fifteen members.

Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read:—

From Edward Gaskill, dated Philadelphia, 10th October,
1850, proposing to sell to the Society a copy of the Natural
History of the State of New York.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY,»

Recherches sur les Organes de la Circulation, de la Digestion, et de
la Respiration des Animaux Infusoires. Par M. F. Pouchet, Prof.
de Zoologie au Museum d’Histoire Naturelle de Rouen, &c. &c.
(Comptes Rendus, Nov. 13, 1848, et Jan. 15, 1849.) Paris.
4to.—From the Author.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. 40. New
Series. Oct. 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaac Hays,
Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 94. Oct. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVI. No. 10. Oct. 1850. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—F rom the American Colonization Society.

FOR THE CABINET.

A Polygraph, or Writing Machine, formerly belonging to, and used
by Thomas Jefferson.—From N. P. Trist, Esq.

There being no sufficient quorum present, the stated busi-
ness of the evening, the election of new members, was not pro-
ceeded with.

A. brief account was given by Mr. Cresson of the accidental
falling of a part of a large Telescopic Gasholder at the City
Gas Works.

The accident occurred to the outer section which had just been
completed, and was at the moment being lowered into its place in the
tank ; it was suspended by six purchases of heavy pulley blocks and
falls, secured to the top of the section by twelve hooks of round iron,

165

14 inches in diameter, from the want of proper arrangement on the
part of the riggers for securing the regular and equal lowering at all
points of suspension, an excess of weight was thrown upon the hooks
on one side, by which one of them was broken, and almost at the
same instant all the hooks gave way, either breaking or bending
open, and the machine was allowed to fall about fifteen feet. The
weight of the falling mass was about 90,000 Ibs., but part of this,
about 28,000 lbs., was counterbalanced by twelve weights attached
to it by chains passing over pulleys. The gravitating force being
about 62,000 Ibs. acting upon a mass of 118,000 Ibs. ‘The damage
to the machine was inconsiderable, and no person received any in-
jury, although nearly a hundred men were at work around and within
it. The gasholder, of which this is part, is believed to be the largest
in the world; its diameter is 140 feet, height 70 feet, and capacity
over a million cubic feet.

The weight of iron used in its construction is 330,000 Ibs., chiefly
sheet and bar. The guide frame contains over a million pounds of
cast iron; it is composed of 144 columns arranged in twelve stands
or groups placed all around the tank; each group consists of four tiers
of columns and entablatures, the lower tier fashioned after the Tus-
can order, the second Doric, the third Ionic, and the upper Corinthian.
The cost of the entire structure, including the excavation and walling
of the tank, is about $85,000, which is about $40,000 less than the
cost of an equal quantity of gas store room in gasholders of the usual
capacity, say 200,000 cubic feet.

The pending nominations were read.

Stated Meeting, November 1.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Society of Edinburgh, dated Edinburgh,
20th December, 1848, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IX.
Part 3, of the Transactions, and No. 34, of the Proceedings of
this Society, and announcing a donation to the Society :—

From the same, dated Edinburgh Royal Society’s Apart-

VOL. V.—Z

166

ments, Ist July, 1848, announcing the donation to this So-
ciety of a medal bearing the effigy of Napier, of Merchiston,
the inventor of Logarithms: and—

From the Htat Major of the Corps of Mining Engineers of
Russia, dated St. Petersburg, 8th October, 1849, accompanying
a donation to this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
year 1850. Part 1. London. 4to.—From the Royal So-
cet.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Nos. 73, 74, 75. Lon-
don, 1850. 8vo.—From the same.

On the Means Adopted in the British Colonial Magnetic Observatories
for Determining the Absolute Values, Secular Change, and An-
nual Variation of the Terrestrial Magnetic Force. By Lieut.
Col. Sabine, R.A. For. Sec., F.R.S., &c. &c. London, 1850.
Ato.—From the Author.

On the Automatic Registration of Magnetometers and Meteorological
Instruments by Photography. No. 8. By Charles Brooke, M.B.
F.R.S. London, 1850. 4to.—From the Author.

Papers on Meteorology, relating especiaily to the Climate of Britain,
and to the Variations of the Barometer; Communicated to the
Royai Society at various periods, from 1821 to 1845. By Luke
Howard, Esq., F.R.S. London, 1850. 4to.—From the Au-
thor.

Essay on the Modifications of Clouds. By Luke Howard, F.R.S., &c.
London, 1832. 8vo.—From the same.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVI. Part 4,
for the Session 1847-8. Edinburgh. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. HI. Nos. 31,
32. Edinburgh, 1847-8. 8vo.—From the same.

Observations in Magnetism and Meteorology, made at Makerstoun in
Scotland, in the Observatory of Sir Thomas Makdougall Bris-
bane, Baronet, &c. &c., in 1844; forming Vol. XVIII. of the
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Edited by
John Allan Broun, Esq., Director of the Observatory. Edin-
burgh, 1848. 4to.—From the same.

Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh, by the late Thomas Henderson, F.R.S.L. and E., &c. &c.

167

Reduced and Edited by his successor, Charles Piazzi Smyth,
F.R.S.E., &c. &c. Vol. 1X. for 1843. Edinburgh, 1850. 4to.—
From the Observatory.

Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Ingénieurs des
Mines; ou Recueil d’Observations Météorologiques et Magnétiques
faites dans l’étendue de Empire de Russie, &c. Par A. T. Kupf-
fer, Directeur de Observatoire Physique Central. Année 1846.
Nos. 1 & 2. St. Petersbourg, 1849. 4to.—From the Etat
Major of the Corps of Mining Engineers of Russia.

Notice des Monuments Exposés dans la Salle des Antiquités Améri-
caines (Mexique et Perou) au Musée du Louvre. Par Adrien de
Longperier, Conservateur des Antiques. Paris, 1850. 8vo.—
From the Author.

Annali di Fisica dell’? Abbate Francesco Cay. Zantedeschi, Prof. di
Fisica nella IJ. R. Universita di Padova, &c. Fascicolo V. Pa-
dova, 1849-50. 8vo.—From Prof. Zantedeschi.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche Ge-
wassen; door Jan Kops en J. E. van der Trappen. Aflevering
161, 162,168. Amsterdam. 4to.—From H. M. the King of
the Netherlands.

Brasilien-Nachtrage, Berichtigungen und Zusatze zu den Beschrei-
bung meiner Reise in éstlichen Brasilien. Von Max, Prinz zu
Wied. Francfortam Main, 1850. 8vo.—Frem the Author.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. X. No. 8.
June 14, 1850. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Transactions of the American Medical Association. Instituted 1847.
Vol. HII. Philadelphia, 1850. Svo.—From the Association.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XX. No. 4.
Oct. 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. Ill. No. 5. Nov.
1850. Philadelphia. 8Svo.—From J. 8S. Skinner, Esq., Editor.

Characteristics of the Age. An Address delivered before the Lin-
nean Association of Pennsylvania College, at the Annual Com-
mencement, Sept. 18, 1850. By the Hon. William D. Kelley, of
Philadelphia. Gettysburg, 1850. 8vo.—From Prof. M. L.
Stoever.

FOR THE CABINET.

A Medal recently struck, bearing the effigy of Napier, of Merchiston,
the Inventor of Logarithms, taken from an authentic contemporary
picture.—From the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The pending nominations were read.

168

Stated Meeting, November 15.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read: —

From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester,
dated Society’s Rooms, George street, 16th October, 1850,
acknowledging the receipt of No. 44, of the Proceedings of
this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVi. No.11. Nov. 1850. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. VILL. No. 95. Nov. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

Prof. Cresson made some remarks upon the experiments of
Prof. Thompson, of which an account is given in a recent num-
ber of the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine,
and which Prof. T. believes to show that the temperature
of congelation of water and other bodies that expand at the
moment of solidification, is raised proportionally to the in-
crease of pressure to which they are subjected, the ratio of
temperature to pressure being for water 1-10th of a degree of
Faht. scale for 10 additional atmospheric pressures.

Mr. C. presented to the notice of the Society a speculation
into which he had been led on the subject, showing the effect
that such a law might produce in causing water to retain the
state of a solid at a very high temperature. For example, if
a continuous channel, admitting atmospheric communication,
should exist in the crust of the earth to the depth of seventy
miles, the pressure of the atmospheric column would exceed
fifteen million pounds on the square inch, and according to
Prof. T. water should remain solid at a temperature above
10,000° Faht., a heat far above that of molten iron.

The pending nominations were read.

169

The Clerk read the proceedings of the Board of Officers and
Council at a special meeting held this evening.

Mr. Peale laid upon the table for the inspection of members
of the Society, the Certificate of Membership of his father,
which bears date July, 1786, and is signed by B. Franklin, as
President.

Stated Meeting, December 6.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Danish Society of Sciences of Copenhagen,
dated 14th November, 1849, returning thanks for the Transac-
tions, Vol. IX. Part 3d, and Vol. X. Part 1, and for Nos. 38
to 42, of the Proceedings of this Society :—

From the same, of same date, announcing a donation: and—

From John M. Bernhisel, agent of the inhabitants of the
Territory of Utah, accompanying a printed circular, soliciting
donations of books for a library for the inhabitants of said
Territory.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Skrifter. Femte
Reekke. Naturvidenskabelig og Mathematisk Afdeling. Férste
Bind. Kidbenhavn, 1849. 4to.—From the Royal Danish So-
ciety of Sciences, Copenhagen.

Oversigt over det Kel. Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Forhand-
lingar, og dets Medlemmers Arbeider, i Aaret 1847, 1848. Ki-
ébenhavn, 1848-9. 8vo.—From the same.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. V. No. 2.
185U. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. II. Part 1. Philadelphia, Nov. 1850. 4to.—
From the Academy.

170

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
from Sept. 3 to Oct. 27, 1850. 8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XX. No. 5.
Nov. 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.— From the Institute.

Della Mnemotecnia, ovvero del modo di meravigliosamente facilitar
la Memoria mediante l’associazione delle idee. Dissertazione del
Prof. ‘Taddeo dei Consoni, Mnemonico, Stenografo, Criptografo,
&c. &c. Firenze, 1848. 8vo.—From the Author.

Contributions to the Natural History of the Acalephz of North Ame-
rica. By L. Agassiz. May, 1849. 4to.—From the Author.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. The Classification of In-
sects from Embryological data. By Prof. Louis Agassiz. Aug.
1849. 4Ato.—From ithe same.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
30. Nov. 1850. With an Index to the first ten volumes. New
Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silliman and Dana, Editors.

Code of Rules and Regulations for the government of those employed
in the care of the Patients of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the
Insane, near Philadelphia. Second Edition. Philadelphia, 1850.
8vo.—From the Author, Dr. Thomas S. Kirkbride.

Observations on the Fishes of Nova Scotia and Labrador, with De-
scriptions of New Species. By Horatio Robinson Storer. (From
the Boston Journal of Natural History, Oct. 1850). 8vo.—From
Charles Girard.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. III. No. 6. Dec. 1850.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, J. S. Skinner, Esq.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. VIII. No. 96. Dec. 1850.

Philadelphia. Svo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.

Mr. Justice submitted for the inspection of such of the mem-
bers as are interested in numismatics, a specimen of the rare
coin known as the Washington Half-dollar.

The history of this coin is not exactly known, but tradition states
that a few were struck and submitted to the government as samples,
when the project for establishing a mint was first entertained. Orders
were immediately issued for the cessation of the issue, and for break-
ing the dies. The coin bears the effigy of Washington, with the
legend, “G. Washington. President I. 1792.” On the reverse, an
eagle with spread wings, bearing the shield of the United States, with
the olive branch and arrows, its head surrounded by the 13 stars,
and the legend, ‘“‘ United States of America.”

171
Mr. Richards exhibited a piece of plumbago from the South-

ampton mine, Bucks county. The specimen was 123 inches
Jong, by # and @ inch thick, and was sawed from a much larger
piece, remarkable for its purity. Mr. R. stated that the plum-
bago of this mine had been found better for the purposes of
making crucibles, &c. than the imported article, on account of
its greater purity, but that, unfortunately, it was more expen-
sive owing to the depth of the mine and the difficulty of work-
ing it. Mr. R. gave a brief history of the mine.

A discussion in regard to the geology of the district arose,
in which Dr. Coates, Mr. Trego, and Prof. Frazer took part.

Mr. Justice made some remarks upon a recent statement as
to the beneficial effects of wire gauze in case of near-sighted-
ness, which led to a discussion, in which Dr. Coates, Dr. Hays,
and Prof. Cresson took part.

The Treasurer of the Society and the Committee on Publi-
cation made their annual Reports, which were referred as
usual.

Pending nominations were read.

There being no sufficient quorum present, the alterations of
the laws could not be considered.

Stated Meeting, December 20.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall, dated Vienna, 30th
April, 1850; and from Benjamin Ferris, dated Wilmington,
State of Delaware, respectively announcing donations to the
Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

The following works by the Baron Von Hammer Purgstall, of Vi-
enna :—
Abhandlung iiber die Siegel der Araber, Perser und Tiirken.

172

Bericht tiber die in letzten vier Jahren, 1845, 6, 7, 8, zu Constantino-
pel gedruckten und lithographirten Werke. In three Parts.
Bericht tiber Hrn. Reinauds franzdsiche Uebersetzung von Abulfedas

Geographie.

Ueber die Menschenclasse welchen von den Arabern ‘ Schoubije”
genannt wird.

Von der Inschriftverbramung der Kleider als Souverainitatsrecht der
Frauen in Morgenlande.

Bericht tiber Herrn Charri¢res Negociation de la France dans le
Levant.

Rede des Prasidenten der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften,
Freiherrn Von Hammer Purgstall, bei der feierlichen Eréffnung
derselben am 2 Februar, 1848.—From the Author.

Jahrbiicher der Literatur fir 1848. Vols. 121, 122, 123,124. Vi-
enna. 8vo.—From the Baron Von Hammer Purgstall.

A History of the Original Settlements on the Delaware, from its dis-
covery by Hudson to the Colonization under William Penn. To
which is added, an Account of the Ecclesiastical Affairs of the
Swedish Settlers, and a History of Wilmington, from its first
settlement to the present time. By Benjamin Ferris. Wilming-
ton, 1846. 8vo.

Sundry Pamphlets relating to the Seneca Indians in the State of
New York, entitled, as follows:—

The Case of the Seneca Indians illustrated by facts. Philadelphia,
1840. 8vo.

A Further Illustration of the Case of the Seneca Indians, &c. Phila-
delphia, 1841.

Proceedings of an Indian Council held at Buffalo creek, &c. Balti-
more, 1842.

Declaration of the Seneca Nation of Indians in General Council, &c-
Baltimore, 1845.

Report of the Proceedings at an Indian Council at Catarangus, N. Y.
Baltimore, 1846.

Proceedings of the Joint Committee appointed by the Society of
Friends, for Promoting the Civilization and Improving the Con-
dition of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Baltimore, 1847.

Further Proceedings of the Joint Committee for Promoting the Civili-
zation and Improving the Condition of the Seneca Nation of In-
dians, from the year 1847 to 1850. Baltimore, 1850.—From
Benjamin Ferris.

Report on the Expediency of Celebrating in future the Landing of

the Pilgrims on the twenty-first day of December, instead of the
twenty-second day of that month. By a Committee of the Pilgrim
Society. Boston, 1850. 8vo.—From N. B. Shurtlef, M.D.
The African Repository. Vol. XXVI. No. 12. December, 1850.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XX. No. 6.
December, 1850. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.
Descriptions of some American Annelida Abranchia. By Joseph
Leidy, M.D. (Journal Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia), 1850.
4to.—From the Author.
Contributions to Helminthology. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. (Proceed-
ings Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia), 1850. 8vo.—From the
same.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the death of Sir James
Wylie, of St. Petersburg, a member of this Society, on the 9th
October last (old style), aged 55.

Mr. Wagner presented the minutes of the Committee on
Finance, which embraced their former report.

They recommended the following appropriations for the
ensuing year, which were agreed to.

Proceedings, - - - - - $100
Binding, - - - - - - 50
Journals, - - - - - - 100
General account, = - - - 700
Hall, - - - - - - - 50

$1000

On motion of Dr. Dunglison, the Committee were authorized
to invest the trust and other funds in loans of the State, City,
or Districts, as they may think proper.

On motion of Judge Kane, the Society proceeded to the
consideration of the alterations of the laws proposed at the
meeting of 15th November, 1850; when the amendments pro-
posed by the Board of Officers were agreed to.

These amendments were as follows: —

First. Amend Chapter I. Section 1st, so as to read as fol-
lows:—

‘The election of new members shall be by ballot; and shall form
VOL. V.—2 A

174

part of the stated business for the meetings on the first Friday of
January, April, July and October, in each year.”

Second. Amend Chapter I. Section 4th, so as to read:—

“ Nor shall any elections be had at the meetings statedly appointed
therefor, unless there be present thereat at least twenty members
qualified to vote; and no person shall be deemed duly chosen at such
meetings, unless three-fouths of the qualified members present shall
have voted in his favour.”

Third. Add a new section in Chapter I., to be Section 5th,
as follows:—

“¢ But in case the number of twenty qualified voters shall not be
present at a meeting statedly appointed for elections, the election of a
candidate may, by one or more of the members who nominated him,
be publicly adjourned to the stated meeting next succeeding, which
adjournment shall thereupon be entered among the minutes; and if,
at such adjourned election, three-fourths (being at least 15) of the
qualified members present thereat, shall vote in favour of the candi-
date, he shall be deemed duly chosen.”

Fourth. Amend Chapter IX. Section 3d, by striking out
“ the election of members.”

Fifth. In Chapter VIII. Section 5th, after the words, “ he
shall give notice in the newspapers of the meetings of the Se-
ciety, and of the officers and council,” insert “and of all elec-
tions, whether stated or adjourned.”

The pending nominations, and new nomination, No. 241,
were read.

ay Mee Lui
ean

? ; TRONS ge Meany (174
PON er ncety cn? oe aae

A ASE AW ee vt

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

Vot. V. JANUARY—JULY, 1851. No. 46.

Stated Meeting, January 3.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Dr. Joseph Leidy, 2 newly elected member, was introduced
and took his seat.

The judges and clerks of the election held this day, reported
the election of the following officers: —

President.
Dr. Robert M. Patterson.

Vice- Presidents.
Dr. Franklin Bache,
Alexander D. Bache,
Hon. John K. Kane.

Secretaries.
Dr. Robley Dunglison,
John F. Frazer,
Charles B. Trego,
E. Otis Kendall.

Members of the Council for Three Years.
Clement C. Biddle,
George M. Justice,
Frederick Fraley,
Henry Reed.

Curators.
Franklin Peale,
John C. Cresson,
M. Fisher Longstreth.

Treasurer.

Benjamin W. Richards.
VOL. V.—2B

176

A letter was read from Lieut. Col. J. D. Graham, dated
Washington, 20th September, 1850, stating that his diploma
of membership in the American Philosophical Society, had
been destroyed by fire, and asking that the same might be re-
newed under the authority of the Society: whereupon the offi-
cers of the Society were authorized to give to Lieut. Col. Gra-
ham, an attested copy of his diploma of membership.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

The Documentary History of the State of New York. Arranged
under the direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary
of State. By E. B. O’Callaghan, M. D. Vol. I. Albany, 1850.
Ato.—From the Trustees of the New York State Library.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XI. No. 81. January, 1851. New Haven. 8vo.—From the
Editors, Professors Silliman and Dana.

Song of the Sea Shells, and other Poems. By Thomas Fisher. Phi-
ladelphia, 1850. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

The Silent Influence of the Bible: a Discourse delivered before the
Bible Society of Pennsylvania College and Theological Seminary,
Gettysburg, Pa. By Rev. Joseph Few Smith, Professor of Sa-
ered Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology, Auburn, N. Y. Gettys-
burg, 1851. 8vo.—From Professor M. L. Stoever.

A Collection of Pamphlets (32 in number) on various subjects by dif-
ferent authors.—From E. D. Ingraham, Esq.

Mr. M. Fisher Longstreth offered for the Transactions of
the Society, a memoir “On the Accuracy of the Tabular Longi-
tudes of the Moon, to be obtained by the construction of New
Lunar Tables:’’ which was on motion referred to a Committee,
consisting of Professors Kendall and Frazer and Mr. Downes.

Dr. Leidy offered for the transactions of the Society, a me-
moir “On the organization of the genus Gregarina of Du-
four:’? which was on motion referred to a Committee, consist-
ing of Dr. 8. G. Morton, Mr. Lea, and Dr. Hays.

Mr. J. C. Cresson called the attention of the Society to the
fluctuations of the barometer, which had recently occurred.
He had observed on the 23d of December, a fall of 0.8 inch in
the course of twelve hours. The day was very windy, and

Mr. C. endeavoured roughly to ascertain the velocity of the
wind by parachutes, and found it to be about sixty feet per
second.

Mr. Justice referred to the case related of a person, partially
drowned, in which the circumstances of the person’s life pass-
ed rapidly and vividly through his memory. Mr. J. had re-
cently met with a similar case, in which the patient, without
knowledge of the fermer incident, described the same effect as
having occurred to him.

Mr. Trego, for Mr. Du Bois, made the following statement
concerning a remarkably large specimen of gold from Califor-
nla:—

The largest lump of gold in quartz, which, as it is affirmed, has
yet been found in California, was brought to the Assay Office of the
Mint of the United States, a few days since, to be valued without
being destroyed. Mr. Eckfeldt, the principal assayer of the mint,
found its weight to be 265,20, ounces troy, the fineness of the gold
902 thousandths, the specific gravity of the lump 7.99. Assuming
2.6 as the average specific gravity of ferruginous quartz, and taking
the known specific gravity of gold of the above fineness, when alloy-
ed with silver, 17.93, it follows that the lump was composed of
209.48 oz. of pure gold, and 56.02 oz. stone: the consequent mint
value was $3906. The gold is reputed to have been found in dry
diggings, not far from Tuolumne river, by two Mexicans, belonging to
what is known in California as the “Sonorian Camp.” It is now in
the possession of Messrs. Ludlow, bullion brokers, in Third street,
where it may be seen.

There not being a sufficient quorum for the amendment of
the laws of the Society, the subject was necessarily postponed.

Pending nominations were read.

The following resolutions, offered by Mr. Justice, were read,
considered and agreed to: —

Resolved, That the sum of three hundred dollars be paid to the
Librarian, in addition to the amount provided for in the laws of the
Society, for his services during the present year; for which ex-
tra compensation, he shall continue to arrange and make complete
the catalogue of our library, now in progress; prepare and forward
the Proceedings to our correspondents, and generally to transact all

178

business which custom in addition to our laws has heretofore required,
and he may have rendered.

Resolved, That the increased labour required of our Librarian, in
consequence of the extensive correspondence of the Society, the re-
ceiving and transmitting of parcels, the daily attendance at the rooms
required by our members, to answer their demands for books, toge-
ther with the continually increasing applications for the use of manu-
scripts and other books by strangers and citizens, as well as other
services expected of him, not originally contemplated in his appoint-
ment as Librarian, render it needful to make some change in our
laws—therefore

Resolved, That the whole subject be committed to the Officers and
Council, with directions to report thereon at an early meeting of the
Society.

The Reporter laid before the meeting, No. 45 of the Pro-
ceedings of the Society.

Stated Meeling, January 17.
Present, twenty-seven members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:— —

From the Trustees of the State Library of New York, dated
Albany, January 15th, 1851:—

From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Ne
January 15, 1851: and—

From the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, dated Phila-
delphia, January 15th, 1851, respectively acknowledging the
receipt of No. 45 of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. X. No.1.
November 8, 1850. London 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, at Boston, May
29, and at Worcester, Oct. 23, 1850. Worcester. 8vo.—From
the Society.

179

Fourth Annual Report of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to
the Senate and House of Representatives, showing the operations,
expenditures and condition of the Institution during the year 1849.
Washington, 1850. 8vo.—Fvrom the Smithsonian Institution.

The Boston Journal of Natural History, containing Papers and Com-
munications read before the Boston Society of Natural History,
and published by their direction. Vol. VI. No. 2. Boston, 1850.
8vo.—From the Boston Society of Natural Mistory.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No.1. January, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Historia de Mejico, desde los primeros movimientos que prepararon
su Independencia en el ano de 1808, hasta la epoca presente.
Por Don Lucas Alaman. Tomo II. Mejico, 1850. 8vo.—From
the Author.

Letter to the Rev. John Bachman, D.D. on the question of Hybridity
in Animals, considered in reference to the Unity of the Human
Species. By Samuel George Morton, M. D. Philadelphia and
Edinburgh. Charleston, 1850. 8vo.—F'rom the Author.

Additional Observations on Hybridity in Animals, and on some col-
lateral subjects; being a Reply to the Objections of the Rev. John
Bachman, D.D. By Samuel George Morton, M.D. Charleston,
1850. 8vo.—From the same.

Contributions to Conchology, No. 8. By Prof. C. B. Adams, of Am-
herst College, Mass. New York, 1851. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. New Series. No. 41. January, 1851. Philadel-
phia. 8vo.—From the Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 97. January, 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. IH. No. 7. January,
1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq. Editor.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXI. No. 1.
January, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Committee, to whom was referred the memoir of Mr.
M. Fisher Longstreth, presented at the last meeting, reported
in favour of its publication in the Transactions of the Society,
which was ordered accordingly.

The Committee, to whom was referred the communication
of Dr. Leidy, presented atthe last meeting, reported in favour

180

of its publication in the Transactions of the Society, which was
ordered accordingly.

Mr. Trego announced the death of Count de Lasteyrie, of
Paris, a member of this Society, who died in October, 1849,
aged 88 years.

Dr. Leidy read a paper on Nematoidea imperfecta, supple-
mental to the paper presented by him at the last meeting, which
was referred to a Committee consisting of Mr. Lea, Dr. Hays,
and Dr. Ruschenberger.

On motion, Mr. Charles B. Trego was appointed Librarian
for the ensuing year.

The following named gentlemen were appointed on the
standing committees of the Society —

Of Finance—Mr. Lea (Chairman), Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fra-
ley.

On the Hall—Judge Kane (Chairman), Mr. F. Peale, Mr.
Justice.

On the Library-—Dr. Hays (Chairman), Mr. Campbell,
Mr. Ord.

Of Publication—-Mr. Lea (Chairman), Dr. Hays, Mr.
Fisher.

The catalogue of the surviving members of the Society was
read; from which it appeared, that the number on the list on
the 1st January, 1851, was 349, of whom there are resident in
the United States, 243, and in foreign countries, 106.

The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for
membership.

On motion, Chap I. Section 10, of the Laws of the. Society
was amended, so as to read as follows:

“Such members as reside within ten miles of the Hall of the So-
ciety, and such others as desire to vote at the meetings and elections,
shall pay an admission fee of ten dollars, and annually thereafter a
contribution of five dollars, from and after 31st December, 1851.”

The other business of the meeting having been concluded,
the ballot boxes were opened, and the following named gentle-
men were declared duly elected members of the Society :—

SrepuHEen CotweE Lt, of Philadelphia.

Joun H. Towne, do.

isl

Dr. Cuartes M. Werueritt, of Philadelphia.

Jort B. Reynoips, do.
Dr. Tuomas S. KirKsripDE, do.
Grorce M. Torren, do.

Don Lucas Ataman, of Mexico.
Brensamin Apruorp Goutp, of Cambridge, Mass.
Dr. JoserpH W. Farnum, of New York.

Stated Meeting, February 7.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Messrs. J. H. Towne and J. B. Reynolds, recently elected
members of the Society, were presented, and took their seats.

Letters were read:-~

From John H. Towne, dated Philadelphia, 20th January;
from B. A. Gould, Jr., dated Cambridge, 21st January; from
J. B. Reynolds, dated Philadelphia, 22d January; from Dr.
Charles M. Wetherill, dated Philadelphia, 27th January; from
Thomas S. Kirkbride, dated Pennsylvania Hospital for the In-
sane, Ist February; and from Stephen Colwell, dated Phila-
delphia, 6th February, 1851, severally acknowledging receipt
of notice of their election to membership in this Society :—

From the Corporation of the University of Cambridge,
Mass., dated Harvard College, 9th January, 1851; and from
the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford, 5th Febru-
ary, 1851, acknowledging the receipt of Proceedings of this
Society: and—

From B. A. Gould, Jr., dated Cambridge, 2d February,
1851, announcing the death of Prof. Schumacher, of Altona, a
member of this Society, who died at Altona on the 28th De-
cember last.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY,

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. ‘Troisiéme Série. Tome XIII.
Paris, 1850.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.

182

Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome XV. Paris, 1850. 8vo.
From the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Serie. Tome XVII. Livraisons 1,
2, 3, de 1850. Paris. 8vo.—From the Engineers of the Ecole
des Mines.

Mémoire sur la Constitution Minéralogique et Chimique des Roches
des Vosges. Sur le Pouvoir Magnétique des Roches Vitrifi€es.
Sur le Porphyre de Lessines et de Quenast (Belgique). Sur la
Variolite de la Durance. Par M. A. Delesse, Ingénieur des
Mines. (4 Pamphlets, 8vo.)—From the Author.

The History of the Boston Atheneum, with Biographical Notices of
its deceased Founders. By Josiah Quincy. Cambridge, Mass.,
1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

Report of the Select Committee of the Senate of Pennsylvania, in re-
lation to the Colonial Records of this Commonwealth. Harris-
burg, 1851. 8vo.—From Benjamin Matthias, Esq.

A Catalogue of the Shells, arranged according to the Lamarckian
System, contained in the Collection of John C. Jay, M.D. &c.
&c. Fourth Edition. New York, 1850. 4to.—From John C.
Jay, M.D.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 98. Feb. 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil. Vol. III. No. 8. Feb. 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, J. S. Skinner, Esq.
Morse’s Patent. Full Exposure of Dr. Charles T. Jackson’s Preten-
sions to the Invention of the American Electro-Magnetic Tele-

graph. 8vo.—From an anonymous Donor.

The Committee, to whom was referred Dr. Leidy’s paper
on Nematoidea imperfecta, reported, recommending its pub-
lication in the Transactions of the Society, which was ordered
accordingly.

Prof. Frazer announced the death of John James Audubon,
a member of this Society, on the 27th of January, 1851, aged
76 years.

On motion, Prot. Kendall was requested to prepare for the
Society a notice of the labours of Mr. Schumacher; and Dr.
Ruschenberger was requested to prepare a necrological notice
of Mr. Audubon.

On motion, the resolution of 19th April, 1850, ordering the

183

publication of Prof. Loomis’ paper on the Longitude of Hud-
son (Ohio) Observatory, was rescinded, in consequence of the
paper having already been published elsewhere by Prof. Loo-

mis.

Stated Meeting, February 21.
Present, twelve members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From Adolphus M. Hart, dated St. Louis, Missouri, 7th
February, 1851, offering for sale a number of specimens of
Colonial Paper Money: and—

From John Hill, Jr., M.D., dated Willimantic, Connecticut,
17th February, 1851, requesting to be furnished with a num-
ber of the Proceedings of the Society, and with a copy of its
Constitution and Laws.

The following donations were announced: —

FOR THE LIBRARY.

The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. VI. No. 24.
November, 1850. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. No. 2.
December 18, 1850. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXI. No. 2.
Feb. 1851. Philadelphia. Svo.—From the Institute.

An Introductory Lecture, delivered at the Opening of the Thirty-first
Session of the Medical College of Ohio, November 4, 1850. By
John Bell, M.D., Professor in the Institution. Cincinnati, 1850.
8vo.— From the Author.

A Folio Volume of the Works of James Petiver, F.R.S., containing
his Gazophylacitum Nature et Artis, and Museum Petiveriani ;
with numerous engravings of Animals, Fossils, and Vegetables.
Published in London, in parts or numbers, from the year 1695
to 1713. Bound, and lettered on the back, “The Gift of Sir
Hans Sloane, Baronet, to John Bartram, 1744.”—From Col.
Robert Carr.

VOL. v.—2Z ¢

[84

The Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes. Gathered by John
Gerarde, of London, Master in Chirurgerie. Imprinted at Lon-
don, by John Norton, 1597. Folio.—From Benjamin W. Rich-
ards, Esq.

Thirtieth Annual Report of the Board of Direction of the Mercantile
Library Association, Clinton Hall, New York, January, 1851.
New York. 8vo.—Donor unknown.

The minutes of the meeting of Officers and Council, held on
the 14th inst., were read.

New nominations, from Nos. 242 to 247, inclusive, were
read.

Stated Meeting, March 7.
Present, seven members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From M. le Vicomte de Santarem, dated Paris, 12th Octo-
ber, 1850, announcing a donation to the Society: and—

From the Trustees of the Boston Athenzeum, dated Boston,
9th January, 1851, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceed-
ings of this Society, No. 45.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part XVII. 1849;
and from January to April, 1850. ‘Together with the Reports of
the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society, read at the
Annual General Meeting, April 29, 1850. London. 8vo.—From
the Zoological Society of London.

Essai sur Histoire de la Cosmographie et de la Cartographie pendant
le moyen-age, et sur les Progrés de la Géographie aprés les
Grandes Decouvertes du XVe. siecle, &c. Par le Vicomte de
Santarem, des Académies des Sciences de Lisbonne, de Berlin,
de l’Institut de France, &c. &c. 2 Vols. 8vo. Paris, 1849.
From the Author.

185

Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library of the State of
New York. Made to the Legislature 10th February, 1851. Al-
bany. 8vo.—From the Trustees of the N. Y. State Library.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 32.
March, 1851. New Haven. 8vo.—From Professors Silliman
and Dana, Editors.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 2. February, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Soctety.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1X. No. 99. March, 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.

Analyses of the Ashes of certain Commercial Teas. By Prof. E. N.
Horsford, of Harvard University. (American Journal of Science
and Arts, March, 1851.)—From the Author.

Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the Year
1850. By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D., Physician to the Instt-
tution. Philadelphia, 1851. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

Pending nominations, from Nos. 242 to 247, and new nomi-
nations, Nos. 248 and 249, were read.

On motion, it was resolved that Dr. A. D. Bache, President
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science,
be a committee, on the part of this Society, to take measures
for procuring a testimonial on the part of the men of science of
America, to the labours and merits of the late Professor Schu-
macher.

Special Meeting, March 17.
Present, five members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

On motion—Aesolved, that it is expedient for this Society
to memorialize the State Legislature, praying for the exemp-
tion from taxation of the property of religious, charitable, lite-
rary, and scientific associations; whereupon, a memorial to this
effect was read, and ordered to be signed by the President and
Secretary, and sent to the Speakers of the Senate and House of
Representatives.

Stated Meeting, March 21.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was read: —

From Dr. A. Dallas Bache, Superintendent of the United
States Coast Survey, dated Washington, 27th December, 1850,
announcing the transmission of a donation to this Society, by
direction of the Treasury Department.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Astronomical and Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made
at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in the Year 1348, under
the Direction of George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer
Royal. Published by Order of the Board of Admiralty. Lon-
don, 1850. 4to.—From the Royal Society ef London.

Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory
at Hobarton, in Van Diemen Island, and by the Antarctic Naval
Expedition. Printed by Order of Her Majesty’s Government,
under the Superintendence of Lieut. Col. Edward Sabine, R. A.
Vol. I. commencing with 1841; with Abstracts of the Observa-
tions from 1841 to 1848, inclusive. London, 1850. 4to.—From
the British Government.

U. S. Coast Survey Maps: 1. Cat and Ship Islands: 2. Hyannis
Harbour: 3. Pasquotank River.—From the U. S. Treasury De-
partment.

Bibliotheca Firmiana, sive Thesaurus Librorum. 9 Vols. 4to. Me-
diolani, 1783.—F'rom Dr. L. Turnbuil.

The Quarterly Journal of the Chemica! Society. Vol. III. No. 12.
London, Jan. i, 1851. 8vo.—From the Society.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 3. March 1851. Wash-
ington. S8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

On the Velocity of the Galvanic Current in Telegraph Wires. By
B. A. Gould, Jr. (Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, Jan. 1851.) New
Haven. S8vo.—From the Author.

The Twenty-third Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the

[87

House of Refuge, with an Appendix. Philadelphia, 1851.—From
James J. Barclay, Esq.

The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil. Vol. III. No. 9. March,
1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq., Editor.

Mr. Lea made the following remarks on a communication
from Professor Agassiz to the Natural History Society of Bos-
ton:—

In the last number, just published, of the Proceedings of the Boston
Society of Natural History, Prof. Agassiz states that he had been en-
gaged in the study of the soft parts of the American fresh water Mol-
luscs, with the object of ‘discovering some new characters on which
to base an accurate classification.” He states that he had “ found,
that in addition to the two muscular impressions in the shell usually
described, there are generally two or more produced by muscular
fibres springing from the foot, which impressions, in some species,
are confluent, in others more or less distinct.”

The existence of these muscular fibres was communicated by me
to this Society in November, 1827, and published in Vol. III. page
263, of the Transactions, new series. The paragraph is as follows:
“There cannot be a doubt that the two pairs of muscles which sup-
port the feet, and serve by their alternate action to give the animal
locomotion, are entirely distinct from the great anterior and posterior
muscles, which seem but to serve the purpose of closing the valves
opened by the elasticity of the ligament. The cicatrices of the mus-
cles of the foot, anteriorly, are placed under the great anterior cica-
trix; posteriorly, over the great posterior cicatrix, and are sometimes
confluent with the great cicatrices, sometimes entirely distinct from
them.”

Again, Prof. Agassiz states that “other impressions exist, produced
by the gills, the palpi, and the dorsal gland.” ‘These were noticed
by me at the same time as ‘another set (dorsal) of attaching muscles
which seemed to have escaped attention.” They are mentioned by
me as “making impressions (cicatrices) in the cavity of the valve be-
neath the beak.” They are stated as ‘supporting the mantle, bran-
chi,” &c. In regard to the observation of Prof. Agassiz, that “these
impressions in some species are confluent, in others more or less dis-
tinct,” I was, when I first observed this anatomical structure, so
much impressed with its importance, that I used it in descriptions of
the species made known in that paper, and have, I believe, used it

18s

in every one of the several hundred new species since published by
me.

In a subsequent paper, which I read before this Society in March,
1829, and which the Society did me the favour to have published in
its Transactions, Vol. III., new series, page 414, is a paragraph on
“ Muscular Impressions.” I xnentioned their importance, and stated
that they “should always have our attention in examining a speci-
men.” And further, I stated that ‘it should be understood that the
animals of this family always possess two pairs of muscles, used for
locomotion, and placed near or in contact with the two adductor mus-
cles, used solely for closing the valves. In the anterior margin these
are generally separate; in the posterior, more generally confluent;
but in the same species we sometimes find individuals presenting two,
sometimes three, and sometimes four cicatrices, besides those of the
cavity of the beaks; and this depends, in a great measure, on the
thickness of the shell. If the species be ponderous, we often find the
posterior muscle of the foot attached to the inside of the lamellar
tooth, near to its termination; if it be thin, although of the same spe-
cies, it will be found generally confluent, or near to the great poste-
rior muscle. The cicatrices made by the superior part of the mantle
in ponderous shells, generally will be found on the under part of the
cardinal tooth. In thin shells these cicatrices will be found in the
cavity of the beaks, generally traversing it in an oblique direction.”
Again in a paper read May 7, 1830, Vol. IV. page 67, in a note on
Ayria avicularis, | mention having “discovered that the extensor
muscle of the foot is attached to the internal base of the cardinal
tooth, and there forms a remarkable cicatrix,” @&c. In a subsequent
paper, when describing Unio Browianus (a Hyria), I mention that
the “cicatrix of the extensor muscle is placed over that of the ante-
rior adductor muscle.”

As other “new characters,” Prof. Agassiz states, that ‘in some of
the Naiades, the posterior portion of the gills only is found to be dis-
tended with eggs at the breeding season; in others the whole gill is
so distended.” In a paper read to this Society in July, 1837, and
published in Vol. VI. of Transactions, page 48, new series, I men-
tioned, that ‘believing the oviducts would present to us the means of
discrimination in some of the species, having found them to be so
very different in the Unio irroratus, my attention had been particu-
larly addressed to these organs, in the few and small species of our
vicinity.” In this paper [ gave figures of four species, displaying the
position of the oviduets, two of them, the Unio ochraceus and the Unio

189

cartosus, having the posterior portion of them charged with eggs,
while the whole length of the branchie had oviducts charged in the
other two, the Anodonta fluviatilis and Anodonta undulata. In the
text, I stated that in species having certain distinctions, ‘‘the oviducts
will be found to be placed in the posterior portion of the branchie.”

In regard to the Anodonte, I stated that they were not, like the
Uniones, figured, with the posterior portion of the branchiz charged
with eggs, but that they presented ‘“‘an even mass from the anterior
to the posterior part.” Mentioning some specimens of Anodonta Fe-
russaciana being examined, | stated that “the whole lobe of the su-
perior branchie” were found “charged with ova.” The period of
gestation was considered by me as very important, and many obser-
vations were made, which may be found in my papers, particularly
in those of July 15, 1836, and February 19, 1841.

Prof. Agassiz announces that “the Unio gracilis and Unio fragilis,
usually considered separate species,” are not distinct. I pointed this
out in my synopsis, in June, 1838, in Vol. VI. of Transactions, new
series, page 121.

Prof. Agassiz must have overlooked these observations published
so long since, but [ deem it due to myself to make this reclamation.*

Pending nominations, from Nos. 242 to 248, and new nomi-
nations, from Nos. 250 to 255, were read.

The Clerk read the proceedings of a special meeting of the
Officers and Council held on the 14th inst.

In accordance with the resolution of the Officers and Coun-
ceil, an amendment of the By-laws was proposed.

* Tt is only due to Poli and to Pfeiffer, to say that they had both observed
and figured the muscles of the foot under the term of the ‘‘muscles of the
stomach.”” When I wrote my early papers, where the anatomy and physio-
logy of the Naiades were partially given, I was not acquainted with the ex-
cellent works of these able and distinguished zoologists. I believe that no
copy of their works had then reached this country. The great work of
Poli is perhaps unequalled in its accuracy and magnificence.

190

Stated Meeting, April 4.
Present, twenty members.
Mr. Lua was called to the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From J. F. and A. F. Svanberg (without date), announcing
the death of their late father, Professor Jo’ns Svanberg, a
member of this Society, who died at Upsal on the 15th Janu-
ary, in the 80th year of his age:—

From Mr. Townsend Ward, dated Philadelphia, 2d April,
1851, asking permission, on behalf of the Historical Society of
Philadelphia, to have a copy painted of the portrait of the
Rey. John Heckewelder, which is in possession of this Society:
and—

From G. M. Totten, dated Manzanilla Island, Sth February,
1851, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a
member of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXI. No. 3.
March, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Pennsylvania Journal of Prison Discipline and Philanthropy.
Vol. VI. No. 2. April, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.— From the
Philadelphia Prison Society.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XLII. New
Series. April, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaae
Hays, Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 100. April, 1851.
Philadelphia, 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Harmony of Interests: Agricultural, Manufacturing and Com-
mercial. By Henry C. Carey. Philadelphia, 1851. 8vo.—From
the Author.

The Prospect: Agricultural, Manufacturing, Commercial and Finan-
cial, at the opening of the Year 1851. By Henry C. Carey.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the same.

Annual Reports of the Trustees of the Astor Library of the City of

19]

New York, made to the Legislature, Jan. 29, 1850, and Feb. 1,
1851. Albany. 8vo.—From Joseph G. Cogswell, Esq.

Alphabetical Index to the Astor Library, or Catalogue, with short
Titles, of the Books now collected, and of the proposed acces-
sions, as submitted to the Trustees of the Library for their ap-
proval, January, 1851. New York. 8vo.—From the same.

Report of Professor Alexander Dallas Bache, Superintendent of the
U. S. Coast Survey, showing the progress of that work for the
year ending Oct. 1850. Washington. 8vo.—From Charles B.
Trego.

A Romance of the Sea Serpent or the Ichthyosaurus. Also a Col-
lection of the Ancient and Modern Authorities, with Letters from
distinguished Merchants and Men of Science. Cambridge, Mass.
1849.—From Eugene Batchelder.

Memorial to the Congress of the United States, requesting an Investi-
gation and Legislation in relation to the New Method of Refining
Gold, of Prof. R. S. M‘Culloh, of the College of New Jersey, late
Melter and Refiner of the U.S. Mint. Princeton, N. J. 1851.
8vo.—From an unknown Donor.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the decease of the Rev. Sa-
muel F. Jarvis, a member of this Society, who died at Middle-
town, Conn., on the 26th March, 1851, in the 65th year of his:
age.
Dr. Franklin Bache having taken the Chair, Mr. Lea made
the following communication on the great size of certain
Naiades from the neighbourhood of Cincinnati:—

On the 21st of June last, | made a communication to the Society
regarding the great size and weight to which some of the Naiades
attained in the waters of the valley of the Ohio. By some means.
the manuscript was mislaid, and a single species only appeared on
the record of the minutes and in the printed Proceedings.

The specimens noticed in that communication were much the
largest which had been before observed, and | deem it of sufficient
importance now to request their insertion.

In a physiological point of view, it is interesting to know the ex-
tent to which the secreting powers of the animal may extend in cer-
tain species, under different circumstances, and how large a quantity
of carbonate of lime may be deposited by the base membrane, as ex-
plained by Dr. Carpenter in his paper on the mode of secretion in
different genera or species of the molluscs. Some of the specimens

VOL. V.—2 D

192

observed by me have, I have no doubt, a secretion of carbonate of
lime in both valves equal to twenty times the weight of the included
soft parts of the animal. The secreting and depositing power here
is of an exceedingly large extent.

These weights and measurements give us also the facts which de-
termine the power of development of the same species in different
localities, more or less favourable to vital energy, as adult specimens
are found in some places where their weight would not be one-tenth
of some of the specimens among those noted in the table.

In a geological point of view, the facts are of some importance.
We find in the loamy deposits of the banks of some of the western
streams, large quantities of the existing species of the vicinity.
These beds are sometimes found to contain, at the height of eighty
feet above high water mark, the same species which exist in streams
cutting the neighbouring banks; and they must have lived there ages
before, ere the streams had cut their channels nearly so deep as they
are at present.* In all such cases, it would be well to note whether
any and what differences there may be between the same species re-
corded in the bluffs, and those still living in the stream below.

The weights and measurements of the following species are taken
from specimens in my own cabinet, without the soft part of the ani-

mal being included.
Diameter. Length. Breadth.

No. 2 Lbs. 02. Inches. Inches. Inches.
1. Unio multiplicatus, 2 93 32 53 8
22 Unio crassidens, 114 255 42, 535
3. Unio crassus, 1 114 23, 4 535
4. Margaritana complanata, 1 10 23 6 8
5. Unio pustulosus, Thee 25, 3555 4
6. Unio undulatus, 1 6% 23 33 As
7. Unio alatus, 1 63 2.5 5 72
8. Margaritana undulata, 1 54 255, 4 ta
9. Unio tuberculatus, 1 42 243 3,35 74

10. Unio verrucosus, 12 225 4% 5

11. Unio lacrymosus, Lea 23, 4 52

12. Unio obliquus, 154 on 33 4s

13. Unio rectus, 132 2 2,5, c=

14. Unio rubiginosus, 8 12, 335 43

* T owe to Mr. Coleman Sellers the possession of several species found by
him near New Harmony, where they covered a space of half an acre, at the
height of eighty feet.

1935

In the cabinet of Mr. Joseph Clark, of Cincinnati, I found the fol-
lowing species of enormous weights. They were found by him in
that vicinity, where mine were also procured.

Lbs. oz.
Unio crassus, ZL
Unio crassidens, Qe
Unio tuberculatus, i fs)
Unio securis, 1
Unio rectus, lee
Margaritana complanta, 1 14

Pfeiffer’s heaviest weight given, of the European species, is 8 oz.
apothecaries’ weight, in the “ Unio sinuata” (margaritifera), which is
equal to 6 oz. avoirdupois, the weight used above.

The Society then proceeded to consider the proposed altera-
tion of the Laws, when, on motion, Chapter VIII. Sect. 7th,
of the Laws of the Society, was amended so as to read as fol-
lows:—

‘“¢ Fle shall receive an annual salary of six hundred dollars, from
the treasury of the Society.”

Pending nominations, from Nos. 242 to 255, were read.

On motion, permission was granted to the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania, to have a copy of the portrait of Mr. Hecke-
welder in the possession of this Society, painted under the su-
perintendence of the Librarian.

Stated Meeting, April 18.
Present, thirty-one members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Dr. C. M. Wetherill, recently elected a member of this So-
ciety, was presented and took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From Joseph W. Farnum, dated London, March 21, 1851,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member
of this Society :—and

194

From Dr. J. G. Fliigel, U. S. Consul at Leipsic, dated Leip-
sic, March 18, 1851, announcing the transmission of a donation
to the Library of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, from January
24 to March 8, 1851. 8vo.—From the Royal Institution.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. New Se-
ries. Vol. IV. Part 2. Cambridge and Boston, 1850. 4to.—
From the Academu.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Vol.
II. Pages 161 to 232 inclusive. 8vo.—From the same.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vol. Il. Art. 8. Micro-
scopical Examination of Soundings made by the U.S. Coast Sur-
vey, off the Atlantic Coast of the United States. By Prof. J. W.
Bailey, U. S. Military Academy, West Point. 4to.—From the
Smithsonian Institution.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Voi. V. No. 3.
1851. 8vo.—From the Society.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche Ge-
wassen; door Jan Kops en J. E. Van der Trappen. Aflevering
164. Amsterdam. 4to.—From his Majesty, the King of the
Netherlands.

Diccionario Hispano-Chileno y Chileno-Hispano, compuesto por el
R. P. Misionero, Andres Febres, de la C. de J. Santiago, 1846.
12m0.—From Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, U. S. Navy.

Gramatica de la lengua Chilena, escrita por el Reverendo Padre Mi-
sionero, Andres Febres de la C. de J. Santiago, 1846. | 8vo.—
From the same.

Indenture of Agreement, July 4, 1760, between Lord Baltimore and
Thomas and Richard Penn, Esquires, settlng the limits and
boundaries of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the three lower coun-
ties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware. Philadelphia,
1851. Folio.—From Edward D. Ingraham, Esq.

Special Anatomy of the Gasteropoda of the United States. By Jo-
seph Leidy, M.D. of Philadelphia. 1850. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil. Vol. II. No. 10. April,
1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor.

195

Mr. Trego announced the death of Prof. H. C. Oersted, a
member of this Society, who died at Copenhagen on the 9th
of March, 1851, in the 74th year of his age.

Prof. Frazer briefly spoke of the scientific labours of Prof.
Oersted.

Mr. Franklin Peale presented for the inspection of the mem-
bers, a gold piece of the value of $50, coined in California, by
Mr. Humbert, U. S. Assayer at San Francisco. He also ex-
hibited several of the new three cent pieces, coined at the
mint in this city, pursuant to a recent Act of Congress.

Dr. Emerson mentioned to the Society, the passage of a re-
cent Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, for the registra-

‘tion of births, marriages and deaths, in the State, distinguish-
ing between those of the white and black inhabitants.

Mr. Justice exhibited a specimen of the new preparation of
“flax cotton”? by Mr. Clausen.

Mr. Fraley made some observations upon specimens of pre-
pared flax, made some fifteen years ago, at New Hope, Pa.,
and stated that he had seen about the year 1822, some speci-
mens prepared without water-rotting, at a mill in Manayunk,
the property of Mr, Alexander Wilson, for the purpose of ma-
nufacturing; and that Commodore Barron had about the same
time invented a machine for the same purpose.

The stated business of the evening, the balloting for candi-
dates for membership was then proceeded with; all other busi-
ness having been finished, the ballot boxes were opened, and
the following gentlemen were declared duly elected members
of the Society :

Rey. Henry A. Boarpman, of Philadelphia.

Dr. THomas D. Murrer, do.
Dr. Caspar Morris, do.
Dr. Witi1am PeppeEr, do.
Isaac Hazienurst, Esq. do.
Perer M‘Catt, Esq. do.
Dr. WILLIAM SuiprEn, do.
Dr. JosrrH Pancoast, do.
Jacos G. Morris, do.

Rozert Patrrerson, do.

196
Prof. Witt1am Cuauvenet, U.S. Naval Academy.

Danie Kirxwoop, of Pottsville, Pa.
Prof. Francesco Cav. ZANTEDESCHI, of Padua.

Stated Meeting, May 2.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. Thomas S. Kirkbride, Dr. Caspar Morris, Dr. William
Pepper, Mr. Jacob G. Morris, Mr. Stephen Colwell, and Rev.
Dr. Boardman, recently elected members, were presented and
took their seats.

Letters were read:—

From Isaac Hazlehurst, dated Philadelphia, April 19; Rev.
Henry A. Boardman, dated Philadelphia, April 21; Dr. Joseph
Pancoast, dated Philadelphia, April 22; William Chauvenet,
dated Annapolis, Md. April 22; Dr. Thomas D. Mutter, dated
Philadelphia, April 24; and Robert Patterson, dated Philadel-
phia, April 26, respectively acknowledging the receipt of no-
tice of their election as members of this Society :—

From the Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen, dated
9th February, 1851, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 43 and
44 of the Proceedings of this Society :—and

From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester,
dated Society’s Rooms, George street, April 8th, 1851, ac-
knowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal Asiatique. IV Série. Tome XVI. Paris, 1850. 8vo.—
From the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Annales des Mines. Tome XVIII. 4 & 5 Livraisons de 1850. Paris.
8vo.—From the Engineers of Ecole des Mines.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 18. May 1, 1849.
London. 8vo.—(Not previously received).—From the Society.

197

Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Gesellschaft der Wissenchaften zu
Gottingen. IV Band. fiir 1848—50. Géttingen, 1850. 4to.—
From the Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen.

Nachrichten von der Georg-Augusts-Universitat, und der Kéniglichen
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu G6ttingen. Vom Jahre 1850.
Nos. 1—17. Géttingen. 8vo.—From the same.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. V.
No. 2. April, 1851. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Vol. III.
(From page 337 to end of Volume, with Title-page and Index to
Vol. HI.) Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Memorials of Columbus: Read to the Maryland Historical Society,
by Robert Dodge, April 3, 1851. Baltimore. Svo.—From the
Society.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 4. April, 1851. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. No. 3. March
7 to 21,1851. London. 8vo.—From the Institution.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXI. No. 4.
April, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—F rom the Institute.

Uranus: Synchronistisch geordnete Ephemeride aller Himmelser-
scheinungen des Jahres 1850; 2, 3, and 4 Quartale; und 1 Se-
mester, 1851. Herausgegeben von der Koniglichen Sternwarte
zu Breslau. Breslau. 8vo.—From Professor Boguslawski.

Populares Astronomisches Hand-Worterbuch, oder versuch einer al-
phabetisch geordneten Erklarung der vornehmsten Begriffe und
Kunstworter der Astronomie, &c. Von Dr. Joseph Emil Niirn-
berger. Parts 14 to 19, inclusive, completing the work. 8vo.
From Dr. J. G. Fligel, U. S. Consul at Leipsic.

Congratulatory Address to Dr. Nirnberger on his Fiftieth Anniver-
sary. Transcribed by Dr. J. G. Flivel, for the Society. MSS.
From the same.

A Proposal to establish and maintain One Uniform System of
Weights, Measures and Coins, among all Civilized and Commer-
cial Nations. By Peter A. Browne, LL.D., of Philadelphia. New
York, 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

Ephemérides des Mouvemens Célestes pour le Méridien de Paris.
Tome Septiéme; contenant les dix années de 1775 4 1784. Re-
vues et publiées par M. de la Lande, de l’Académie Royale de
Paris. Paris, 1774. 4to.—From J. F. Frazer.

198

Kphemerides Anno Virginei Partus, 1500. (No imprint.) 4to.
From the same.

A Catalogue of the Subscription Library at Kingston upon Hull, esta-
blished in December, 1775. Liverpool, 1822. 8vo.—From the
same.

By-laws of the Pennsylvania State Lunatic Hospital at Harrisburg,
with the Acts of the Legislature establishing the same. Harris-
burg, 1851. 8vo.—From Charles B. Trego.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. [X. No. 101. May, 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

United States Exploring Expedition, during the Years 1838, 1839,
1840, 1841, 1842, under the Command of Charles Wilkes,
U.S. N. Vol. XI. Meteorology, by Charles Wilkes, U. S. N.
Philadelphia, 1851. 4to.—From the Author.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 33.
May, 1851. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silliman and
Dana, Editors.

Mr. Du Bois exhibited a number of specimens of metallic
currency, for the inspection of the members.

1. Silver coin of the caliph, Haroun Alraschid, renowned in Ara-
bian history and romance. ‘This well preserved and rare specimen
was lately presented to the Mint collection, by John P. Brown, Esq.,
drogoman to the United States Embassy at Constantinople. It bears
no effigy of the caliph, or picture of any kind, owing to a rigid con-
struction, by the Mussulmans, of the second Mosaic commandment,
by which they abstain from ‘making the likeness of any thing,” for
any purpose. Instead of such emblems, the coin is covered on both
sides with Arabic inscriptions, chiefly texts from the Koran, with a
fanciful, dashing script, peculiar to the Mohammedan coins of that day.
On one side we read in the centre—* There is no God but one God,
to whom there is no Fellow.” And around this—‘‘In the name of
God, this dirhem was coined in the City of Peace (Bagdad), in the
year 188,” that is, 803 of the Christian era.

On the reverse, the central inscription reads—“ Mohammed is the
messenger of God.” Around this is the legend, “Mohammed is the
messenger of God, whom he sent as the director of the true religion,
that he might elevate it above all religions, however much the Asso-
ciators should be displeased by it.” The term Associators was ap-
plied by Mahomed to the Christians, in respect to the doctrine of the

))

199

Trinity, and probably, also, to the divine honours paid to the Virgin
Mary in the Greek Catholic church, to which he was neighbour.

The occasion of this peculiar feature of Arabian coinage (Cufie
coinage as it is called by numismatists) is detailed by Arabian writers,
and is here gathered from Marsden, in his Numismata Orientalia.

Until the year of the Hegira, 76, or A. D. 695, the Mahomedan
empire had no coinage of its own, relying upon what was already
current in the country, especially of the Greek-Roman issue, from
Constantinople. But the caliph Abdalmalek having adhered to the
practice of commencing his epistles to the Roman Emperor with the
formulary—‘* There is but one God, and Mohammed is his prophet”
—the latter took offence at what appeared to him an insult, or at least
a disparagement of the faith he professed, and threatened to retaliate,
by introducing inscriptions upon the coinage which would not be
agreeable to the professors of Islamism. The effect of this unwise
controversy was such as might have been expected. The caliph
took measures for establishing an orthodox mint of his own, and
commenced a coinage in A. D. 695.

It should be added, that the denomination of this coin, dirhem, is a
change of the ancient Greek word drachm. ‘The average value of
the Arabic dirhem was about twelve cents. The silver appears to be
of a high grade of fineness.

The coin is as yet scarcely known in this country, and is very
rare even in Europe, especially in such fine preservation: yet it is
remarkable that two such pieces have been dug up of Jate years in
different places in England, where they were probably carried by re-
turning crusaders.

2. Specimens of private mintage in California, ten and five dollar
pieces. They so closely resemble the national coin, as to be pro-
perly considered counterfeits; with this remarkable feature, however,
that they are nearly or quite equal to the genuine issue in value. As
the idea of counterfeiting seems almost necessarily to include that of
debasement, or fraud, this unique characteristic renders the pieces
highly interesting. ‘The difference in the market price of gold bullion
at San Francisco and at Philadelphia, is the easy solution of the cir-
cumstance.

3. Three varieties of gold rings, made in the interior of Africa
from the gold of that country. The largest of them only is a no-
velty ; and that on account of its massiveness, being worth about 110
dollars. ‘The smallest has a value of only 60 cents. They are un-
derstood to serve the double purpose of ornament and currency; but

VOL. V.—2 E

200

the large one must have been a crown jewel, rather than a veritable
pendant for the ear or nose.

On motion, the use of the Halli was tendered to the Associa-
tion of Medical Superintendents of Hospitals and Asylums for
the Insane, for the purpose of holding their proposed meetings.

Stated Meeting, May 16.
Present, fifteen members.
Jupce Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Mr. Robert Patterson, recently elected a member, was pre-
sented, and took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From Dr. William Shippen, dated Philadelphia, 15th May,
1851, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a
member of this Society, and declining the acceptance thereof:
and—

From the Cambridge Philosophical Society, dated Cam-
bridge, Ist January, 1851, announcing the transmission of
their Transactions, Vol. IX. Part 1, as a donation to this So-
ciety.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
Year 1850. Part 2. London, 1850. 4to.—From the Royal
Society.

List of the Council and Fellows of the Royal Society, Nov. 30, 1850.
Ate.—From the same.

Astronomical, and Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made
at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in the Year 1849, under
the direction of George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer
Royal. London, 1850. 4to.—From the same.

Results of Observations made by the Rey. Fearon Fallowes, at the
Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, in the Years 1829,

)

201

1830, 1831. Reduced under the Superintendence of G. B. Airy,
Esq., Astronomer Royal. London, 1849. 4to.—From the same.

Observations on Days of Unusual Magnetic Disturbance, made at the
British Colonial Magnetic Observatories, under the Departments
of Ordnance and Admiralty. Printed by the British Government,
under the Superintendence of Lieut. Col. Edward Sabine, of the
Royal Artillery. Vol. I. Part 2. 1842, 1843, 1844. London,
1851. 4to.—From the British Government, through Col. Sabine.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. No. 4.
Feb. 15, 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. Vol. IX.
Part 1. Cambridge, 1851. 4to.—From the Society.

Observations des Phénoménes Périodiques. 1849. Bruxelles. 4to.
From M. A. Quetelet.

Rapport addressé a M. le Ministre de |’Interieur, sur |’état et les tra-
vaux de l’Observatoire Royal pendant année, 1849. Par M. le
Directeur Quetelet.—From the same.

Fourth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of New York,
on the Condition of the State Cabinet of Natural History, and the
Historical and Antiquarian Collection annexed thereto. Made to
the Senate, January 14,1851. Albany. 8vo.—From the Re-
gents of the University of New York.

An Address delivered before the Rhode Island Historical Society, on
the evening of February 19, 1851. By Elisha R. Potter, Mem-
ber of the Society. Providence, 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

Papers on Practical Engineering: Published by the Engineer Depart-
ment, for the use of the Officers of the U. 8. Corps of Engineers.
No. 5. An Analytical Investigation of the Resistance of Piles to
Superincumbent Pressure, deduced from the force of Driving;
with an application of the formula to the foundations of Fort
Montgomery, Rouse’s Point, N. Y. By Brevet Lieut. Col. James
L. Mason, Capt. U. S. Engineers. Washington, 1850. 8vo.
From Gen. J. G. Totten, U. S. Engineers.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the decease of Dr. Samuel
George Morton, a member of this Society, who died in this
city on the 15th inst., in the 52d year of his age, and accom-
panied the announcement by a brief notice of the scientific la-
bours of the deceased.

On motion, Dr. Horner was appointed to prepare an obituary
notice of Dr. Morton.

202

On motion, the Society resolved to attend the funeral of Dr.
Morton.

Mr. Peale called the attention of members to a small tract
which had been laid on the table by the Librarian, Mr. C. B.
Trego, on the title page of which there was a print of an an-
cient British Torque collar, and desired them to notice the
striking similarity that existed between it and the gold rings,
of African manufacture, exhibited at the last meeting of the
Society by Mr. W. P. Du Bois, assistant assayer of the Mint,
United States.

The pamphlet states that the collar (of which a plate is given on
the title page) is made of brass, and that they have been found made
of gold and bronze.

The African rings are of native manufacture, and twisted through-
out nearly their entire length, leaving only a small part of each end
plain and round, exhibiting a similitude which is not identical, only
in the fact that the African rings are not bent into hooks at each ex-
tremity, as in that of British manufacture.

Mr. Peale adverted to the singular circumstance of such identity of
form, in rings made in parts of the earth sc widely separated, and in
periods of time so remote as that of the ancient British and modern
Africans; and stated that he had seen a gold bracelet of East Indian
manufacture, which was ‘similar in construction, so far as twisted
strands of metal would present the same general form.

Pending nominations, from Nos. 256 to 259, and new nomi-
nation, No. 260, were read.

Stated Meeting, June 20.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read: —

From Peter M‘Call, dated Fourth street, 19th June, 1851,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber of this Society :—

From the Society of Antiquaries, dated Somerset House,
28th March, 1851, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceed-
ings of this Society, No. 45.

From the Royal Geographical Society of Cornwall, dated
Penzance, 6th May, 1851, announcing the transmission of a
donation to this Society, and acknowledging the receipt of the
Transactions and Proceedings of this Society :—

From the First Class of the Royal Institute of Sciences,
Belles-Lettres and Arts, of the Netherlands, dated Amster-
dam, 31st October, 1850, announcing a donation to this So-
ciety :—

From the Batavian Society of Sciences, dated Haarlem, 24th
March, 1851, accompanying a donation, and acknowledging
the receipt of Vol. X. Part I., of the Transactions of this So-
ciety: and—

From Isaac Remington, M.D., Secretary of the Medical So-
ciety of the State of Pennsylvania, enclosing a copy of a vote
of thanks to this Society, for the use of the Hall at the late ses-
sion of the State Medical Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde, en Schoone Kunsten,
te Amsterdam. Derde Reeks. Deel 2 and 3. Amsterdam, 1850.
Ato.—From the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sciences, Belles
Lettres and Arts.

Tijdschrift voor de Wis-en Natuurkundige Wetenschappen, uitge-
geven door de Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde, en Schoone Kunsten.
Derde Deel. Aflevering 3 and 4. Amsterdam, 1850. 8vo.
From the same.

Jaarboek van het Koninklijk-Nederlandsche Instituut van Weten-
schappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten, voor 1850. Am-
sterdam. 8vo.—From the same.

Natuurkundige Verhandelingen van de Hollandsch Maatschappij der
Wetenschappen te Haarlem. Tweede Verzameling. VII. Deel.
Leiden, 1851. 4to.—From the Batavian Society of Sciences at
Haarlem.

204

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. ‘Troisiéme Serie. ‘Tome XIV.
Paris. 8vo.—F rom the Geographical Society of Paris.

Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome XVIII. 6 livraison
de 1850. Paris. Svo.—From the Engineers of the Ecole des
Mines.

Recherches sur le Porphyre Rouge Antique, et sur le Syenite Rose
d’Egypte. Mémoire sur la Constitution Minéralogique et Chi-
mique des Roches des Vosges. Par M. A. Delesse, Ingénieur
des Mines. 1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, March 28 to
May 9, 1851. London. 8vo.—¥From the Institution.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. No.5.
March 14,1851. London. S8vo.—From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. Vol. 1V. No. 13. April
1,1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. VII. No. 25.
Feb. 1, 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. 1V. Dublin, 1850.
S8vo.—From the Academy.

Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. Vol. VI.
Penzance, 1846. 8vo.—Ffrom the Society.

Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth,
Thirty-sixth, and Thirty-seventh Annual Reports of the Council,
with the President’s Address, and Papers and Notices read to the
Society. Penzance, 1847, 8, 9,50. 8vo.—From the same.

Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science. Fourth Meeting, held at New Haven, August, 1850.
Washington and New York. 8vo.—From the Association.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 5. May, 1851. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXI. Nos. 5
and 6. May and June, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the
Institute.

Cartas para servir de introduction a la Historia Primitiva de las Na-
ciones Civilizadas de la America Setentrional. Por el Abate Don
K. Carlos Brasseur de Bourbourg, miembro de la Sociedad Mexi-
cana de Geografia y Estadistica, &c. Mexico, 1851. 8vo.—From
the Author.

Production of Vital Force: A Discourse delivered before the Massa-
chusetts Medical Society, at their Annual Meeting, May 30, 1849.

aight

205

By Edward Jarvis, M.D., Fellow of the Society. Boston, 1849.
8vo.—From the Author.

On the Comparative Liability of Males and Females to Insanity, and
their Comparative Curability and Mortality when Insane. By
Edward Jarvis, M.D., of Dorchester, Mass. Utica, 1850. 8vo.
From the same.

A Collection of Pamphlets, 24 in number, relating to the Public Insti-
tutions, Finances, Education and Statistics of the State of Massa-
chusetts, the City of Boston, and the Town of Dorchester.—From
Dr. Edward Jarvis.

Queestionum Ionicarum Liber. Quo novam Hippocratis editionem
indicit Auctor Justus Florianus Lobeck Dr. Fasciculus primus.
Regimontii Prussorum. 1850. S8vo.— From the Author.

Historical and Statistical Information respecting the History, Condi-
tion and Prospects of the Indian ‘Tribes of the United States: col-
lected and prepared under the direction of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, per Act of Congress of March 3, 1847. By Henry R.
Schooleraft, LL.D. Published by authority of Congress. Part I.
Philadelphia, 1851. 4to.—From L. Lea, Esq., Commissioner
of Indian Affairs.

Key to the Indian Language of New England, in the Etchemin or
Passamaquoddy Language, spoken in Maine, and St. John’s, New
Brunswick. By Joseph Barratt, M.D. No.1. Middletown, Conn.
1850. 8vo.—From the Author.

Contributions to Conchology, No. 9: with Catalogue of the Land
Shells which inhabit Jamaica. By C. B. Adams, Professor of
Zoology in Amherst College, Mass. April, 1851. 8vo.—From
the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1X. No. 102. June, 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil. Vol. III. Nos. 11 and 12.
May and June, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor.

Reports of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the Years.
1846, 7. 8, 9,50. By Thomas S. Kirkbride, Physician to the
Institution. Philadelphia, 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

First Annual Report of the President and Directors of the Bellefon-
taine and Indiana Rail Road Company; with Statement of the
Treasurer, and Report of the Chief Engineer, January, 1851.
Cleveland, Ohio. 8vo.—From W. Milnor Roberts, Esq., Chief
Engineer.

The Documentary History of the State of New York; arranged un-

206

der the direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of
State. By E. B. O’Callaghan, M.D. Vol. II. Albany, 1850.
8vo.—From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York.

Sixty-fourth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York. Made to the Legislature, March 1, 1851.
Albany. 8vo.— From the same.

Professor Frazer announced the death of Joel B. Reynolds,
a member of this Society, who died on the 16th May last, in
the 25th year of his age. His death was occasioned by the
explosion of a steam boiler. Prof. F. described the circum-
stances of the melancholy accident, and accompanied the an-
nouncement with a notice of the scientific pursuits and merits
of the deceased.

Mr. Justice announced the death of Mr. Wm. Hembel, a
member of this Society, who died on the 12th of the present
month, in the 88th year of his age.

The following letter from Dr. Locke, on the subject of a
new method of recording time and astronomical observations
on the register of an electro-magnetic telegraph, was read, and
a specimen of the work shown.

Cincinnati, June 3d, 1851.
To the American Philosophical Society.

Although I have for some time ceased to correspond with your
learned institution, yet | have not ceased to labour in my small way
for the advancement of those objects which are interesting to all of
us. I have lately been engaged in polishing up my chronographic
invention of 1848, especially as regards cylindrical registering of as-
tronomical observations, with reference to local or fixed observatory
operations. I announced last autumn, in the National Intelligencer,
my method of regulating the cylinder or the equatorial clock, by
means of electro-magnetic power derived from the sideral clock, and
acting in aid of a weight. By this means the cylinder or clock, ad-
justed to a rate perceptibly too slow, receives a supplementary power
by consecutive impulses, equalized by an intermediate spring, and
resulting in a measured motion of great uniformity. During the win-
ter | devised a new mode of working the electro-telegraphic register-
ing upon the cylinder. This will be best understood by adverting to
the Morse register, in which the fillet of paper passes snugly over a

207

roller, with a narrow groove corresponding to the point of the rect
procating stile or pen operating on the outside. This groove enables
the pen to indent and crease the paper, by pushing it downward with-
out resistance. These indentations, thus made, were to some extent
indefinite and rather illegible, unless when the light is received tan-
gentially ; and were always liable to become obscure or obliterated
by pressure and long keeping.

In registering upon a sheet of paper enveloping a revolving cylin-
der, this use of a groove is impracticabie; and the paper lying on a
hard surface could with difficulty be marked by dot or indentation.
As a substitute for the groove, I have interposed a covering of velvet,
or the like substance, between the paper and the solid cylinder, and
I am thus enabled to mark by sharp needle punctures, in a manner,
as I think, scarcely needing further attempts at improvement.

J enclose you a specimen cut from a sheet two feet square, and
containing the work of four hours. This specimen is a zone or belt,
including the circumference of the cylinder, which revolves once per
minute, and receives in that time sixty punctures, distant from each
other about ten millimetres. When the sheet is cut open and deve-
loped from the cylinder, it presents a table having readings by inter-
sections derived from a vertical column on the left, and a horizontal
column at the top. On the left the column of seconds reads from
0 to 60, and on the top the headings are hours and minutes. Thus
it appears that an observation, or a puncture intermediate between
any two seconds, can be read as easily in the developed sheet as on
the cylinder. ‘The successive spirals or revolutions of minutes return
very close to each other (23 millimetres or one-tenth of an inch), and
the uniformity of motion of the cylinder is most severely tested by
the lines which the returning punctures make more or less parallel to
the cylinder’s axis. ‘This sample was produced without the magnetic
regulator, the cylinder running with a free flying motion. It is re-
markable, that with this flowing motion we should be enabled to gene-
rate a helix 500 feet long, and arrive at a final predicted point within
five millimetres or two-tenths of an inch; or, in other words, after
four hours of work, in which 14,400 punctures had been made, the
lines of returning dots had at no point departed half of a second from
a line parallel to the axis of the cylinder. The several spaces repre-
senting the seconds, differ from the 60th part of the circumference of
the cylinder not more than 544,,th part.

VOL. V.—2 F

208

Means by which this Uniformity of Continuous Motion has been
attained.

1. Screw axes for progressive motion, to generate a spiral, have
been rejected.

2. The progressive motion is made by the registering head bearing
the magnet and stile, or puncturing pen, and travelling on rails like
the V bars of a turning lathe.

3. The progressive motion of this registering head is not derived
from the rotation of the cylinder, but that head moved independently
by means of a little clock being attached to running cord of the
same.

4. The puncturing pen acts perpendicularly to the surface of the
cylinder, and having a joint by which it yields to the cylinder’s mo-
tion, it offers no retarding drag.

5. The cylinder is, in all respects, left free to revolve, and its fric-
tions, including all of its wheels, revolve or return, at short intervals,
into themselves. Incidentally this punctured sheet, by being inter-
posed between the eye and a candle, and moved rapidly in curves
and waves, exhibits lines in a curiously figured manner, showing the
candle flame as a screw, sometimes right handed and sometimes left
handed, &c.

Very respectfully yours,
JOHN LOCKE.

Mr. Justice laid upon the table for inspection, two daguerreo-
types of the moon, taken by Mr. Whipple, of Boston, through
the refracting telescope of the Cambridge Observatory; one
representing it in its first quarter, the other when nearly at
the full.

He mentioned, that to those acquainted with the different localities
of the moon’s surface, the accuracy of the pictures is highly gratify-
ing when placed in the direct rays of the sun, and viewed through a
magnifying lens. Hitherto any attempt to portray the scenery of
the moon by drawings, has been entirely unsatisfactory in conveying
a true impression of its diversified appearance through a telescope;
but he now hoped, from the constant improvement in the art of da-
guerreotyping, that an enlarged picture of the moon’s disc may be
obtained, from which engraved maps might be made, so that the se-
lenography of our satellite may be studied in our schools, in conjunc-
tion with the geography of our own planet.

209

Mr. Trego remarked, that some recent excursions into the
country in different parts of south-eastern Pennsylvania, and a
small portion of New Jersey, near the Delaware, had afforded
him an opportunity of making some observations upon the
habits of the insect commonly called locust (cicada septende-
cem), and as to the extent of the region over which their pre-
sent periodical visitation extends. He hoped that from further
inquiry, and the observations of others, the boundaries of the
region visited by the locusts this year may be approximately
ascertained. Among other facts noticed by him, he mentioned
that the low sandy grounds along the Delaware and Susque-
hanna rivers appeared to be almost entirely exempt from the
visits of this insect, while on the neighbouring higher and more
clayey or tenacious soils they were abundant. He had ob-
served that the twigs of the young chestnut trees appeared to
be a favourite place of the female for the deposit of her eggs,
but that many other forest and fruit trees were also chosen for
this purpose, not, however, so universally as the chestnut.
Pines, and other resinous trees, appeared to be nearly or quite
exempt from their attacks.

Prof. Tucker remarked, that he had seen the twigs of the
red cedar (juniperus virginiana) affected by the punctures
of the female locust.

Dr. Bridges observed, that a reason why the locust avoids a
very sandy soil may probably be found in the fact, that when
about to emerge from the earth, the insect forms for its passage
a perpendicular cylindrical perforation in the soil, by which it
can ascend and descend at pleasure, until it finally leaves the
ground. The inside of this tube is plastered smoothly with
clay, which, in a sandy soil, could not readily be effected, and
in the loose sand these perforations would not be sufficiently
firm or durable for the purposes of the insect.

Further remarks on the subject were made by Prof. Frazer,
Mr. Justice, Dr. B. H. Coates, and others.

Pending nominations, from No. 256 to No. 261, inclusive,
were read.

Vode ta egini oct oon bad od 16
Voriouny ui} 4d Lolealls. Coininegiis

at ae bag 1a : jake |
te abiaeah

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Orin Wc JULY, I8SSI—FEBRUARY, 1852. = No. 47.

Special Meeting, July 14.
Present, five members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The presiding officer announced the death of Benjamin W.
Richards, Esq. Treasurer of the Society, which occurred on
the 13th inst. in the fifty-third year of his age, and stated that
he had called this special meeting in consequence thereof.

Whereupon, after some remarks by Judge Kane on the pub-
lic and private life and virtues of the deceased, the following
resolutions were proposed by him and unanimously adopted.

Resolved, 1. That the members will attend the funeral as mourners.

2. That a member be appointed to prepare a notice of the life and
character of Mr. Richards, the late Treasurer of this Society.

3. That the members tender their sympathy and condolence to the
family of the deceased, and that the Secretary be instructed to com-
municate to them a copy of these proceedings.

Judge Kane was appointed, under the second resolution, to
prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Richards.

Stated Meeting, July 18.
Present, twelve members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read :—
From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
Moscow, 18th—30th April, 26th September, and Sth October,
~ 1850, announcing donations to this Society :—
VOL. V.—2 G

212

From the Smithsonian Institution, dated Washington, July
16, 1851, returning acknowledgment for No. 46 of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society: and—

From Charles K. Dillaway, for the Publication Committee
of the Boston Society of Natural History, dated Boston, July
12, 1851, accompanying a portion of the Proceedings of that
Society, which had not been previously received.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. VIII. No. 26.
May 1, 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Sociely.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Nos. XXXV. to
XLII. (Nov. 7, 1848, to June 18, 1850), with the title page and
Index to Vol. I. and a List of Members of the Society for 1850.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Geological and Polytechnic Society of the West
Riding of Yorkshire. 1850. Leeds. 8vo.—From the Society.

Thirtieth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and Li-
terary Society, at the close of the session, 1849-50. Leeds.
8vo.—From the Society.

Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou. No. 4
de 1849, et Nos. 1, 2, de 1850. Moscow. S8vo.—From the
Society.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vol. II. Washington,
1851. 4to.—From the Smithsonian Institution.

Experimental Researches in Electricity. 24th, 2oth, 26th and 27th
Series. By Michael Faraday, Esq. D.C.L. F.R.S. London. 4to.
(Phil. Trans. Part 1, for 1851).—From the Author.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. Nos. 6and7. June and
July, 1851. Washington. Svo.—From the American Coloni-
zation Society.

Elements of Latin Pronunciation, for the use of Students in Language,
Law, Medicine, Zoology, Botany, and the Sciences generally, in
which Latin words are used. By 8. S. Haldeman, A.M. Profes-
sor of Natural History in the University of Pennsylvania. Phila-
delphia, 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

Relation of the Chemical Constitution of Bodies to Taste. By Prof.
E. N. Horsford, of Harvard College. 8vo.—From the Author.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XLHI. New

213

Series. July, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From isaac Hays,
M.D., Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 103. July, 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

A Collection of Pamphlets, 173 in number, embracing Public Docu-
ments of the State of Massachusetts, the cities of Boston, Rox-
bury and Lowell, the towns of Concord and Dorchester; Reports
of the Massachusetts General Hospital, the State Lunatic Hospital
at Worcester, the American Asylum at Hartford, &c. &c. with a
variety of others on different subjects.—from Dr. Edward
Jarvis.

Documents Relating to the Manufacture of Iron in Pennsylvania.
Published on behalf ef the Convention of Iron Masters which met
in Philadeiphia the 20th December, 1849. Philadelphia, 1650.
8vo.— From Charles E. Smith, Esq.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. IV. No.1. July,
1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Esq. Editor.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. No.
7. May 9,1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Astronomical Observations made during the Year 1846, at the Na-
tional Observatory, Washington; under the direction of M. F.
Maury, Lieut. U.S. Navy, Superintendent ; Commodore L. War-
rington, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. Vol.
Ii. Washington, 1851. 4to.—From the Observatory.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXII. No. 1.
July, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Vol. II. from
page 137 to end: Vol. III. complete: Vol. IV. page 1 to 16.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Judge Kane, pursuant to appointment at the special meeting
held 14th inst., read an obituary notice of B. W. Richards, Esq.
late Treasurer of the Society.

The stated business of the meeting, the balloting for new
members, was necessarily postponed, in consequence of there
not being the requisite quorum present.

Mr. Trego, on the part of the Reporter, laid on the table
No. 46 of the Proceedings of the Society, recently published.

On motion, it was resolved, that the Society will, at its next
meeting, proceed to elect a Treasurer in the place of Mr.
Richards, deceased, and that, in the mean time, the Committee

214

of Finance take order for the performance of the duties of the
office.

Pending nominations, Nos. 256 to 261, inclusive, were
read.

Stated Meeting, 4ugust 15.
Present, five members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From A. T. Kupffer, Director of the Central Physical Ob-
servatory at St. Petersburg, dated 15th—27th June, 1851, in
relation to an exchange of publications with this Society :—

From Wilhelm Braumiiller, publishing agent of the Im-
perial Academy of Sciences at Vienna, announcing a donation
from the Academy :—

From the Linnean Society of London, dated Soho Square,
June 1851, returning thanks for the Proceedings of this So-
ciety, No. 45:—

From the American Antiquarian Society, dated Worcester,
Mass., July 17, 1851,—and from the Regents of the Universi-
ty of the State of New York, dated Albany, July 21, 1851,
acknowledging the receipt of No. 46 of the Proceedings.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften.—
Philosophisch-historische Classe. Jahrgang, 1850. (Jan. to
Dec.) Wien, 1850. 8vo.—From the Imperial Academy of
Sciences at Vienna.

Archiv fiir Kunde 6esterreichischer Geschichts-Quellen. Herausgege-
ben von der zur Pflege vaterlandischer Geschichte aufgestellten
Commission der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Jahrgang, 1850. I Band, 1, 2, 3, 4 Heft. JI Band, 1 Heft.
Wien, 1850. 8vo.—From the same.

Fontes Rerum Austriacarum. Oéesterreichische Geschichtsquellen.
Herausgegeben von der Historischen Commission der Kaiserlichen

215

Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien. Zweite Abtheilung.
Diplomataria et Acta. Il Band. Liber Fundationum Monasterii
Zwetlensis. Wien, 1851. 8vo.—From the same.

Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XX. Part 3.
With List of the Society for 1850. London, 1851. 4to.—From
the Society.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society. No. XLIV. London, 1851.
8vo.—From the same.

Proceedings of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, from May 16
to June 13, 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Institution.

Annales des Mines. Tome XIX. 1 livraison de 1851. Paris. 8vo.—
From the Engineers of Ecole des Mines.

Smithsonian Reports. Notices of Public Libraries in the United
States of America. By Charles C. Jewett, Librarian of the
Smithsonian Institution. Washington, 1851. 8vo.—From the
Smithsonian Institution.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XII. No. 34. July, 1851. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs.
Silliman and Dana, Edttors.

The Massachusetts System of Common Schools, being an enlarged
and revised edition of the Tenth Annual Report of the First Se-
cretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Boston, 1849.
Reports of the Massachusetts Colonization Society, from 1844 to
1850, inclusive. First Annual Report of the Trustees of Dona-
tions for Education in Liberia. Jan. 1851. ‘Twenty-fifth An-
nual Report of the Board of Managers of the Prison Discipline
Society. Boston. May, 1850. Ten Years of Colportage in
America. New York, 1851. 8vo.-—From the Hon. Simon
Greenleaf.

A Perpetual Calendar for Old and New Style. Nathaniel B. Shurt-
leff. Second Edition. Boston, 1851. 4to. (Privately printed.
150 copies for private use).—From N. B. Shurtleff, Esq.

Experimental Researches, illustrative of the functional oneness, unity
and diffusion of Nervous Action, in opposition to the anatomical
assumption of four sets of Nerves and a fourfold set of functions
and transmitted impressions; with a brief exposition of the philo-
sophy of vivisection and of sensation. By Bennet Dowler, M.D.,
of New Orleans, &c. &c. New Orleans. June, 1851. 8vo.—
From the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 104. August,
1851. Philadelphia. 8yvo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

216

The Plough, the Loom and Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 2. August, 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Esq. Edtior.

Report of the Twentieth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science, held at Edinburgh, in July and August,
1850. London, 1851. 8vo.—From the Association.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. ‘Third Series. Vol. XXII. No. 2.
August, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—F'rom the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 8. August, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. V. No. 4.
Newark, 1851. 8vo.—From the Society.

The minutes of the Board of Officers and Council of the So-
ciety, at their last meeting, were read.

The Society then proceeded to the nomination and election
of a Treasurer, pro tem., and Mr. Trego was nominated and
elected.

Pending nominations, Nos. 256 to 261, and new nomina-
tion, No. 262, were read.

Stated Meeting, September 19.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Etat Major of the Corps of Mining Engineers of
Russia, dated St. Petersburg, 6th—18th of February, 1851;
from Charles ©. Rafn, Secretary of the Royal Society of
Northern Antiquaries, dated Copenhagen, June 4, 1851; from
W.S. Derrick, Esq., Acting Secretary of State, dated Wash-
ington, 14th August, 1851; from Drs. A. A. Gould and D. H.
Storer, acting in pursuance of the will of the late Dr. Amos
Binney, all announcing donations to the Society’s library:
and—

From the Royal Society of London, dated Somerset House,
June 25, 1851, acknowledging the receipt of No. 45 of the
Proceedings of this Society.

217

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Antiquarisk Tidsskrifi, udgivet af det Kongelige Nordiske Oldskrift-
Selskab. 1843—1848. 2 vols. Kiébenhayn. 8vo.—From the
Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, Copenhagen.

Abstract of the Report of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries
at Copenhagen, at the General Anniversary Meeting, 15th Febru-
ary, 1851. 8vo.—From the same.

Guide to Northern Archeology, by the Royal Society of Northern
Antiquaries at Copenhagen. Edited for the use of English
Readers by the Right Honourable, the Earl of Ellesmere. Lon-
don, 1848. 8vo.—From the Earl of Ellesmere.

Annales de Observatoire Physique Central de Russie: Publiées par
ordre de sa Majesté l’Kmpereur Nicolas I. sous les auspices de
M. le Comte Wrontchenko, Ministre des Finances, et Chef du
Corps des Ingénieurs des Mines. Par A. T. Kupffer, Directeur
de Observatoire Physique Central. Année, 1847. Nos. 1 & 2.
St. Petersbourg, 1850. 4to.—From the Etat Major of the Corps
of Mining Engineers of Russia.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
Year 1851. Part I. London, 1851. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Society. Vol. VI. Nos. 77,78. London,
1851. 8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XX.
Part 2. London, 1851. 8vo.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. No.
8. June 18,1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Executive Documents, Ist Session of 31st Congress, 1849-50. 11 vols.

Senate Journal, a - 1 ee

Senate Documents, Fe o 1 to10 & 13, 14.
Do. Do. Miscellaneous, ,, Me 2 vols.
Senate Reports, - 3 Thee
House Journal, . Bi ro
Miscellaneous Documents, H. R. bs re Ks
Reports of Committees, * ss oes

From the Department of State, Washington.

Plates to Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the

Girard College, Philadelphia, 1840-45. 2d Session of 28th Con-
gress, 1844-5. 1 vol. Washington. 8vo.—From the same.

218

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, from Jan. 1 to
May 21,1851. Boston. S8vo.—From the Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XII. No. 35. Sept. 1851. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs.
Silliman and Dana, Editors.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. [X. No. 105. Sept. 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—F rom Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. [V. No. 3. Sep-
tember, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Esq.
Editor.

Deposition of Richard C. Taylor, respecting the Asphaltum Mine at
Hillsborough, in the county of Albert and province of New Bruns-
wick. Supreme Court, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Abraham Gesner
vs. Halifax Gas Light Company. Philadelphia, 1851. 8vo.—
From Richard C. Taylor.

The Terrestrial Air-breathing Mollusks of the United States and the
adjacent Territories of North America: described and illustrated
by Amos Binney. Edited by Augustus A. Gould. Vols. 1, 2.
Boston, 1851. 8vo.—From Drs. A. A. Gould and D. H.
Storer, in pursuance of the Will of the late Dr. Binney.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. V.
No. 8. May, 1851. New York. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.

Mr. Lea announced the death of James Fenimore Cooper, a
member of this Society, who died at Cooperstown, N. Y., on
the 14th of the present month, aged sixty-two.

Dr. I’. Bache announced the death of Peter Pedersen, a mem-
ber of this Society, who died at Copenhagen, August 16, 1851,
nearly eighty years of age.

Mr. Peale, in the name of the Officers and Clerks of the U.
S. Mint, presented to the Society a medal of Dr. Robert M.
Patterson, on silver gilt, presented by them to Dr. Patterson,
late Director of the Mint. Mr. Peale read the proceedings of
the officers of the Mint on the occasion of the retirement of Dr.
Patterson from the office, with his reply, and explained the
character of the medal and the devices thereon.

Mr. Lea read the following correspondence between himself
and Prof. Agassiz, in relation to the observations of Mr. Lea
on the Anatomy of the Naiades, laid before the Society on the
21st of March last.

219

Cambridge, 26th July, 1851.

My Dear Sir,—I ought lenge ago to have answered your letter re-
specting the Naiades, but pressing engagements have made it an im-
possibility for me to attend to my correspondence for some time past.
Moreover, I did not fully understand the drift of your claim, and con-
scious of duly appreciating the real value of your investigations in
the history of that highly interesting group of mollusks, it did not
occur to me that you could suspect me of even an accidental neglect
of your observations. There cannot be a single naturalist at all con-
versant with that subject, who has not read and studied your nume-
rous and highly valuable papers on the fresh water and land shells, as
well as on the fossils. But I find from the proceedings of the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society, that there is such an apprehension on your
part. Let me therefore say, what you might have already suspected,
even from the very short abstract of my communication published in
the proceedings of the Boston Natural History Society, that my ob-
Ject in investigating the structure of Naiades has been very different
from yours. If you will await the publication of my paper, you will
satisfy yourself that I know exactly who has first observed this or
that fact respecting the organization of these animals, and that I give
every body due credit for what he has done. But I have been testing
the peculiarities of structure of the Naiades with the view of finding
new characters for classifying, cr rather dividing them into genera.
Whether the facts alluded to were known or not, is a matter of no
consequence in this point of view, though many of the points alluded
to by me have not been noticed before, as you will perceive in read-
ing my paper which is soon to appear; and if I use as generic cha-
racters, in dividing the Naiades into many genera, as you will find I
do, peculiarities which have never been used as such, you will, no
doubt, acknowledge that I have introduced new characters in the
classification of these animals, and, as I believe, greatly improved
their natural arrangement. You will, indeed, find that I use as ge-
neric characters, peculiarities which you have considered as having
no other importance than that of affording additional facilities for the
distinction of species; characters which, in your opinion, cannot even
be employed as distinguishing natural groups, since even in your
latest synopsis they are nowhere introduced as such. You will see
moreover, that, whether I am right or wrong is another question, I
have been led by the use of those very characters, in most instances,
to separate from one another species which you have united as form-
ing natural divisions, and to bring together species which you have

Wilks Wo Val

220

separated. As my arrangement now stands, it differs as much as can
be from yours; but I should feel very happy if it meets your appro-
bation when published, and if you are then as fully satisfied as you
seem now to be, that there is no difference between the final result of
your observations and mine.

As [ am anxious that nobody should draw incorrect inferences
from your communication to the Philosophical Society, | beg you will
read this letter to that learned society, and if you have sent abroad
separate copies of your notice, do me the favour to have as many
copies of my letter struck off, and direct it also to your friends.

I trust this explanation will satisfy you that I am the last man
willing to appropriate to himself the observations of others, and | re-
main, as before,

Your sincere friend,
L. AGASSIZ.
I. Lea, Esq., Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, July 29, 1851.

My Dear Sir,—I yesterday received your letter of 26th, and beg
to assure you that I will read it to the Philosophical Society, as you
request. Our next meeting takes place on the 15th of August, and if
I am in town then, I shall not fail to read it. Wiull you permit me to
say that I do not think you have entirely understood my communica-
tion to the Society? My object was simply to reclaim some dis-
coveries made long since by me, which, in the report of the Boston
Natural History Society, are given as the result of investigations re-
cently made by you. [ attributed this, of course, to inadvertence on
your part, but it was nevertheless due to myself to claim what I con-
sider to be the result of my own labours. What you say in your
letter, regarding your own investigations and your intention to estab-
lish a new anatomical system of classification, different from that of
my system, founded on the calcareous envelope of the animal, meets
my hearty concurrence. When I understood, some time since, that
you were making examinations for that purpose, I was rejoiced to
find that you, who were so skilful and experienced in every branch
of comparative anatomy, were giving your analytical powers toa
group in natural history which had delighted me for so many years;
but to which, unhappily, I could not give the time requisite to addi-
tional labour of minute dissection. In supposing that I could have
any possible objection to your working in the same field, or your
forming a different and more natural system, founded on the soft

221

parts of the animal, you have entirely misunderstood me. What I
had done, many years since, in investigating the structure of the
IVaiades, induced me then to believe—and I have never since changed
my opinion—that the best natural arrangement existed in the difference
of structure of the oviducts.

Nothing could give me more pleasure than having co-labourers,
able and masterly like yourself, in this most interesting subject. As
I have intended, for some years past, to take advantage of my first
leisure to publish an extensive monograph of our Natades, all the light
or assistance which I could acquire, from all zoologists, would be
most desirable to me, and whe, in comparative anatomy, could as
well aid in such illustration as yourself, so distinguished in this wide
field of research? Be assured that when your memoir on the struc-
ture and classification of this interesting group of mollusks shall be
published, that I shall consider it as a great advance in this branch
of zoology.

You will see, in what I have said above, that you have misunder-
stood me entirely in supposing that | could, for one moment, have the
slightest objection to your making any arrangement or system that
your great experience and good judgment might dictate. If you will
look again at my reclamation, you will see that I simply desired to
retain the credit of my published observations, which had been
recently stated as new, in the report of the Boston Society of Natural
History, inadvertently, | hoped, on your part. I claim nothing more
whatever, and trust that you will continue your labours without in-
termission, until you shall have accomplished the memoir you are en-
gaged in, and which you are so able to complete.

I repeat that I will read your letter to the American Philosophical
Society, and at the same time I will explain what I have said above,
expressing a hope that you will soon finish your examinations, and
give to science the result. But I am sure, on reflection, you will ex-
cuse me from printing and distributing your letter, which relates to
points on which we do not differ, scarcely touching the simple fact of
the reclamation, which is all I contend for.

Hoping, my dear sir, that in all this you will concur with me,

I am very sincerely and truly yours,
ISAAC LEA.
Prof. L. Aeassiz, Cambridge, Mass.

Pending nominations, Nos. 256 to 262, inclusive, were
read.

Stated Meeting, October 3.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read :—

From the Corporation of the University in Cambridge, Mas-
sachusetts, dated Harvard College, Cambridge, July 16, 1851,
acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of this Society,
No. 46: and—

From M. Quetelet, Secretary of the Royal Academy of Sci-
ence, Letters and the Fine Arts, of Belgium, dated Brussels,
14th September, 1851, announcing the transmission of a dona-
tion to this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. VII. No. 27.
August 1,1851. London. 8vo.—from the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXII. No. 3.
September, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.
American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XLIV. New Series.
October, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, Dr. Isaac

Hays.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 106. Oct. 1851.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

A Manual for Attendants in Hospitals for the Insane. By John Cur-
wen, M.D., Superintendent and Physician of the Pennsylvania
State Lunatic Hospital. Philadelphia, 1851. 12mo0.— From the
Author.

The Field Practice of laying out Circular Curves for Rail Roads.
By John C. Trautwine, Civil Engineer. Philadelphia. 1851.—
From the Author.

Pending nominations, Nos. 256 to 262, inclusive, were
read.

23)

Stated Meeting, October 17.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Parrerrson, President, in the Chair.

Mr. Isaac Hazlehurst, a recently elected member of the So-
ciety, was presented and took his seat.

Letters were read:--

From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin, dated 15th
August, 1850, and 15th August, 1851, announcing donations
to the Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Abhandlungen der Ké6niglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. Jahrgang, 1848 und 1849. 2 vols. 4to. Berlin, 1850,
1851.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin.

Monatsbericht der Kénigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. July, 1849, to June, 1851. Berlin. 8vo.—From the
same.

Preface. Voyage au Ouaday, par le Cheykh Mohammed Ibn-Ormar
el Taunsy. Traduit de lArabe par le Dr. Perron, &c. &c.
Preface par M. Jomard. Paris, 1851. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. 1 sheet.
Vol. IV. pp. 65 to 80. Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXII. No. 4.

October, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 10. October, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Case. Circuit Court of the United
States: Eastern District of Pennsylvania: In Equity. Benjamin
B. French et al. versus Henry J. Rogers et al. 2 vols. 4to.
Philadelphia, September, 1851.—From George Harding, Esq.

Essay on the Classification of Nemertes and Planarize: preceded by
some general considerations on the Primary Divisions of the
Animal Kingdom. By Charles Girard. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 4. October,
185i. Philadelphia. 8yvo.—From F. G. Skinner, Editor.

224

Judge Kane made a verbal communication relative to the
American Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin.

The American party, after passing the “north water” of Baffin’s
bay, passed in a violent storm to Lancaster sound, and thence to Wel-
ington Inlet—a point nearly in the same latitude in which Sir James
Ross thought he had found a magnetic pole. ‘The Americans deter-
mined to be frozen into the pack ice, so as to be able to take advan-
tage of its breaking up in the spring, to prosecute their expedition
northward. The result was, that a few days after being frozen in,
the ice broke loose from the shores and floated northward with the
vessels. North of lat. 75° 30' they saw the line of the western coast
of Greenland, trending N. and W.a line of high cliffs, extending be-
yond the sight. On the left, the shores of Cornwallis’ island were
seen. ‘They landed at different points, and found renewed traces of
the march of parties of Sir John Franklin’s men. While in this lati-
tude, the south wind, which had hitherto carried them northward,
ceased, and they were slowly drifted with the ice, for nearly nine
months, down Wellington channel, and were at last released from the
ice in a latitude easily reached by navigators at almost all seasons ;
proving a southerly current running from N. lat. 75° 30° into the
Atlantic, at the rate of at least four miles per day. Judge K. con-
cluded by giving reasons for believing that Sir John Franklin had
reached this open sea, south of the west coast of Greenland, and that
at least some of his party may still survive.

The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for mem-
bership.

The Committee of Finance reported that the accounts of the
late Treasurer had been examined and found correct: and that
the newly elected Treasurer had given a bond, with sureties,
for the faithful performance of the duties of his office.

All other business having been transacted, the bailot boxes
were opened by the presiding officer, and the following named
gentlemen declared to be duly elected members of the So-
ciety :—

Hon. Groree Suarswoop, of Philadelphia.

Joun Leconte, of New York.

Epwarp Hatitowe :t, M.D. of Philadelphia.

Exisua K. Kane, M.D. of Philadelphia.

James Dunpas, of Philadelphia.

Isaac R. Davis, of Philadelphia.

()
we
(S|

Stated Meeting, November 7.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From Professor Zantedeschi, dated Padua, 10th September,
1851; from John Leconte, dated New York, October 26, 1851;
and from Edward Hallowell, dated Philadelphia, November 5,
1851; severally acknowledging the receipt of notice of their
election as members of this Society.

The following donations were announced :——

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Archives du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle: Publiées par les Profes-
seurs de cet Etablissement. Tome IV.; Livraisons, 1, 2, 3, 4:
Tome V.; Livraisons, 1, 2,3. Paris. 4to.—Fvrom the Museum
of Natural History, Paris.

Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Catalogue de la Collection
Entomologique: classe d’Insectes, Ordre des Coléoptéres: pre-
miére et deuxiéme livraisons. Catalogue Methodique de la Col-
lection des Reptiles: premiere livraison. Paris, 1850-51. 8vo.—
From the same.

Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢me Serie. Tome XVII. Paris, 1851.
8vo.—From the Asiatic Societu of Paris.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. Vol. IV. No. 8. Oct.
1,1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XIX; being the
quarto half volume for the session 1849-50. London, 1851.
4to.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. X. Nov.
1849, to June, 1850. London. S8vo.—From the same.

Contributions to Astronomy and Geodesy ; forming part of Vol. XX.
of the Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. By Thomas
Maclear, Esq., Her Majesty’s Astronomer at the Cape of Good
Hope. London, 1851. 4to.—F'rom the same.

Dell’ Origine e Progresso della Fisica Teorica Sperimentale, nell’
Archiginnasio Padovano: Prelezione del P. Professore di Fisica,
Ab. Francesco Caval. Zantedeschi, membro del Reale Instituto

226

Veneto: letta nel Novembre, 1850. Venezia, 1851. 8vo.—
From the Author.

Giornale Fisico-chimico Italiano, ossia raccolta di scritti risguardanti
la Fisica e la Chimica deg!’ Italiani. Puntata 1, 2,3, 4. Venezia,
1851. 8vo.—From Prof. Zantedeschi.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XII. No. 36. Nov. 1851. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs.
Silliman and Dana, Editors.

Report of the Commissioner. of Patents, for the Year 1850. Part I.
Arts and Manufactures. Washington, 1851. 8vo.—From the
Hon. Thomas Ewbank, Commissioner of Patents.

The Dispensatory of the United States of America. By George B.
Wood, M.D. Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in
the University of Pennsylvania, &c. &c. and Franklin Bache,
M.D. Professor of Chemistry in the Jefferson Medical College of
Philadelphia, &c. &c. Ninth Edition, carefully revised. Phila-
delphia, 1851. 8vo.—From Dr. Franklin Bache.

A History of the Massachusetts General Hospital. By N. J. Bow-
ditch. Boston, 1851. 8vo.— From the Author.

Historia de Mejico, desde lcs primeros movimientos que prepararon
su independencia en el afio 1808, hasta la epoca presente. Por
D. Lucas Alaman. Parte primera. ‘Tomo lV. Mexico, 1851.
8vo.—From the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. [X. No. 107. November,
1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Mr. Lea announced the death of Richard C. Taylor, a mem-
ber of this Society, who died on the 26th ultimo, at the age of
sixty-two. Mr. Lea gave an account of the life of the deceased,
and the services which he had rendered to literature and to
geological science.

It is rarely we have to announce a greater loss to science than it
has sustained in the death of Richard Cowling Taylor, the eminent
Geologist and Mining Engineer, which occurred at his residence in
this city, on the 26th ult. His sudden decease, in the midst of active
professional employment, and scientific pursuits of the highest order,
has deprived this branch of knowledge in our country of one of its
brightest ornaments and most useful labourers. Early educated, in a
thorough manner, in his profession, in his own country, England, he
soon acquired a knowledge of Geology and Mine Engineering, which
brought him in connexion with the best science of the country, and

228

he was made an associate of the Geological Society of London, and
other learned institutions of Great Britain. Immediately on his quit-
ting his studies he was engaged in the practice of his profession, and
he lent his services to the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain, the
British Iron Company, &c. &c. While engaged in South Wales he
made a report to this company, which drew the general attention of
men of science to him, and particularly in regard to the executien of
a model of part of the coal and iron district of South Wales. This
model caused the Gold Isis Medal to be conferred upon him by the
“Society of Arts” of London. It was the first model of the kind
which had been executed, and it drew so much attention that Sir
Francis Chantry had a copy made of it for Dr. Buckland.

In 1881, Mr. Taylor came to this country, and resided some years
in Philadelphia, in this State. Shortly after, he was engaged ina
survey of the coal field of Tioga county, and, subsequently, in the
western district of the southern coal field of Pennsylvania, in Dauphin
county. Of the latter he made a model, which, in point of scientific
exactness and artistical excellence, has not, it is believed, ever been
surpassed, if it has ever been equalled, embracing, as it does, the exact
geology and topography of 45 miles by 15, the length being 14 feet.
From the time of Mr. Taylor’s arrival in this country until his death,
he was actively employed either in the field, under professional en-
gagements, or at his table, in perfecting his observations, and giving
them in the form of most valuable contributions to the science of ge-
ology, in the journals and transactions of our learned societies. His
engagements in most of the mineral districts of the United States, and
in many cases beyond the limits of the States, produced professional
reports of such a character as to remain models worthy of all praise
and imitation. ‘They were universally marked by a character so
thorough and so candid as induced the most unbounded confidence in
all who sought his professional assistance.

Mr. Taylor’s first literary production was a learned work, entitled
“Index Monasticus,” in 1 vol. folio, which met with so much favour
as to induce him to undertake another learned work, called “ A Gene-
ral Index to Dugdale’s Monasticon Anglicanum,” in 1 vol. folio, with
maps and plates. In the transactions of the Geological Society of
London, and in the Magazine of Natural History, he published va-
rious geological papers, viz: on the Crag Strata of Bramerton; on
the Chalk Strata of Norfolk and Suffolk; on the Progress of Geo-
logy ; Introduction to Geology; Illustrations of Antediluvian Zoology
and Botany. In the American Scientific Journals—Geological posi-

Wilks Vo) Il

228

tion of certain beds, which contain numerous Fossil Marine Plants in
Mifflin county, Pa; on the Transition and Secondary Coal Formations
in Pennsylvania; Existence of an Ancient Lake in Mifflin county ;
Coal Field of Blossburg; Bituminous Coal field near Richmond, Va.;
Section (250 miles) in Virginia and Maryland; The Copper Region,
Gibara in Cuba; Fossil Plants in Dauphin county Coal Field; Notes
on Indian mounds and Earthworks; and other minor papers.

Mr. Taylor’s great work, however, is his ‘“ Statistics of Coal,”
published in this city, in 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 754, in 1848. ‘This was
the result of the labours of a long life—facts stored up with the most
unremitting care, and digested with an order worthy of all praise.
The reviewers of England and this country gave it their highest ap-
proval and unstinted commendation. The Edinburgh Review con-
sidered his “inquiries to have been extended with marvellous industry
and perseverance to every part of the globe.” The Journal of the
Franklin Institute stated that it could scarcely be thought possible that
one individual could have collected such a mass of facts. Hunt’s
Merchant’s Magazine stated in its notice, that ‘‘on no kindred subject,
has a more complete and perfect treatise ever been produced.”

The services of Mr. Taylor in economic geology and theoretic geo-
logy naturally attracted the attention of learned bodies to him, and
accordingly we find him a member of the Geological Society of Lon-
don, the American Philosophical Society, the Academy of Natural
Sciences, the Geological Society of Pennsylvania, the Franklin Insti-
tute, &c. of this city, and the American Association for the Advance-
ment of Science. In all these Societies his loss will be deeply de-
plored, and his more intimate friends feel that his place cannot be
easily filled, when ripe judgment, mature experience, and accurate
knowledge are required in the scope of those sciences which he culti-
vated.

Dr. F. Bache announced the death of Don Manuel Godoy,
a member of this Society, who died at Paris, on the 7th ultimo,
in the 86th year of his age.

New nominations, Nos. 263, 264 and 265, were read.

229

Stated Meeting, November 21.
Present, twenty members.
Jupege Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Drs. Edward Hallowell and Elisha K. Kane, newly elected
members, were presented to the presiding officer, and took
their seats.

Letters were read:—

From Lieut. Col. Edward Sabine, dated Woolwich, October
20, 1851, announcing a donation to the Society :—

From W. H. Prescott, dated Boston, November 15, 1851,
presenting, on the part of the author, the third volume of Don
Lucas Alaman’s History of Mexico, which volume had not
been previously received: and—

From Isaac R. Davis, dated Philadelphia, November 21,
1851, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a
member of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY-

Historia de Mejico, desde los primeros movimientos que prepararon
su independencia en el aiio 1808, hasta la epoca presente. Por
Don Lucas Alaman. Tomo III. Mexico, 1850. 8vo.—From
W. H. Prescott, for Don Lucas Alaman.

Meteorological Register for twelve years, from 1831 to 1842, inclu-
sive: compiled from observations made by Officers of the Medical
Department of the Army, at the Military Posts of the United
States. Prepared under the direction of Brevet Brig. Gen. Thos.
Lawson, Surgeon General U. S. Army. Washington, 1851.
8vo.—From General Lawson.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXII. No.
5. November, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVII. No. 11. November, 1850.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Progress of Medicine during the first half of the Nineteenth Century:
being an Introductory Lecture to the Spring Session in the Phila-
delphia College of Medicine; delivered March 17, 1851. By

230

James Bryan, M.D. Professor of Institutes and Medical Jurispru-
dence. Philadelphia, 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

A Historical Sketch of Surgery, from the Revival of Literature to the
end of the Seventeenth Century: being an Introductory Lecture
to a Course on Surgery in Geneva Medical College, N. Y. By
James Bryan, M.D. Geneva, 1851.— From the same.

Letters on the Resources and Commerce of Philadelphia; from Job
R. Tyson to William Peter, Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul for
Pennsylvania. With Mr. Peter’s answer prefixed. Philadelphia,
1851. S8vo.—From the Author.

Moral Education. A Lecture delivered at New Bedford, Aug. 16,
1842, before the American Institute of Instruction. By George
B. Emerson, President of the Institute. Boston, 1842. 8vo.—
From James J. Barclay, Esq.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. [V. No.5. Novem-
ber, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Editor.

Dr. Boyé exhibited, for the inspection of the Society, a speci-
men of Iron Pyrites, containing some Copper Pyrites, and
about 4% per cent. of Nickel, from the “Gap Mine,” in Lan-
caster county, Pennsylvania. The mineral has a peculiar co-
lour and lustre.

The proceedings of the Board of Officers and Council at their
last meeting, were read. :

Mr. Trego stated that there are certain instruments and arti-
cles of apparatus belonging to the Society, in the possession of
individuals, of the lending of which there does not appear to
have been any record made: Whereupon it was resolved, on
motion of Mr. Fraley, that the Curators and Librarian be re-
quested to prepare a catalogue of the apparatus belonging to
the Society, and to reclaim such articles as may not now be in
possession of the Society.

Mr. Peale, one of the Curators, informed the Society, that
Mr. Jacob G. Morris had proposed to arrange the collection of
coins and medals belonging to the Society, and had obtained
the sanction of the Curators for that purpose.

Pending nominations, Nos. 263, 264 and 265, and new
nominations, Nos. 266, 267 and 268, were read.

231

Stated Meeting, December 5.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacus, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, dated
ist November, 1849, and 10th and 18th October, 1850, accom-
panying donations for the Library and Cabinet of the So-
ciety :—

From the Royal Institute of Sciences, Belles Lettres and
Arts, of the Netherlands, dated Amsterdam, 2d Sept. 1851,
announcing a donation to the Society’s Library :—

From Edward John Tilt, M.D. of London, dated Oct. 30,
1851, accompanying a present to the Society of two medical
works of which he is the author: and —

From the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia,
dated 10th October, 1851, acknowledging the receipt of the
last published number of the Society’s Proceedings.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Konel. Vetenskaps Akademiens Handlingar, fér ar 1847, och 1848.
I. I]. Stockholm, 1849. 8vo.—From the Royal Academy of
Sciences at Stockholm.

Ofversigt af Kong]. Vetenskaps Akademiens Férhandlingar : 7—10.
1848, 1849. Stockholm, 1850. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Arsberattelse om Technologiens Framsteg till Kongl. Vetenskaps
Akademien, afgifven den 31 Mars, 1842, 1843, 1844—1846, af
J. E. Pasch. Stockholm. 8vo.—/From the same.

Arsberattelse om Botaniska Arbeten och Upptackter for aren 1843,
1844, till Kongl. Vetenskaps Akademien, afgifna den 31 Mars,
dren 1843, 1844, af Joh. Em. Wilkstrém. I. II. Sockholm,
1849. 8vo.—From the same.

Arsberiittelse om Framstegen i Kemi, under ar 1847, 1848, afgifven
till Kongl. Vetenskaps Akademien, af L. F. Svanberg. Stock-
holm, 1849, 1850. 8yvo.—From the same.

Sak-och Nam-Register ofver alla af Berzelius till Kongl. Vetenskaps

232

Akademien afgifna Arsberattelser, (1821—1847). Utgifvet af
A. Wiemer. Stockholm, 1850. 8vo.— From the same.

Tal hallet vid Presidii nedlaggande uti Kongl. Vetenskaps Akade-
mien, den 11 April, 1849, af L. F. Svanberg. Stockholm, 1849.
8vo.— From the same.

Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Nederlandsche
Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten te
Amsterdam. Derde Reeks. Vierde Deel. Amsterdam, 1851.
Ato.—From the Royal Netherlands Institute of Science, Belles
Lettres and Arts.

Tijdschrift voor de Wis-en Natuurkundige Wetenschappen, uitgegeven
door de Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche Instituut
van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten. Vierde
Deel. Aflevering 1, 2, 3, 4. Amsterdam, 1851.—From the
same.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. VI. No. 1.
1851. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. V. No. 11. September and October, 1851. 8vo.—From
the Academy.

A Memoir of Samuel George Morton, M.D., late President of the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. By Charles D.
Meigs, M.D. Read November 6, 1851, and published by direc-
tion of the Academy. Philadelphia, 1851. Svo.—From the
same.

On the Diseases of Menstruation and Ovarian Inflammation, in con-
nexion with Sterility, Pelvic Tumours, and Affections of the
Womb. By Edward John Tilt, M.D., Physician to the Farring-
don General Dispensatory, &c. &c. London, 1850. 8yvo.—
From the Author.

On the Preservation of the Health of Women at the Critical Periods
of Life. By E. J. Tilt, M.D., Senior Physician to the Farringdon
General Dispensary and Lying-in-Rospital, &c. &c. London,
1851. 8vo.—From the same.

On the Genus Acostea of D’Orbigny, a Fresh Water Lamellibranchia.
By Isaac Lea. (Journal Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., Nov. 1851).
Ato.—From the Author.

Obituary Notice of Richard C. Taylor. By Isaac Lea. (Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Philad. Vol. V. No. 11). 8vo.—From the same.
Physical Education: the only Solid Foundation of Moral and I[ntel-

lectual Culture and Development: An Address delivered before

233

the Linnean Association of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania, at the Annual Commencement, Sept. 19, 1851.
By Washington L. Atlee, M.D., Professor of Medical Chemistry
in the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College. Gettysburg,
1851. 8vo.—From Prof. M. L. Stoever.

The Life of William Penn; with Selections from his Correspondence
and Autobiography. By Samuel M. Janney. Philadelphia, 1852.
8vo.—Frem the Author.

A New Method of Calculating the Cubic Contents of Excavations and
Embankments, by the aid of Diagrams. By John C. Trautwine,
Civil Engineer. Philadelphia, 1851.—From the Author.

FOR THE CABINET.
A Silver Medal, struck by the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stock-
holm, in memory of the Baron Berzelius; bearing his effigy, with

devices and inscriptions.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences,
Stockholm.

Mr. Justice called the attention of the members to a para-
graph in Arthur Young’s Travels in France, published in Dub-
lin, in 1793, in which the author describes a mode of commu-
nicating ideas by means of electricity, through an alphabet
indicated by the movements of the electrometer. According
to Mr. Young, this was an invention of Mons. Lomond, of
Paris, and practised by him in October, 1787.

The Treasurer presented his report, which was read and re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance.

The Committee of Publication presented their annual re-
port.

No communication was offered for the Magellanic Pre-
mium.

Pending nominations, Nos. 263 to 268, inclusive, and new
nomination, No. 269, were read.

234

Stated Meeting, December 19.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Parrrrson, President, in the Chair.

A letter was read:—

From Rear Admiral Don Juan José Martinez, dated Madrid,
May 3, 1851, announcing a donation from him to the Library
of the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory
at the Cape of Good Hope. Printed by order of Her Majesty’s
Government, under the superintendence of Lieut. Col. Edward
Sabine, of the Royal Artillery. Vol. I. Magnetical Observations,
1841 to 1846: with abstracts of the Observations from 1841 to
1850, inclusive. London, 1851. 4to.—From the British Go-
vernment, through Col. Sabine.

Contributions to Astronomy and Geodesy ; forming part of Vol. XX.
of the Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. By Thomas
Maclear, Esq., F.R.A.S., Her Majesty’s Astronomer at the
Cape of Good Hope. Printed at the expense of the Board of
Admiralty. London, 1851. 4to.—F'rom the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. No.
9. Supplement. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. V.
No. 4 & 5. September, 1851. New York. 8vo.—From the
Lyceum.

A Catalogue of the Library of Harvard University, in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. 5 vols., including supplement of 1834. Cam-
bridge, 1830, 1834. 8vo.—From the President and Fellows of
Harvard College, by T. W. Harris, the Librarian, through
Dr. Elwyn.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, (not
previously received). Vol. IV. Nos. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12,
with Title page and Index. Vol. V. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4,6, 7,8, 9,10.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Academy.

First and Second Supplements to the Catalogue of Books belonging

239

to the Library Company of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1844,
1849. 8vo.—From the Library Company.

Diccionario Marino, Ingles-Espaiiol y Espaiol-Ingles, para el uso del
Collegio Naval. Por el Jefe de Escuadra de la Armada, Don
Juan José Martinez de Espinosa y Tacon, Comandante General
de la Artilleria y de Infanteria de Marina, &c. &c. Madrid,
1849. 2 vols. 8vo.— From the Author.

Coleccion completa de Tablas, para los usos de la Navegacion y As-
tronomica Nautica. Por el Capitan de Navio que fué de la
Armada, Don Juan José de Mendoza y Rios, de la Real Sociedad
de Londres. Edicion Esterotipica, corregida y aumentada, dis-
puesta por el Gefe de Escuadra, Don Juan José Martinez de Espi-
nosa y Tacon, de la Sociedad Filosofia Americana, Comandante
General de Artilleria y de Infanteria de Marina, &c. &c. Primera
tirada. Madrid, 1850. 4to.—From Don Juan José de Martinez.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIi. No. 12. December, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 108. December,
1851. Philadelphia. Svo.—From Blanchard § Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. 1V. No. 6. Decem-
ber, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor, F. G. Skin-
ner, Esq.

A Collection of Pamphlets, 64 in number, containing Public Docu-
ments of the Cities of Boston and Roxbury: Reports of the New
England and Perkins Institution for the Blind; of the Directors of
the Western Rail Road; of Harvard College: Registration of
Births, Marriages and Deaths in Massachussetts, from May 1,
1848, to January 1, 1850: with sundry Pamphlets on Insanity
and other Medical subjects.—From Dr. Edward Jarvis.

Dr. Dunglison announced the death of the Rev. Charles
Gutzlaff, a member of this Society, who died at Canton, in
China, on the 9th of August, 1851, in the forty-eighth year of
his age.

Prof. A. D. Bache made an oral communication on the sub-
ject of the tides in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Committee of Finance reported that they had examined
the accounts of the Treasurer, and found them correct. On
the recommendation of this Committee, the following appro-
priations were made for the current fiscal year.

VOL. V.—2 K

Proceedings, - - - - - $100
Binding, - - - - - - 50
Journals, - - - - - - 100
General account, - - - - 1000
Hall, - - - - - - - - 50

1300

Pending nominations, Nos. 263 to 269, inclusive, and new
nomination, No. 270, were read.

Stated Meeting, January 2, 1852.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

The judges and clerks of the election held this day, reported
the election of the following officers of the Society :—

President.
Robert M. Patterson.

Vice- Presidents.
Dr. Franklin Bache,
Alexander Dallas Bache,
Hon. John K. Kane.

Secretaries.
Dr. Robley Dunglison,
John F. Frazer,
Charles B. Trego,
E. Otis Kendall.

Members of the Council for Three Years.
Thomas Biddle,
Isaac Lea,
Hartman Kuhn,
Alfred L. Elwyn,
For one year, in place of W. Hembel, deceased.
Dr. Isaac Hays.

207

Curators.
Franklin Peale,
John C. Cresson,
M. Fisher Longstreth.

Treasurer.

Charles B. Trego.

A letter was read: —

From the Secretaries of the Literary and Philosophical So-
ciety of Manchester, dated Nov. 27, 1851, transmitting thanks
for Nos. 45 and 46 of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XX. Parts
1 and 2, with Vol. XIX. Part 2, containing the Results of the
Makerstoun Magnetical and Meteorological Observations for 1845,
1846. Edinburgh. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. II. No. 35
to Vol. III. No. 41. December, 1849, to March, 1851. Edin-
burgh. 8vo.—From the same.

Report to General Sir Thomas Makdougal Brisbane, Baronet, &c.
&c. on the completion of the publication of the Observations made
in his Observatory at Makerstoun. By John Allan Broun, late
Director of the Observatory. Edinburgh, 1850. 4to.—From
the same.

Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, for the Year 1850-51.
Vol. V. Part 1. Dublin, 1851. 8vo.—From the Academy.

Journal of the Ethnological Society of London. Vol. I. 1848. Vol.
If. 1850. London and Edinburgh. 8vo.—F rom the Society.

Remarks on the Nature, Objects and Evidences of Ethnological Sci-
ence: An Address read at the Ethnological Society, at a Con-
versazione on Wednesday, June 4, 1851. By Richard Cull,
Fellow and Honorary Secretary of the Ethnological Society.
London. 8vo.—From the same.

Elementa di Fisica Generale e Sperimentale, ad uso delle Regie Scuole
di Filosofia, di G. D. Botto, Professore di Fisica Generale e Speri-
mentale nella R. Universita di Torino, &c. &c. ‘Torino, 1850.
8vo.—From the Author.

Catechismo Agrologico, ossia Principii di Scienza applicata all’ Agri-

238

coltura, del Cav. G. D. Botto, Prof. nella R. Universita di Torino,
1846. 8vo.—From the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XI. pp-
233 to 248, with Title Page and Index. London, 1851. 8vo.—
From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Nov. 1851.
pp: 81 to96. Boston. Svo.—From the Society.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 37.
January, 1852. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silliman
and Dana, Editors.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXII. No.
6. Dec. 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

On the Progress of Recent Science: A Lecture Introductory to the
Course of Practice of Medicine. By J. K. Mitchell, M.D. Profes-
sor in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia: Delivered
November 13, 1851. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Author.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. VII. No. 28.
Nov. 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Nautisches Jahrbuch, oder vollstandige Ephemeriden und Tafeln fir
das Jahr, 1852, und 1853, &c. &c. Herausgegeben von Dr.
C. Bremiker, Plankammer Inspector im Kénigl. Preuss. Minis-
terium, &c. 2 vols. Berlin, 1850. 8vo.—From Dr. G. A.
Jahn.

General-Register der Bande I. bis XX. der Astronomischen Nachrich-
ten. Ausgearbeitet von G. A. Jahn, Dr. Philos. Director der
Astronomischen Gesellschaft zu Leipzig, &c. &c. Hamburg,
1851. 4to.—From the same.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the death of the Hon. Joel
R. Poinsett, a member of this Society, who died December 12,
1851, in the 73d year of his age.

On motion, it was resolved that Mr. Henry D. Gilpin be re-
quested to prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Poinsett.

Pending nominations, Nos. 263 to 270, inclusive, were
read.

209

Stated Meeling, January 16.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read: —

From the Etat Major of the Corps of Mining Engineers of
Russia, dated St. Petersburg, July 7, 1851; and from the Royal
Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, dated Stockholm, Sept.
20, 1851, both accompanying donations to this Society :—

From the Geographical Society of London, dated Oct. 28,
1851; and from the Society of Antiquaries, dated Somerset
House, 24th Noy. 1851, acknowledging the receipt of No. 46,
of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Annales de ’Observatoire Physique Central de Russie: Publieés par
ordre de sa Majesté l’Empereur Nicolas I. sous les auspices de
M. le Comte Wrontchenko, Ministre des Finances et Chef du
Corps des Ingénieurs des Mines. Par A. 'T. Kupffer, Directeur
de Observatoire Physique Central. Année, 1848. Nos. 1, 2, 3.
St. Petersburg, 1851. 4to.—From the Etat Major of the Corps
of Mining Engineers of Russia.

Compte Rendu Annuel, adressé a M. le Comte Wrontchenko, Minis-
tre des Finances. Par le Directeur de l’Observatoire Physique
Central, A. T. Kupffer. Année, 1859. St. Petersbourg, 1851.
A4to.—From the same.

Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar for ar 1849. Stock-
holm, 1851. 8vo.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences,
Stockholm.

Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Férhandlingar. Sjunde
Argangen, 1850. Stockholm, 1851. 8vo.—From the same.
Arsberattelser om Botaniska Arbeten och Upptickter for aren 1845,
1846, 1847 och 1848, till Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien afgifna
den 31 Mars, 4ren 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, af Joh. Em. Wik-
strom. Foérra Delen. Stockholm, 1850. 8vo.—From the same.

Arsberittelse om Framstegen i Insekternas, Myriapodernas och Ara-
chnidernas Natural-historia, for 1847 och 1848, till Kongl. Veten-

240

skaps-Akademien afgilven af C. H. Boheman. Stockholm, 1851.
8vo.—From the same.

Arsber ttelse om Technologiens Framsteg, till Kongl. Vetenskaps-
Akademien, afgifven den 31 Mars, 1845, af G. E. Pasch. Stock-
holm, 1851. S8vo.—From the same.

Berattelse om Framstegen i Fysik, under ar 1849; afeifven till Kongl.
Vetenskaps-Akademien af E. Edlund. Stockholm, 1851. 8vo.—
From the same.

Joh. Paul Thun’s Neues Biicherverzeichnisz; 1846, 7, 8. 12 vols.
8vo. Leipzig. —From Dr. J. G. Fliigel, U. S. Consul at
Leipzig.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. No.1. January, 1852.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Contributions to Conchology. No. 10. By Prof. C. B. Adams. Am-
herst College, Mass., Nov. 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XLV. New
Series. January, 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaac
Hays, Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 109. January, 1852.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Dr. Franklin Bache announced the death of Professor Moses
Stuart, of Andover, Massachusetts, a member of this Society,
who died on the 4th of the present month, in the seventy-first
year of his age.

Mr. Lea presented a Table of Meteorological Observations
made at Napa-keang, Loo Choo Islands, in 1848, by Dr. Bettel-
heim, which was referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof.
Frazer, Mr. R. A. Tilghman and Mr. Lea.

Prof. Frazer offered to the Society a Philological Paper, by
Prof. Alexander, of Baltimore, entitled “ Glossarit Novi An-
glicani Syngenesiact Spicilegium,’’ which was referred to a
Committee, consisting of Mr. Trego, Dr. Demmé and Dr.
Dunglison.

Mr. Lea read a paper by the late Richard C. Taylor, and re-
marked that it was the rough draft of a memoir intended for
the Transactions of the Society, which Mr. Taylor was en-
gaged in at the time of his death. As the article was not
finished, nor the map referred to prepared, Mr. Lea proposed
that the memoir in its unfinished state shonld be published in

241

the Proceedings, in precisely the state left by Mr. Taylor, ex-
cept that the blank references to pages in the Transactions
should be filled up. With the exception therefore of the re-
ferences, the following is given from the manuscript as left by
our deceased member.

On a Vien of Asphaltum at Hillsborough, in Albert County, Pro-
vince of New Brunswick. By Richard C. Taylor.

On the 19th of August, 1836, I had the honour of communicating
to the American Philosophical Society, a notice of certain veins of
Asphaltum or Chapapote, in the Island of Cuba, together with some
illustrative diagrams thereon. At that time, I believe no instance had
been made known of the existence of true Asphaltum on the North
American continent. Allusion has been slightly made to the occur-
rence of some soft variety of mineral pitch or petroleum in Texas,
but no details have reached us.

It is only in recent times that a deposit of remarkably pure and
brilliant asphalte has attracted attention in the Province of New Bruns-
wick. Like the Chapapote of Cuba, the New Brunswick mineral
has been commonly spoken of as a species of coal, and has been
shipped and sold at the ports of the United States and Nova Scotia,
under that denomination. Some material differences of opinion have
been maintained, even among men of acknowledged scientific ac-
quirements, and while some have asserted its identity with bitumin-
ous coal, others place the substance among the purest variety of as-
phalte. There are other circumstances, not directly essential to the
object of the present communication, which await the decision of the
legal tribunals of the provinces, but the principal fact which, in the
first instance, was sought to be established, is the nature, character
and properties of the mineral products found in the Hillsborough mine.

After a sufficient investigation of the mine, and of the geological
circumstances under which it occurs, there appear to exist no grounds
for denominating the mineral contents by any other name than As-
phaltum.

The evidence from which this conclusion was formed, was detailed
at some length in a printed document, originating at Halifax, N. S.*

* Supreme Court, Halifax, N. 8. Abraham Gesner vs. Halifax Gas Light
Company. Deposition of Richard C. Taylor, respecting the asphaltum mine
at Hillsborough, in the County of Albert and Province of New Brunswick.
Illustrated by a map and diagrams. Philadelphia, 1851.

242

On the present occasion we proceed to condense this description,
seeing that the subject is replete with geological interest, and that it
is apparently the first Asphaltum vein which has been described or
even discovered on the North American continent.

The examination of the Hillsborough mine was made in conjunc-
tion with Professor James Robb, of Fredericton College, N. B., in
May, 1851, and a joint report was made by us on that occasion.*

It was at once apparent that the mineral substance of the Hills-
borough or Albert mine occurs at a very high angle, which varied
from nearly perpendicular to within 10 to 20 degrees of verticality.
Its position is in the midst of a formation which consists of highly bitu-
minous calcareous or marley shale, in which several species of ganoid
fossil fishes, of the genus Paleoniscus, abound. None of the usual
varieties of coal vegetation were observed by us, but it was stated that
a very few obscure traces had been noticed by others.

In the progress of the geological investigation, [ was struck wiih
the resemblance of this deposit to those of the Asphaltum or Chapa-
pote in the Island of Cuba, described in Vol. VI. of the Transactions
of this Society, and its general conformity to the configuration shown
in the diagrams there given from admeasurements made on the spot.

The opposite sides or walls of the Hillsborough vein are very dis-
similar at certain points, yet, at intervals, for short distances, they
are parallel and conformable.

It is obvious that the two sides cannot be parallel, since the vein,
like those near Havana, is in form of a wedge, whose thinnest edge
is upwards, and enlarging from about a foot at the outcrop to 13 or
14 feet, at some 40 or 50 feet depth below the surface.

It has neither a true roof nor floor. [t has no overlying nor under-
lying fire clay. It exhibits no coal plants, nor organic traces, as in
coal seams. It possesses no conformable /amination, horizontally or
longitudinally, as in coal and coal seams. Instead of this, the di-
visional planes are arranged transversely ; i. e. at right angles to
the sides of the vein, as we observed was the case in the Chapapote
veins of Cuba.

The conclusion which we could not fail to arrive at from the con-
sideration of these phenomena, was that the New Brunswick vein of
Asphalte occupies a line of dislocation, an anticlinal axis in fact,
which tilted off the bordering strata, in opposite directions to either
side, for a considerable area ; the amount of inclination being reduced

* Joint Geological Report.

245

or flattened in proportion to the increased distance from the central
line of fracture.

It was ascertained, by instrumental observation, that this line of
dislocation runs parallel with the Caledonia mountain range, which
stretches for 80 miles, nearly ina S. W. direction, conformably to
the northern coast of the Bay of Fundy. ‘The Caledonia mountain
range, it must be stated, is composed of trap, basalt, metamorphic
slates, porphyry, sienite and other plutonic rocks.

An important feature in the Hillsborough vein must not be over-
looked. It is the occasional tendency to throw off smaller branches,
as in the Asphaltum veins of Cuba. One of the most remarkable in-
stances is sketched, at Fig. 4, in the accompanying map; where the
main vein, after ramifying and after receiving and giving off several
small branches, reunites in one principal vein as before. The inter-
mediate spaces between these branches are occupied by slates and
worthless rock, which disturb the arrangements of the miners, and
are called by them “ horses.”

Mr. Fraley referred to a prevalent opinion in the coal re-
gion of Schuylkill county, that the veins of white ash coal un-
derlie the red ash veins, which has been confirmed by some
recent explorations at St. Clair, in that county.

The Society next proceeded to the election of Librarian, and
Mr. Trego was re-elected.

The following standing committees were elected.

Of Finance —Mr. Lea (Chairman), Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fra-
ley.

On the Hali—Judge Kane (Chairman), Mr. F. Peale, Mr.
Justice.

On ihe Library—-Dr. Hays (Chairman), Mr. Campbell,
Mr. Ord.

Of Publication—Mr. Lea (Chairman), Dr. Hays, Mr. J.
Francis Fisher.

A list of the surviving members of the Society was read,
from which it appears that the number on the first of January,
1852, was 361, of whom are resident in the United States 260,
and in foreign countries 101.

The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for mem-
bership.

All the other business of the meeting having been disposed

VOL. V.— 21

244

of, the ballot boxes were opened, and the following named can-
didates were declared by the presiding officer to have been
duly elected members of the Society :—

Francis Gurney Smiru, M.D., of Philadelphia.
Joun Forsytu Meties, M.D., of Philadelphia.
Hon. Epwarp Kine, of Philadelphia.

Dr. Grorce N. Ecxerrt, of Philadelphia.

Lieut. Cuartes Henry Davis, U. S. Navy.

Prof. J. W. Bartey, U.S. Mil. Acad. West Point.
Micuet Cueva ier, of Paris.

ALFRED Stiiiz, M.D., of Philadelphia.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vor. V. FEBRUARY—DECEMBER, 1852. No. 48.

Stated Meeting, February 6.

Present, seventeen members.

Dr. Parrerrson, President, in the Chair.

Francis G. Smith, jr., M. D., a newly elected member, was
presented, and took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From Francis G. Smith, jr., dated January 17; from J. For-
syth Meigs, dated Jan. 19; from George W. Eckert, dated
Jan. 19; from Edward King, dated Jan. 19; from Charies
Henry Davis, dated Washington, Jan. 27; from J. W. Bailey,
dated West Point, Jan. 27; and from Alfred Stille, dated Phi-
ladelphia, Jan. 29, 1852,—severally acknowledging the receipt
of notice of their election as members of the Society :—

From the Zoological Society of London, dated 11 Hanover

' Square, returning thanks for the Proceedings of this Society,
Nos. 43 and 44:—

From the Secretary of l’Ecole des Mines, dated Paris, Sept.
20, 1851, announcing a donation to the Library of the So-
ciety :—

From Lieut. M. F. Maury, dated Observatory, Washington,
1852, inviting the co-operation of the Society in a general
system of meteorological observations: and—

From Peter A. Browne, Esq., dated Philadelphia, Jan. 30,
1852, offering to exhibit to the Society a collection of fine
wools, grown in Saxony, and presented to him by the king of
that country.

VOL. V.—2 M

246

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Quatriéme Série. Tome I.
Paris. 1851. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.

Annales des Mines. Quatri¢me Série. Tome XIX. 2 & 3 livr. de
1851. Paris. 8vo.—F rom the Ecole des Mines.

Minéralogie: Extraits par M. Delesse, du Tome XIX. des Annales
des Mines. 1851.—From M. Delesse.

Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Vol. IV. Part 1.
London. 1850. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Nos. 206 to 213
inclusive. London. 1850. 8vo.—From the same.

An Inquiry into M. Antoine d’Abbadie’s Journey to Kaffa, in the
years 1843 and 1844, to discover the Source of the Nile. Lon-
don. 1851. 8vo:—and

A Summary of Recent Nilotic Discovery. By Charles T. Beke,
Ph. D. F. 8. A., &c. (Read to Brit. Assoc. at Ipswich, July 4,
1851.) 8vo.—From the Author.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History; Dec. 1851.
pp- 97 to 128. Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. No.
1. May, 1851. No. 2, Nov. 1851. Philadelphia. Svo.—From
the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXIII. No. 1.
Jan. 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Instiiuie.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. No. 2. February, 1852.
Washington. 8vo.—From the Am. Colonization Society.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. IJ. Part 2. Philada. Jan. 1852. 4to.—From the
Academy.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. V. No. 12. Philada. Dec. 1851. 8vo.—From the same.

Report of Gen. J. G. Totten, Chief Engineer, on the subject of Na-
tional Defences. Washington. 1851. 8vo.—from the Author.

Correspondence in relation to a Universal System of Meteorological
Observations, for the Sea as well as for the Land. Washing-
ton. 1851. 8vo.—From Lieut. M. F. Maury.

The Plough, the Loomand the Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 7. Jan. 1852.
N. York and Philada. 8vo.—From the Editor.

247

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 110. February,
1852. Philada. 8vo.—Frem Blanchard & Lea.

Twenty-fourth Annual Report of Managers of the House of Refuge.
Philada. 1852. 8vo.—From James J. Barclay, Esq.

The Committee to which was referred the Meteorological
observations made at Napa-Keang, Loo Choo, by Dr. Bettel-
heim, made report, recommending the publication of the paper
in the Transactions of the Society, which was accordingly or-
dered.

Mr. Trego announced the decease of Harmar Denny, Esq.,
of Pittsburg, a member of this Society, who died on the 29th
of January last, in the 58th year of his age.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, the communication from Lieut.
Maury was referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Fra-
zer, Mr. Cresson and Mr. Justice.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, the Secretary was directed to
transmit to P. A. Browne, Esq., the thanks of the Society for
his offer to exhibit the specimens of fine Saxony wools sent to
him by the king of Saxony,—and to inform Mr. Browne that
the Society will be happy if he will exhibit them at their rooms
on Friday next, at 4 o’clock, P. M.

There being in the Cabinet of the Society, a collection of
coins and medals, deposited 21st June, 1816, by Mr. David
Parish, since deceased, the Secretary was directed to write to
Mr. George Parish, of Ogdensburg, N. Y., inquiring of him
whether there is any legai representative of the late Mr. Da-
vid Parish.

New nominations, Nos. 271 and 272 were read.

Stated Meeting, February 20.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Parrrerson, President, in the Chair.

Judge King, a member recently elected, was presented and
took his seat.

248

Letters were read: —

From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated
Munich, Ist February, 1850, and 25th June, 1851, acknow-
ledging the receipt of Vol. X. Part 1, of the Transactions, and
Nos. 36—44 of the Proceedings of this Society;—and also
announcing a donation from the Academy for the Society’s
Library.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Abhandlungen der Mathematisch—Physikalischen Classe der K6-
niglichen Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band V.
Abth. 3. Band VI. Abth. 1. Miinchen, 1850, 1851. 4to.—
From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences.

Bulletin der Kénigl. Akademie der Wissenschaften. 1849, 1850.
Miinchen. 4to.—F rom the same.

Gelehrte Anzeigen: Herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der Konigl.
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vols. 28, 29, 30,
31. 1849,1850. Miinchen. 4to.— From the same.

Almanach der Kénigl. Bayer. Akad. der Wissenschaften, fur das
Jahr 1849. Miinchen. 8vo.—From the same.

Annaien der Kénigl. Sternwarte bei Miinchen. Bande II. III. IV.
Miinchen, 1849, 1850. S8vo.—From the same.

Schilderung der Naturverhaltnisse in Stid Abyssinien. Fest Rede,
&c. Von Dr. J. H. Roth. Miinchen, 1851. 4to.—From the
same.

Ueber den Antheil der Pharmacie an der Entwicklung der Chemie.
Fest Rede, &c. Von Dr. Ludwig Andreas Buchner, jr. Miin-
chen. 1849. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. PViolaexiile
No.1. Nov. 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Chernical Society. Vol. [V. No. 16. Jan.
1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester.
Second Series. Vol. IX. London. 1851. Syvo.—From the
Society.

Mémoires de ’ Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg.
VI. Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles.
Tome VI. Premicre Partie. Sciences Mathématiques et Physiques.

249
Tome IV. Livraisons 3 and 4. St. Petersbourg, 1850. 4to.—
From the Academy.

Mémoires présentés a l’Académie Imperiale des Sciences de St. Pe-
tersbourg. Par Divers Savants, et lus dans ses assemblées. Tome
VI. Livraisons 5 and 6. St. Petersbourg, 1851. 4to.—From
the same.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Contributions to the Na-
tural History of the Fresh water Fishes of North America. By
Charles Girard. I. A. Monograph of the Cottoids. Washington,
1851.—Frrom the Smithsonian Institution.

Fifth Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution to the Senate and House of Representatives, showing
the Operations, Expenditures and Condition of the Institution
during the year 1850. Washington, 1851. 8vo.—From Hon.
James Cooper, U. Si Senate.

The Plough, the Loom andthe Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 8. Feb. 1852.
N. Y. and Philada. 8vo.—From J. S. Skinner, Esq.

The Committee, consisting of Mr. Trego, Dr. Demmé and
Dr. Dunglison, to which was referred the Philological Paper,
by Professor Alexander, of Baltimore, made their report and
asked to be discharged from a further consideration of the
subject,—which was agreed to.

Mr. Lea read a note from Dr. Burt, who presented the re-
port of meteorological observations made at the Loo Choo
islands, which was recommended for publication at the last
meeting,—and asked to have the note, or a part of it, appended
to the report,—which was agreed to.

Professor Frazer drew the attention of the Society to a re-
markable display of aurora borealis, observed last night, ‘and
described the characters which it presented: its chief peculi-
arity consisting in the immense and magnificent pulsations or
gushings of light, which he had never seen in any other case
of the aurora.

The phenomena, as witnessed by them, were also described
by Mr. Lea, Dr. Coates and Dr. Hays.

The minutes of the Board of Officers and Council at their
last meeting were read.

Pending nominations, Nos. 271 and 272,—and new nomina-
tions, Nos. 273 to 279, were read.

290

On motion of Mr. Trego, a Committee was appointed to
examine further, and report upon the specimens of fine Saxony
and other wools submitted to the inspection of the Society on
Friday last, by P. A. Browne, Esq. The Committee consists
of Mr. Trego, Mr. Justice and Dr. Elwyn.

Stated Meeting, March 5.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read :—

From the Linnean Society, dated Soho square, London,
Jan. 22, 1852, returning thanks for Vol. V. No. 46, of the
Proceedings of the Society :—and

From Townsend Ward, Librarian of the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania, dated Philadelphia, March 4, 1852, request-
ing permission, on behalf of that Society, to have taken a copy
of the portrait of the late P. S. Duponceau, belonging to the
American Philosophical Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII. No.
2. Dec. 12,1851. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

A Notice of the Origin, Progress and Present Condition of the Aca-
demy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. By W.S. W. Rus-
chenberger, M. D. (Read before the Academy, Feb. 10, 1852).
Philada. 1852. S8vo.—From the Academy.

An Address on the Occasion of the Centennial Celebration of the
Founding of the Pennsylvania Hospital, delivered June 10, 1851,
by George B. Wood, M. D. Philada. 1851. 8vo.—From the
Managers of the Pennsa. Hospital.

Another Copy of the same.—Fvom Dr. G. B. Wood.

Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year
1851. By Thomas 8. Kirkbride, M. D., Physician to the Insti-
tution. Philada. 1852.—From the Author.

251

The Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, for 1851. Philada. 8vo.—
From the Directors.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
38. March, 1852.—From Profs. Silliman & Dana, Editors.

The Medical Examiner and Record of Medical Science. Edited by
Francis Gurney Smith, M. D. and John B. Biddle, M.D. New
Series. Vol. VIII. Nos. 1, 2, 3. Jan. Feb. and March, 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From Dr. F. G. Smith.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 111. March, 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

A Treatise on the Anatomy, Physiology and Diseases of the Human
Ear. By James Bryan, M. D., Professor of Surgery in Geneva
Medical College, &c. &c. Philada. 1851. 8vo.—From the
Author.

An announcement was made of the death of Dr. John Gris-
com, of Burlington, N. J., a member of this Society, who
died there on the 26th ultimo, aged 77 years.

Mr. Lea read the three following entitled papers on fluviatile
and terrestrial molluscs, chiefly from the fresh waters of the
United States, viz:—

1.—“ Descriptions of New Species of the Family Unionide.”—
By Isaac Lea.

In this paper there are 44 species of Uniones, and 12 of Ano-
donte, characterised (with remarks upon each) under the following
names.

Unio affinis. Unio Henleyianus.
sae aGRAteils », lrreptus.
>> buxeus. », Ingallsianus.
» Clarkianus. », Keinerianus.
5) concavus. » Kleinianus.
» Cuvierianus. », Lamarckianus.
5, decoratus. » Lazarus.
» Floridensis. 3 Luniduss
» Forbesianus. » merus.
» fraternus. » Moussonianus.
», Gibbesianus. »» nigellus.

5» hebes. »> nigerrimus.

202

Unio nigrinus. Unio rufusculus.
SIU. », Rumphianus.
», Oregonensis. »» Sagittaformis.
» perstriatus. ~ esatulte
» placitus. » sordidus.
» Powellii. »» Stewardsonii.
» Prevostianus. 3) succissus.
») proximus. » Lroschelianus.
» pygmeeus. », Luomeyi.
» Reevesianus. » Whiteianus.
Anodonta Arkansensis. Anodonta Schroteriana.
S53 Californiensis. 35 Shaefferiana.
a denigrata. Ms tortilis.
a Linneeana. Hs Troutwiniana.
a oblita. By virens.
% opaca. 3 Wheatleyi.

2.— Description of a New Genus (Basistoma) of the Family Me-
laniana, together with some New Species of American Mela-
nie.”—By Isaac Lea.

In this paper the genus Basistoma is thus characterised :

B. Testa conica. Apertura ovata, basi abscissa. Labrum acu-
tum. Columella levi. Operculum

There are described in this paper one species of Basistoma, and
eleven of Melania, viz:

Basistoma Edwardsii. Melania oppugnata.
Melania Brumbyi. » _pinguis.
oy Clebalanie »» perstriata.
Suu els » sellersiana.
» gibbosa. », sculptilis.
Obits » saffordii.

3.—Description of a New Species of Helix, from California,
and a new characteristic form of certain American Colima-
cea.” —By Isaac Lea.

In this paper the diagnosis of the Helix Lecontii is given, and the
accessory column described, which the author had observed in cer-
tain species, and to which he has supplied the name of Fulcrum, being
akind of buttress. He described it as being placed, or soldered, as it

209

were, against the wall of the ordinary column, about a fifth to a
third of a revolution of the whorl from the aperture. This fulcrum
adds much to the main strength of the column, and the whole stabi-
lity of the structure. It was found by him to exist in the following
species :

Carocolla spinosa. Lea. Helix leporina. Gould.

3 Edgariana. Lea. » Lecontil. Lea.
Helix hirsuta. Say. Polygyra Troostiana. Lea.
» monodon. Racket. Dorfuilliana. Lea.

sy) ueai Warde

The above-mentioned papers, by Mr. Lea, were referred to
a Committee, consisting of Dr. Hays, Dr. Ruschenberger and
Dr. Leidy.

On motion of Dr. Dunglison, permission was granted to the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, to have a copy of the por-
trait of Mr. Duponceau taken, under the direction of the Li-
brarian.

Mr. Trego, the Reporter, laid upon the table No. 47 of the
Proceedings of the Society, just published.

Pending nominations, Nos. 271 to 279, inclusive, were read.

Stated Meeting, March 19.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Dr. J. Forsyth Meigs, a recently elected member, was intro-
duced to the President. and took his seat.

Letters were read :—

From the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, 15th No-
vember, 1851, returning thanks for No. 46 of the Proceedings
of this Society :—

From the New York Historical Society, dated New York,
March, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of No. 47 of the
Proceedings: and—

From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Newark,

VOL. V.—2 N

204

March 12, 1852, announcing the transmission of a donation
for the library of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. Vol. XH. Part 1, and Vol.
XIV. Part 1. London, 1851. 8vo.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII.
No. 3. Jan. 9,1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Feb. 1852.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. IV. New-
ark. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXIII. No. 3.
March, 1852. Philada. S8vo.—F rom the Institute.

Icones Piscium, or Plates of Rare Fishes. By John Richardson,
M. D., F. R.S., &c. &c. London, 1843. 4to.—From the
Author.

A Catalogue of the Mammalia in the Museum of the East India
Company. Printed by order of the Court of Directors. Lon-
don, 1851. 8vo.—From Dr. Thomas Horsfield.

Description of a New Genus of the Family Melaniana, and of many
New Species of the Genus Melania, chiefly collected by Hugh
Cuming, Esq., during his Zoological Voyage in the East, and
now first described. By Isaac Lea and Henry C. Lea, Phila-
delphia. Also, Descriptions of five New Species of Anodonte,
collected by Hugh Cuming, Esq., in the East Indies. By Isaac
Lea. London, 185]. 8vo.—From the Authors.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. 1V. No. 9. March,
1852. N. Y. and Philada. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The Committee (Drs. Hays, Ruschenberger and Leidy),
to which were referred the communications presented by Mr.
Lea, at the last meeting, made report, recommending the publi-
cation of the same in the Transactions of the Society; which
was agreed to, and the Committee discharged.

Pending nominations, Nos. 271 to 279, inclusive, and new
nominations, Nos. 280, 281, and 282 were read.

Mr. Lea, from the Committee on Publication, reported the
reception, recently, of an increased number of papers referred

209

to them for publication, and asked for an appropriation of
three hundred doilars, for publication purposes, which was
granted.

Stated Meeting, April 2.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Franxziin Bacuer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
1—15 Sept. 1851; and from Wilhelm Braumiiller, on behalf
of the Imperial Academy of Sciences of Vienna, dated Vien-
na, 24th October, 1851, announcing the transmission of dona-
tions for the Library of the Society:—

From the Royal Society of London, dated Somerset House,
Feb. 15, 1852, returning thanks for No. 46 of the Proceedings
of this Society :—

From the Smithsonian Institution, dated Washington, March
24, 1852;—and from the Lyceum of Natural History, dated
New York, March 24, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of the
Proceedings, No. 47: and—

From Mr. George Parish, dated Ogdensburg, N. York, 24th
March, 1852, in answer to a letteraddressed to him by the Se-
cretary of this Society, as directed at the meeting on 6th of
February last.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Philosophicai Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
year 1851. Part 2.

Proceedings of the Royal Society. Vol. V. No. 76. Vol. VI. Nos.
78 to 82.

List of Officers and Fellows of the Royal Society, 30th Nov. 1851.
London. 4to.—From the Society.

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society : Vol. XX., being the
Quarto Half Volume for the Session of 1850-51. London.
4to.—From the Society. .

2060

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, contaiuing Pa-
pers, Abstracts of Papers, and Reports of Proceedings of the
Society, from November, 1850, to June, 1851. Vol. XI. Lon-
don. S8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society. Vol. XXI. 1851.
London. 8yvo.—From the Society.

Astronomical and Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made
at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in the year 1850, under
the direction of Geo. Biddell Airy, Esq., M. A., Astronomer
Royal, &c. London, 1852. 4to.—From the Royal Society.

Journal Asiatique. IV. Série. Tome XVIII. Paris, 1851. 8vo.—
From the Asiatic Society of Paris.

Annales des Mines. IV. Série. Tome XX. 4 livraison de 1851.
Paris. 8vo.—From the Engineers of i’ Ecole des Mines.

Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. Année
185i. No.2. Moscou. 8vo.—From the Society.

Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Phil. Hist. Classe. Jahrgang, 1851. VI. Band, 1, 2, 3, 4,95
Heft. VII. Band, 1 Heft. Vienna. 8vo.—From the Imperial
Academy of Sciences, Vienna.

Archiv fiir Kunde Oesterreichischer Geschichts—Quellen. Jahrgang,
HSS0s) liBbands oy Auheite sole Band. Shue noe erlelts
Vienna. 8vo.—From the same.

Fontes Rerum Austriacarum.—Oesterreichischer Geschichts—Quel-
len. Zweite Abtheilung. Diplomataria et Acta. IV. Band.
Vienna, 1851. 8vo.—From the same.

Notizenblatt. Beilage zum Archiv fir Kunde désterreichischer Ges-
chichtsquellen, &c. Nos. 2—18.—From the same.

Archeologische Analecten. Tafeln zu den Sitzungsberichten der
Phil. Historische Classe der K. Acad. der Wissenschaften. Band
VI. Heft. 1, 2. 3. 1850. Von Joseph Arneth. Vienna. Folio.—
From the same.

Die Alterthiimer vom Hallstitter Salzberg und dessen umgébung.
Von Friedrich Simony. Beilage zu den Sitzungsberichte der
Philos. Histor. Classe der Kais. Acad. der Wissenschaften. Band
1V. 1850. Vienna. Folio.—F rom the same.

Uranus.—Synchronistisch geordnete 'Ephemeride aller Himmelser-
scheinungen des Jahres, 1849, 3 and 4 Quartal: 1850, erstes
Quartal: 1851, zweites Semester: 1852, erstes semester. He-
rausgegeben von der Kénigl. Universitits—Sternwarte zu Bres-

207

lau. Breslau. 8vo.—From the Observatory at Breslau. Dr.
J. G. Galle.

Memorie della Reale Academia delle Scienze di Torino. Serie Se-
conda. Tomo XI. Torino. 1851. 4to.—From the Royal Aca-
demy of Sciences, Turin.

Collections of the New York Historical Society. Second Series.
Vol. II. Parts 1, 2. 1848,1849. N. York. 8vo.— From the
Society.

Report of the Secretary of War, communicating Reports in reference
to the Inundations of the Mississippi river. Washington, Jan.
21,1852. 8vo.—From Hon. James Cooper.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M. D., &c. &c. No. XLVI. New Series. April, 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From the Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 112. April, 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 1. Philada. 8vo.—From the Academy.

The Committee appointed to examine the collection of wools
presented by the King of Saxony to Peter A. Browne, Eszq.,
presented their report, and were, on motion, discharged.

The Committee appointed at the meeting of the American Philo-
sophical Society on the 20th of February last, to examine and report
upon a collection of fine wools, presented by the king of Saxony to
Peter A. Browne, Esq. of this city:—

Report, That they have attended to the duty imposed upon them
by their appointment, and have received, from the kind politeness of
Mr. Browne, much aid and information in relation to the subject of
their inquiries. It is already known to the Society that the attention
of this gentleman has been for some time directed to the minute and
critical investigation of hair and wool, and that by means of assi-
duous microscopic and micrometric examination of these bodies he
has been enabled to arrive at results, some of which appear to have
been before unknown, and others, if known, very little noticed.
Among these, he claims the following :—

That he was the first to point out the exact difference between hair
and wool; and that he originated the division of sheep into two spe-
cles, viz: the hairy and the woolly.

That by the application of the well known laws of hybridism, he

208

was the first to show that by crossing these two species, a self-sup-
plying, permanent race of animals cannot be produced.

That he was the first to demonstrate, by actual measurement, that
as fine wool can be grown in the United States, as in any country in
the world.

From the results of his examination of a great number of speci-
mens of wool from various parts of this country, he claims to have
discovered that by drawing a diagonal line, across the United States,
corresponding somewhat with the line of tidewater, one may point
out the respective districts where the woolly and the hairy sheep may,
and may not, be bred with success.

The Committee do not propose to enter into a critical investigation
of the theories of Mr. Browne, in relation to hair and wool; but from
the laborious and earnest attention which he has given to the subject,
they are inclined to regard his opinions and conclusions as being well
worthy of considerate attention from the naturalist, the agriculturist,
and the manufacturer of fabrics, in which wool forms an entire or a
component part. If, as he asserts, the hairy and the woolly sheep
are of different species, and that by their breeding together a degene-
rate race is produced, yielding a mixed fleece of hair and wool, and
inferior in other respects; it is surely important that the fact should
be known, and claim serious attention wherever sheep are bred, that
the two varieties or races may be kept separate, as appears to be the
case in the best sheep-folds in Saxony.

The collection of wools presented by the king of Saxony to Mr.
Browne, consists of upwards of six hundred specimens, very neatly
put up and labelled, embracing varieties from the principal districts in
that country where the growing of wool is pursued as a branch of
agricultural economy. These specimens exhibit the quality of wool
taken from different parts of the same animal, as well as the vari-
eties from the differené breeds of sheep, and the various districts in
which they are produced.

In relation to this collection of Saxony wools, and illustrative of
the subject of sheep breeding and wool growing, Mr. Browne has
favoured the Committee with a communication, which is appended to
this report.

CHAS. B. TREGO,
A. L. ELWYN,
G. M. JUSTICE.

2909

To Charles B. Trego, Alfred L. Elwyn, and George M. Justice, Esquires, Com-
mittee of the American Philosophical Society, appointed to examine the
wools presented by His Majesty, the King of Saxony, to Peter A. Browne,
of Philadelphia.

GeNTLEMEN.—The Kingdom of Saxony is divided into four cir-
cuits, and fourteen counties, and the specimens I now exhibit to you,
(numbering 628) represent the animals belonging to the principal
stock sheep-folds in all the circuits, and in nearly all the counties;
so that the cabinet may be considered as presenting a fair view of
the existing state of sheep husbandry in Saxony.

Saxony is the smallest kingdom in Europe; containing, according
to some writers, 5300, and according to others, 5640, square miles;
having, for its area, about one-eighth that of Pennsylvania, and about
one-eleventh that of Virginia, yet it is said to maintain 25,000,000
of sheep. They export annually an immense quantity of wool, and
their own manufactories of that article employ 25,000 people.

To be perfectly satisfied that their sheep are of a very superior
kind and that their wool is of the finest sort, you have only to ex-
amine these specimens, and compare them with the samples of fine
wools brought by Mr. Fleishman, from most parts of Europe, at the
instance of the Federal Government.

How did Saxony become possessed of this inestimable treasure?

According to the celebrated agriculturalist, M. Thaér, Germany,
before the introduction of the merinos, had three varieties of sheep ;
neither of which were held in high estimation. In 1765, Augustus
Frederick, then elector of Saxony, procured from Spain, 200 merinos,
which he placed at Stolpgen, in the County of Hayn, and Circuit of
Dresden. Against this innovation, popular prejudice at first ran
high, but it gradually subsided with the progress of experiment; and,
in 1777, so much had these sheep risen in public estimation, that the
Elector determined to import 300 more. ‘The agent sent to Spain
could procure only 110, and of these many died during and soon
after the transportation; but they, like those previously obtained, were
selected from the best Spanish flocks; and then commenced the cele-
brated establishments of Rennersdorf, in the County and Circuit of
Bautzen and of Lochmule, in the County of Niederforchheim, in the
Circuit of Zwickau. It was upon this comparatively slender founda-
tion that the art of sheep breeding was erected in Saxony. But it
could never have attained its present great celebrity, but for the rigid

200

observance of the rule, in breeding, to keep these merinos entirely se-
parate from all other sheep; their blood was, by this means, pre-
served pure; no mixture of them with either of the pre-existing races
being allowed, on any pretence whatever. And to this day, the
Saxon sheep breeder will not permit one to lose sight of this impor-
tant fact, in proof of which, I call your attention to this clause in the
letter of Mr. V. Kirchen, the farmer of the stock sheep-fold of the
Duke of Parma, in the county of Dresden, called ‘* Weistropp,” which
accompanies these 16 beautiful specimens,— these sheep are the de-
scendants of the original importation from Spain, of 1778.”

I consider this collection of specimens of Saxony wool as a practi-
cal illustration of my theory of sheep breeding and fine wool growing,
verifying the rule which I laid down, long before I saw these spe-
cimens, that to insure a pure and perfect breed of fine woolled sheep, it
is absolutely necessary to preserve the two species of these animals
entirely separate, and not to mix the merinos with the common sheep
of the country, as is too often done in the United States.

If any American sheep breeder still entertains a latent doubt as to
the soundness of this rule, he is invited to inspect this collection, to
have passed, separately, in review, the specimens from the various
sheepfolds, and particularly to notice that this is not a collection of
picked locks, from those parts of the animal where the wool is usually
the finest; but that in order to afford the greatest facility of judging
of the sheep from the wool, samples are given from all parts of the
body, the shoulders, the withers, the back, from under the belly, the
tail and the legs: let these be carefully examined, and they will be
found to be all wool ; not a hair to be found upon those parts of the
sheep where the impure race commence showing hair.

I consider this uniformity and entirety of fibre as an unerring test
of purity of blood; and therefore cannot but regard Saxony as an
example; upon a large scale, and worthy of being followed, of the
perfection of sheep husbandry.

It will be recollected that | have heretofore shown, by actual ad-
measurements with the microscope and micrometer, that as fine wool
can be produced in the United States, as in any part of the world;
there is therefore no deficiency in climate or soil; all that the
American agriculturist requires is to procure a pure breed, and to
preserve them uncontaminated by spurious crossings. To obtain the
former, I proffer free inspection of my cabinet, where there will be
found samples of all the varieties, with references to the sheep-fold

261

from which they can be supplied, and even the number of the sheep
whose wool is there exposed to view.

In connexion with this part of the exposé I ask particular attention
to this suite of specimens from the Manor of Obermylaw, near Rech-
enbach. It will be recollected that the principal objection to the
Saxo-merino sheep has heretofore been, that the staple is short, and
consequently that the clip must be light; but these specimens, while
they exhibit the maximum fineness, have a staple so long as to ob-
viate entirely this objection. ‘This variety of Saxon wool has not,
so far as I know and believe, been before brought to this country, nor
have the sheep from which it was taken, made their appearance in
the United States; but it must be borne in mind, that as they are only
a variety of the merino, the American planter and farmer may, by
proper care and attention, produce it here, or he may import these
very sheep, and by due management preserve the integrity of their
fleece.

Upon the whole, therefore, I submit to you, gentlemen, that his
Majesty the king of Saxony has conferred a singular favour upon the
United States, in sending hither these specimens, and that he is en-
titled to the thanks of all good citizens who take an interest in this
important branch of industry.

I am, gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

P. A. BROWNE.

Mr. Lea presented a paper “ On the Fossil Footmarks of
the Red Sandstone, at Pottsville, Pennsylvania,’ which was
referred to a Committee consisting of Dr. Hays, Dr. Leidy,
and Dr. Ruschenberger.

Dr. Leidy called the attention of the members to certain
mammalian remains belonging to the Society;—the principal
one being an almost entire scull of an animal allied to the
Peccary; but of a distinct genus. He also noticed one side of
the lower jaw of a fossil tiger, enveloped in oxide of iron, the
crowns of the canine and molar teeth being exposed. The
proportions of this jaw indicate an animal of greater size than
any specimen heretofore described, of the “ fossil cave tiger,’
which was the largest known animal of the genus Felis. For
this animal, Dr. Leidy proposes the name of “ Melts atrox.”

VOL. V.—2 0

262

He intends to describe these remains more fully hereafter, in
a communication for the Transactions of this Society.

Mr. Justice informed the members that he had received
from Professor Boyé, specimens of the “ Protococcus niva-
lis,’’ brought by Dr. Kane from the arctic regions, and read a
microscopical description of the plant.

The perfect type of the Protococcus Nivalis, isa globular cyst,
varying in size from the 5,5, of an inch to the ;,/55 of an inch in
diameter; each cell or cyst having an opening, whose smallest diame-
ter measures only the 5,45 part of aninch. This opening is sur-
rounded by marked serrated or indented lines, as though by the ex-
pansion and gradual growth of the cell, the opening had also been
irregularly expanded. ‘The plant, when perfect, greatly resembles
the red currant of our gardens; as it decays the red colouring matter
is lost, being gradually superseded by a deep orange, which finally
appears to change into a brown, or the cell becomes transparent. In
this transparent state, when the cell is broken, the thickness of the
enveloping cuticle may be measured, this does not exceed the 55455
part of one inch; and, where the opening is preserved, the interior of
it becomes of a delicate green colour. Many of the cells exhibit the
hexagonal figure instead of being globular; but this is the result of
compression, where masses of them have been thrown together.
Mingled with the protoceccus are fragments of a tissue of reticulated
and cellular formation, much resembling some of the infusorial poly-
cystina. So minute are the openings in these that they do not ex-
ceed the ,5455 part of an inch in diameter.

Pending nominations, Nos. 271 to 282, were read:—
Mr. Lea offered the following preamble and resolution:—

Whereas, the appropriation of the interest of the “ Extra Magella-
nic Fund,” made to the Committee of Publication, having been with-
drawn by the appropriation of most of the principal, to the payment
of the debts of the Society :

Resolved, That the same be now restored, according to the origi-
nal intention, out of any fund not otherwise ordered by the Society,
until it shall be equal to the amount at the time of its withdrawal ;
and that the interest received from said fund be semi-annually paid
to the Publication Committee from this time.

On motion of Mr. Fraley, the above resolution was referred
to the Committee of Finance.

263

Stated Meeting, April 16.
Present, eighteen members,
JupGe Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was read from the President of the Corporation of
Harvard College, dated Cambridge, Mass., March 16, 1852,
acknowledging the receipt of No. 47 of the Proceedings of
the Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche
Gewassen. door wijlen Jan Kops, vervolgd door P. M. E. Ge-
vers Deijnoot. 166 Aflevering. Amsterdam. 4to.—From H.
M. the King of the Netherlands.

The Eighteenth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic
Society. 1850. Falmouth. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. March, 1852.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXIII. No. 4.
April, 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. Nos. 3 and 4. March
and April, 1852. Washington. 8vo.—from the Am. Coloni-
zation Society.

Annals of the Minnesota Historical Society, 1852: containing the
Annual Address, by J. H. Simpson, 1st Lieut. Corps Topogra-
phical Engineers, and other Papers. Published by order of the
Executive Council. St. Paul, Min. 8yvo.—From the Society.

Second Report on Meteorology to the Secretary of the Navy, Nov.
12,1849. By James P. Espy. Washington. 4to.—From Hon.
James Cooper, U. S. Senate.

Memorial of Alfred Guthrie, a practical engineer, submitting the Re-
sults of an Investigation made by him into the Causes of the
Explosion of Steam Boilers. Washington, Feb. 1852. 8vo.—
From the same.

Executive Documents, 2d Session of 31st Congress, 1850-51. 8 vols.

Senate Documents, Be BAS;

D. Do. Miscellaneous, ,, i‘ 1 vol.

264

Senate Reports, 2d Session of 31st Congress, 1850-51, 1 vol.
Senate Journal, 5 39 es
House Journal, oe a Taines
House Miscellaneous Documents, MP oe
» Reports of Committees, x ees

Washington. 8vo.—From the Department of State.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting, to which was
referred Mr. Lea’s paper on the Fossil Footmarks, made report,
recommending its publication in the Transactions of the Soci-
ety, which was ordered accordingly.

Mr. Tilghman called the attention of the Society to the pro-
duction of a large quantity of the Cyanide of Potassium in the
working of the iron furnaces in Scotland, and to the importance
of this phenomenon, both in a theoretical and practical point of
view. Minute quantities of the salts of potassa had been found
by Messrs. Bunsen and Playfair, both in the ore and in the
coal, particularly in the former,—and Mr. Tilghman thought
that it is possible that the remarkable difference in facility of
reduction, which is known to exist between closely similar
ores, may depend upon the presence of a greater or less quan-
tity of this base in the ore.

The stated business of the meeting, the election of members,
was postponed in consequence of there not being the requisite
quorum present.

The Committee of Finance reported progress on the subject
referred to them at the last meeting.

On motion of Mr. Fraley, the Secretary was directed to ad-
dress a letter to Mr. Richard Parish, of Hamburg, as executor
of Mr. David Parish, inquiring whether any disposition had
been made in the will of the said David Parish, as to the col-
lection of coins and medals deposited by him with this Soci-
ety, or whether the executors wish to withdraw them.

On motion of Mr. Fraley, the Secretaries were authorized
to furnish Peter A. Browne, Esq., with a copy of the Report
of the Committee on the Collection of Wools sent to Mr.
Browne by the King of Saxony.

On motion of Dr. Hays, a set of the casts of the Mastodon
bones, in the possession of the Society, was directed to be

265

presented to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadel-
phia.

On motion of Mr. Fraley, a Committee was appointed, to
which was referred the Laws of the Society, with instructions
to report whether any, and if any, what amendments shall be
made therein:—and Mr. Fraley, Judge Kane, and Mr. J. G.
Morris were appointed as said Committee.

There being no quorum present for the election of members,
the following nominations were adjourned to the next meeting,
by the members proposing them, viz: No. 271, by Mr. Fraley;
272, by Dr. Harris; 273 and 274 by Prof. Kendall; 280, 281
and 282, by Mr. Lea.

Stated Meeting, May 7.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Present, twenty-seven members.

A letter was read from the Hon. Daniel Webster, Secretary
of State, dated Washington, 13th April, 1852, announcing the
donation of 21 volumes of Congressicnal Documents, for the
Society’s Library :-—

And one from M. Michel Chevalier, of Paris, dated April
18, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election
as a member of the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. VIII. Part 1.
No. 29. Feb. 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII.
No. 4. Feb. 13, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History; March,
1852. Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche
Gewassen : door wijlen Jan Kops. Hoogleerar te Utrecht: ver-
volgd door P. M. E. Gevers Deijnoot, op Heidepark bij Nijmegen.

266

167 Aflevering. Amsterdam. 4to.—From H. M. the King of the
Netherlands. |

Information concerning the History, Condition and Prospects of the
Indian Tribes of the United States :—collected and prepared un-
der the direction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, per Act of
Congress of March 3, 1847. By Henry R. Schoolcraft, LL. D.
Illustrated by S. Eastman, Capt. U. S. Army. Published by
authority of Congress. Part 2. Philada. 1852. 4to.—From
LL. Lea, Esq., Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

The Life of Major General Peter Muhlenberg, of the Revolutionary
Army. By Henry A. Muhlenberg. Philada. 1849. 8vo.—
From the Author.

Financial Report of the State Treasurer, for the fiscal year, ending
Nov. 29, 1851. Harrisburg. 8vo.—From W. A. Crabb, Esq.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XIII. No. 39. May, 1852. New Haven. 8vo.—From the
Editors, Profs. Silliman and Dana.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 113. May, 1852.
Philadelphia. 8Svo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 10. April,
1852. Philada. and N. York. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner,
Esq., Editor.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXIII. No.
5. May, 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.— From the Institute.
The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. No. 5. May, 1852. Wash-

ington. S8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Dr. Kane exhibited to the Society a number of specimens of
vegetable matter found by him on the ice-plains of the Polar
seas.

They consisted of the minute filaments and radicles of two species
of moss, (undetermined,) mingled with the leaves and corticle of a
heath, recognizable by the unassisted eye as the andromeda tetra-
gona; the broken thalli of several lichens, and in one case, the cap-
sule of a saxifrage.

These were collected at different times during the long ice drift of
the late Grinnell expedition, and at distances from land varying from
40 to 76 miles. ‘They appeared as almost microscopic specks upon
the surface of the snow fields, and would readily elude casual ob-
servation. ‘They had been undoubtedly conveyed from the shore

267

over the dry and polished surface of the ice by the action of the winds,
and it seemed as if they might be transported in the same manner to
indefinite distances, unless arrested by the continued intervention of
open water.

Dr. Kane alluded to the infusorial dust of South America and
Africa, and the diffusion of voleanic ash and scoria over extended
areas, as also to the presence of acetic and hippuric acids, &c., in
the atmosphere, as detected by Fresnel and Horsford. He believed,
however, that this was the first instance of an analogous observation
with regard to organized and vegetable matter, and he regarded it as
having an interesting connection with the proto-coccus nivalis, and
other growths upon a naked snow surface.

In reply to the questions of members, Dr. Kane stated that he had
collected the red snow at a point within the Arctic Circle, as high as
lat. 76° 15’, and from the shores of Wellington channel to those of
Greenland. Throughout all this extensive range it was in no case
found on snow devoid of other vegetable life. It generally occupied
dependant valleys and grooves, and was found there in connection
with the fronds of lichens, portions of mosses, carices, the catkins of the
willow, &c. &c. The intensity of its colouring appeared to bear a
certain marked relation to the quantity of such foreign matter present
in these localities.

Dr. Kane added, that Sir Edward Parry had detected this singular
vegetable organism on the distant Spitzbergen ice-fields, and Saus-
sure, Baer, and others, on isolated Alpine slopes ; but that, even in
these cases, it could not be said that the snow surface was absolutely
without a vegetable nidus. He had himself collected this snow 76
miles from any land, and from surfaces which, but for a critical
examination, would have seemed altogether pure.

He did not wish his remarks to be understood as bearing upon the
general question of the ability of snow water to afford the necessary
ammonia for the supply of the plants, but as simply indicating for
many of the heretofore “isolated” localities of the red snow, the pre-
existence of a matrix of vegetable character.

Dr. Leidy read a paper “ On Extinct Species of the Ameri-

can Lion,”’

which was referred to a Committee, consisting of
Dr. Hays, Dr. Ruschenberger, and Mr. Lea.
The election of members having been adjourned to this

meeting, the Society proceeded to ballot for candidates.

268

All other business having been concluded, the ballot boxes
were opened, and the following named gentlemen were de-
clared, by the presiding officer, to be duly elected members of
the Society :—

Joun Neiux, M. D., of Philadelphia.

Joun J. Reese, M. D., .

Prof. J. S. Hussarp, of National Observatory, Washington.

Prof. W. C. Bonn, of Cambridge, Mass.

Dr. Tuomas B. Witson, of Philadelphia.

Mr. Joun Cassin, es

Prof. J. H. Atexanper, of Baltimore.

Stated Meeting, May 21.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From W. Hunter, Acting Secretary, dated Department of
State, Washington, May 18, 1852, announcing the return of
Sayer and Bennett’s Map of the United States, lent by this
Society, in 1828, to the U. S. Government, for use on the
question of the North-eastern Boundary:—

From A. D. Bache, Superintendent of the U. S. Coast Sur-
vey, dated Washington, April 6, 1852, accompanying a dona-
tion of sundry Coast Survey Maps, for the Society’s Libra-
ry :—

From Prof. J. S. Hubbard, dated Observatory, Washington
City, May 10, 1852; and from Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, dated
Philadelphia, May 19, 1852,—severally acknowledging the
receipt of notice of their election as members of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.
Addresses delivered in the Hall of the House of Representatives, at
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday evening, April 6, 1852,
by William V. Pettit and Rev. John P. Durbin, D. D. Published

269

by order of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society. Philada.
1852. 8vo.—From the Penna. Colonization Society.

U. S. Coast Survey Maps. 1. Hell Gate. 2. South side of Long
Island, No. 1. 3. Entrance to Mobile Bay. 4. Hart and City
Island, and Sachem’s Head Harbours. 5. Richmond Island.—
From A. D. Bache, Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey.

A Synopsis of the Family of Naiades. By Isaac Lea, Member of the
American Philosophical Society, &c. Third edition. Philada.
1852. 4Ato.—From the Author.

FOR THE CABINET.

Sundry Roman Coins, presented by Dr. Leidy, as Curator of the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, in the name of
the Southwark Library Company.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting on a paper by
Dr. Leidy, “On Extinet Species of the American Lion,”
reported in favour of publication, which was ordered accord-
ingly.

Dr. Leidy read a memoir “On the Extinct Dicotyline of
America,’’—which was referred to Dr. Hays, Dr. Ruschenber-
ger and Mr. Lea, as a Committee.

Dr. Hays exhibited a small Galvanic Apparatus, for medical
purposes, which he regards as beautiful and efficient. It fur-
nishes an uninterrupted current of electricity, and is therefore
devoid of the inconveniences occasioned by the interrupted
current. It is the apparatus of Pulvermacher. Dr. Hays de-
scribed the apparatus, which he has not yet subjected to trial.
He is inclined, however, to think it will answer the purpose.
Prof. Frazer has subjected the apparatus to action, which he
describes as very feeble.

Dr. Dunglison, as Clerk, read the proceedings of the Board
of Officers and Council, at their meeting, held on the 14th inst.

Pending nominations, Nos. 275 to 279, inclusive, and new
nominations, Nos. 283 and 284, were read.

Mr. Fraley, from the Committee of Finance, reported on
the subject of the “ Extra Magellanic Fund,” referred to them
at the meeting of April 2, 1852, and recommended the fol-
lowing resolutions, which, after discussion, were adopted :—

VOL: V.—2 P

270

Resolved, That a permanent Publication Fund be now establish-
ed, which shall consist of any surplus of the income of the Society
from rents, contributions and other sources, (other than the interest
and dividends on the Trust Funds) after the payment of the ordinary
expenses, and also of any unexpended balance of the annual appro-
priation to the Committee of Publication;—such surplus and unex-
pended balance at the close of each year to be invested, under the
direction of the Committee of Finance ;—and the principal and inte-
rest of the said permanent Publication Fund shall be subject to such
appropriation to, and expenditure by, the Committee of Publication,
as the Society may, from time to time, order and direct.

Resolved, That the present investments of the Society, and the re-
investments of the same that may at any time hereafter be made,
and the interest and dividends received thereon, shall now constitute
the Trust Funds of the Society, and be so kept and accounted for by
the Treasurer ;—and all dividends and income received thereon shall
be invested under the direction of the Committee of Finance, and be
regularly added to, and form part of, the said Trust Funds. And the
_ said Trust Funds, as so established and increased, shall be held and
applied exclusively to meet and discharge the several Trusts assumed
by the Society, and any other debt, of a special nature, for which it
may now be liable.

Stated Meeting, June 18.

Present, thirteen members.

Dr. Franxiin Bacuer, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. Stillé, a recently elected member, was presented, and
took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From the Secretary of l’Ecole des Mines, dated Paris, 12th
January, 1852; from the Secretary of the Cambridge Philo-
sophical Society, dated Cambridge, 31st March, 1852; from
Don Pedro de Angelis, dated Buenos Ayres, 31st March,
1852;—all announcing donations for the Society’s Library:—

From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, dated

271

Boston, 25th May, 1852, returning an acknowledgment for
No. 47 of the Proceedings: —

From J. H. Alexander, dated Baltimore, 24th May, 1852;
from John J. Reese, dated June 4, 1852; and from John Neill,
dated June 17, 1852, severally acknowledging the receipt of
notice of their election as members of this Society: and—

From Isaac Lea, dated Philadelphia, June 2, 1852, convey-
ing his resignation as a member of the Committee of Finance,
and of the Committee of Publication, in consequence of ab-
sence from the city.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observato-
ry at Hobarton, in Van Diemen Island. Printed by Her Majes-
ty’s Government, under the superintendence of Col. Edward Sa-
bine, of the Royal Artillery. Vol. II. Commencing with 1848:
with Abstracts of the Observations from 1843 to 1850, inclusive.
London. 1852. 4to.—From the British Government.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche
Gewassen: door Jan Kops en J. E. Van der Trappen. Aflever-
ing 165. Amsterdam. 4to.—From the King of the Nether-
lands.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII. No.
5. March 12,1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. Vol. X. Part
2. Cambridge, 1851. 4to.—From the Society.

Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome XX. Livr. 5 de 1851.
Paris. 8vo.—From the Ecole des Mines.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 2., with Title and Index to Vol. V. Philada. 1852.
8vo.— From the Academy.

Collections of the New York Historical Society. Vol. IV. 1829.
Svo.

Proceedings of the same, for 1844, 1845, 1846, 1848, 1849. 8vo.—
From the Society.

Annual Report of the Trustees of the New York State Library:
transmitted to the Legislature, March 9, 1852. Albany. 8vo.—
From the Trustees.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXIII. No. 6.
June, 1852. Philada. S8vo.—F rom the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. No. 6. June, 1852. Wash-
ington. 8vo.— From the American Colonization Society.

Memoria Historica sobre los derechos de soberania y dominio de la
Confederacion Argentina, a la parte Austral del Continente Ame-

‘ricano, &c. Por D. Pedro de Angelis. Buenos Ayres. 1852.
8vo.—From the Author.

Mémoire sur la Constitution Minéralogique et Chimique des Roches
des Vosges. (Ann. des Mines, Tome XX.) Par M. Delesse,
Ingénieur des Mines. Paris. 1851. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Classification of Mankind by the Hair and Wool of their Heads;
with the Nomenclature of Human Hybrids. By P. A. Browne,
LL.D. Philada. 1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

Second Annual Report of the Directors of the Bellefontaine and In-
diana Rail Road Company; with the Report of the Chef Engi-
neer. May, 1852. Cleveland, O. 8vo.—From W. M. Ro-
berts, Chief Engineer.

Observations on the Genus Unio, together with descriptions of New
Species in the families Unionide, Colimacez and Melaniana. By
Isaac Lea, Member of the Am. Phil. Society, &c. Vol. V.
Philada. 1852. 4to.—From the Author.

On the Fossil Footmarks in the Red Sandstone of Pottsville, Penn-
sylvania. By Isaac Lea, Mem. Am. Phil. Society, &c. Philada.
1852. Ato.—From the same.

On a Fossil Saurian of the New Red Sandstone Formation of Penn-
sylvania, with some account of that Formation; also on some
New Fossil Molluscs in the Carboniferous Slates of the Anthra-
cite Seams of the Wilkesbarre Coal Formation. By Isaac Lea,
M. A. P.S., &c. Philada. 1852. 8vo.—F rom the same.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 11. May,
1852. N. Y. and Philada. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Edi-
tor. )

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 114. June, 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Committee to which was referred Dr. Leidy’s paper
“On the Extinct Dicotylinze of America,’ made report, re-
commending its publication in the Transactions of the Society,
which was ordered accordingly.

Prof. Frazer announced the death of Dr. James B. Rogers,

Professor of Chemistry in the Medical Department of the
University of Pennsylvania, a member of this Society, who
died on the 15th inst., at the age of 50 years.

Dr. Charles M. Wetherill presented for the Transactions a
paper entitled “Chemical Examination of two Minerals from
the neighbourhood of Reading, Pennsylvania; and on the oc-
currence of Gold in Pennsylvania;” which was referred to a
Committee, consisting of Prof. Frazer, Dr. Bridges and Mr.
Trego. Remarks on the paper were made by Prof. Boyé,
Mr. Trego, Prof. Frazer and Mr. Peale.

The following is an abstract of this paper:

Molybdenite.—W hich is found in abundance at the Zion Church,
Alsace, in the neighbourhood of Reading. The specimens analyzed
were given me by Dr. Bischoff and Mr. Keim. The mineral occurs
impure in mass, and of considerable purity in plates and scales; in a
quartz matrix, presents the ordinary appearance of the mineral.
Hardness, 1. Density, 4.52. ‘The analysis gave the following per
centage composition :

Water, - = - - - 0.297
Sulphur, - - - 38.198
Silica, - - - - - 2.283
Perox. Iron, - - - - 3.495
Molybdenum, - - - - 50.727

100.000

Zircon.—Found in the mineral spring valley behind Reading,
and at a locality 8 or 9 miles from Reading, N. E. of Pricetown. Is
imbedded so firmly in a matrix of magnetic iron ore, that the crys-
tals when detached leave a glazing upon the ore. Some of the
crystals are very large, one measuring 13 inches by + inch by ¢
nearly. The planes and angles are all rounded off, as if subjected
to a semi fusion. One fragmentary crystal was found with its angles
and edges sharp and planes glass smooth. The colour, of chocolate
brown; hardness, between 7 and 8; density, 4.595. The crystal
raised gradually to white heat does not exhibit phosphorescence ;
becomes deeper in colour, gives off 0.385 per cent. of water, and
increases in density, which is, after the operation, 4.62, correspond-
ing to a condensation as 10.000 to 9.946.

274

The elutriated mineral, after heated to whiteness to determine the
water, was analyzed by fusion with four times its weight of car-
bonate of soda, dissolving residue in water, completing the solution
with hydrochloric acid, adding large excess of sulphuric acid, and
evaporating until the sulphuric acid fumes began to be evolved, at
which temperature it was kept for some time. The silica was then
removed and the iron and zirconia separated by sulphurous acid, by
Berthier’s method. No lime nor magnesia was detected, nor were
the alkalies found present. ‘The per centage composition was

Silica, - : - : - 34.07
Zirconia, - - - - 63.50
Perox. Iron, - - - 5) ByOe
Water, - - - - - 0.50

100.09

The presence of water in the mineral renders probable the observa-
tion by Scheerer, that malakon and zircon contain zirconia in allo-
tropic conditions, and that they cannot be characterized by malakon
only containing water, as is supposed by some mineralogists. The
analysis of zircon was tried by attacking by bisulphate of ammonia,
but with negative results.

Occurrence of gold in Pennsylvania.—The material examined,
and which is believed to have been found upon the land of Mr.
Yoder, in Franconia township, Montgomery county, where it was
obtained in digging a well, consists of sand and gravel, containing in
some instances. shale, and accompanied by rocks of clay, slate and
ferruginous quartz decayed in places, we examined by washing and
by fusion with oxide of lead (previously tested for gold), and char-
coal, followed by cupellation.

Both these methods gave gold in fine spangles. A small piece of
gold somewhat thicker was detected adhering to the gravel, and also
a grain of native tin. One and a half pounds of the gravel, freed
from the pieces of rock, gave 0.006 grammes of gold, corresponding
to 0.4 grammes of gold for the hundred pounds, worth by my calcula-
tion 2624 cents. The occurrence of native tin, about which there is no
mistake, is interesting, and calculated to obviate the idea of fraud.
This metal occurs only, [ believe, with the Siberian gold.

Mr. R. A. Tilghman presented for the Transactions, a paper
“Qn the Decomposition of the Alkaline Sulphates by Hydro-

279

chloric Acid and Chlorine,’? which was referred to a Com-
mittee consisting of Prof. Boyé, Dr. F. Bache and Dr. We-
therill.

Prof. Boyé made some remarks on the Salt-radical theory,
proposing to adopt the name oxysulphine for the radical, and
oxysulphide for the compound.

Dr. Boyé exhibited for inspection, under the microscope, a
specimen of Fossil Infusoria, from a new locality, half a mile
west of Succasunny, Morris Co., New Jersey. It was sent to
him for examination, as a marl, and its true character at once
recognised by him. From examinations made since, by Mr.
James B. Fisher, at the request of Dr. Boyé, it appears that it
extends over about 5 acres of land, covered with a moderate
layer of peat, and the greater portion of it under water. It
was first met with in digging a drain, and is said not yet to
have been penetrated, at the depth of 7 feet.

Pending nominations, Nos. 275 to 279, and 283, 284, also
new nomination, No. 285, were read.

The Librarian read a letter from Mr. W. Patton, of Wash-
ington, making inquiry concerning a work eatitled ‘ Pantolo-
gia,’’? by Drs. Good and Gregory, which, on motion, was re-
ferred to the Librarian.

The resignations of Mr. Lea, as a member of the Committee
of Publication, and of the Committee of Finance, were accept-
ed; and Mr. Justice was appointed on the Committee of Fi-
nance, and Mr. Trego on the Committee of Publication.

Mr. Trego, on behalf of the Committee of Publication, laid
before the Society, Part 2 of Vol. X. of the Transactions,
which has been recently published.

276

Stated Meeting, July 16.
Present, ten members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Committee on the Library of Congress, dated
Washington, June 29, 1852; from the Secretary of the Smith-
sonian Institution, dated Washington, June 28, 1852, and from
the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Newark, June 30,
1852, returning acknowledgments for Vol. X. Part 2, of the
Transactions of this Society :—

From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, dated
Boston, June 23, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. X.
Part 2, of the Transactions, and of 12 Nos. of the Proceed-
ings of this Society :—

From Prof. W. C. Bond, dated Cambridge, June 23, 1852,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber of this Society: and—

From B. F. French, dated New York, June 30, 1852, soli-
citing a donation of “some of the volumes published by the
Society” to the New Orleans Fisk Free Library.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Mémoires de Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des
Beaux-Arts de Belgique. Tomes XXIV. XXV. Bruxelles, 1850.
4to.—From the Academy.

Mémoires Couronnés, et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers: publiés
par Académie Royale des Sciences, &c., de Belgique. Tome
XXIII. 1848-50. 4to.—From the same.

Bulletins de Académie Royale des Sciences, &c., de Belgique. ‘Tome
XVI. 2éme. Partie, 1849: Tome XVII. lére et 2éme Parties.
1850. Tome XVIII. lére Partie. 1851. Svo.—From the

same.
Annuaire de Academie Royale des Sciences, &c., de Belgique.
1850-1851. Années 16, 17. Bruxelles. 12mo.—From the

same. '

217

Mémoire sur la Chimie et la Physiologie Végétales, et sur l’Agricul-
ture. Par Henri le Docte. Bruxelles. 1849. 8yvo.—From
the same.

Exposé Général de l’Agriculture Luxembourgeoise, &c. Par Henri
le Docte. Bruxelles, 1849. 8vo.—From the same.

Annales de ’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles: Par le Directeur A.
Quetelet. Tome VIII. Premiére Partie. Bruxelles, 1851. 4to.—
From the Observatory.

Annuaire de l’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles: Par. A. Quetelet,
Directeur. 1850, 1851. Année 17,18. Bruxelles. 12mo.—
From the same.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 30. Vol. VIII.
Part 2, May 1, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.
Address delivered at the Anniversary Meeting of the Geological So-
ciety of London; Feb. 20, 1852. By William Hopkins, Esq.,

President of the Society. London. 8vo.—From the same. *

On the Causes which may have produced Changes in the Earth’s
Superficial Temperature. By William Hopkins, M. A., F. R.S.,
Pres. Geological Society, &c. &c. London, 1852. 8vo.—
From the same.

Astronomicai Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh. By the late Thomas Henderson, F. R. 8S. L. & E., F.
R. A.S., é&c. &c. Reduced and edited by his successor, Charles
Piazzi Smith, F. R. S. E., F. R. A. S., &c. Vol. X., for 1844,
5, 6, 7. Published by order of Her Majesty’s Government.
Edinburgh, 1852. 4to.—From the Observatory.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Vols. III. and 1V. Wash-
ington, 1852. 4to.—From the Smithsonian Institution.

Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, in Boston, April
30, 1851; in Worcester, Oct. 23, 1851; in: Boston, April 28,
1852. Worcester. 8vo.—From the American Antiquarian
Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. May, 1852.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

The Documentary History of the State of New York; Arranged
under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of
State. By E. B. O’Callaghan, M.D. Vol. 1V. Albany, 1851.
8vo.—From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York.

Fifth Annual Report of the Regents of the University, on the condi-
tion of the State Cabinet of Natural History, and the Historical

VOL. V.—2 Q

278

and Antiquarian Collection annexed thereto. Feb. 2, 1852.
Albany. 8vo.—From the same.

Sixty-fifth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York; made to the Legislature, March 1, 1852.
Albany. 8vo.—From the same.

Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. No.

3. May, 1852. Philada. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 38d Series. Vol. XXIV. No. 1.
July, 1852. Philada. 8vo.—Jrom the Institute.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII. No.
6. April 7, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
40. July, 1852. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silliman
& Dana, Editors.

A Reply to the Strictures of Lord Mahon and others, on the mode of
Editing the Writings of Washington. By Jared Sparks. Cam-
bridge, 1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

A Discussion of the Explosion of Burning Fluid, which took place
in Salem, Feb. 24, 18525; and of several others of recent occur-
rence. By E. N. Horsford, Prof. Harvard University. Boston,
1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

A Treatise on the Practice of Medicine: By George B. Wood, M. D.
Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania, &c. &c. Third Edition. 2 vols. 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From the Author.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XLVII. New Series. July, 1852. Philada.
8vo.—From the Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 115. July, 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Medical Examiner and Record of Medical Science. Edited by
Francis Gurney Smith, M.D., and John B. Biddle, M.D. New
Series. Vol. VIII. Nos. 4,5, 6, 7. April, May, June, July, 1852.
Philada. Svo.—From Dr. F. G. Smith.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. IV. No. 12. Vol. V.
No. 1. June, July, 1852. N. York & Philada. 8vo.—From
F. G. Skinner, Editor.

A Collection of Pamphlets, 56 in number, comprising Reports, Pub-
lic Documents, &c., of the State of Massachusetts, the Cities of
Boston, Lowell, Roxbury, Dorchester, &c., containing Statistics

219
of Population, Education, Prisons, Insanity, Banks, Insurance,
Rail Roads, &c. &c.—From Dr. Edward Jarvis.

On the Osteology of the Head of a Hippopotamus, and a Descrip-
tion of the Osteological character of a New Genus of Hippopo-
tamide. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. Philada. 4to.—From the
Author.

The Committee to which was referred the paper of Mr. R.
A. Tilghman, “On the Decomposition of the Alkaline Sul-
phates by Hydrochloric Acid and Chlorine,” reported in fa-
vour of publication in the Transactions, which was ordered
accordingly, and the Committee discharged.

Dr. Dunglison reported the death of Dr. Brockenbrough, a
member of this Soeiety, who died at the Warm Springs, in
Virginia, on the 3d inst., at the age of 84 years.

He also announced the death of Charles Picot, a member of
this Society, which occurred in Paris, on the 27th of June, at
the age of 60.

Dr. C. M. Wetherill read a completion of his paper read at
the last meeting of the Society, which was referred to the same
Committee.

On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Dr. Carson was appointed to
prepare and present to the Society, an obituary notice of the
late Dr. James B. Rogers, whose death was reported at the last
meeting.

Dr. Charles M. Wetherill read a paper intended for the
Transactions, “Ona New Variety of Asphalt (Melan asphalt’’),
being a chemical examination of the asphalt, the subject of
the paper of the late Richard Taylor, as published in the Pro-
ceedings January 15th, 1852. Dr. W. gave its ultimate analy-
sis, relations of ash and volatile matter, electricity, solubility,
density, fusibility,and comparison with other asphalts. He called
attention to its resemblance to the asphalt from Coxitambo, ana-
lysed by Boussingault, and proposed for it the name, Melan As-
phalt, in allusion to its beautiful and brilliant black colour.

This paper was referred to a Committee consisting of Dr.
Bridges, Mr. Tilghman and Prof. Frazer.

On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Dr. Wetherill was permitted to

280

use a copy of the paper just presented, at a trial to be held in
New Brunswick, N. 8.

There being no quorum present, for the election of members,
the stated business of the meeting could not be proceeded
with.

Pending nominations, Nos. 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 283,
284, 285, were read.

Stated Meeting, August 20.
Present, eight members.
Dr. Parrerson, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read :—

From the Central Commission of Statistics, of Belgium,
dated Bruxelles, 1st May, 1852, accompanied by the Report of
a sub-committee, relative to the meeting of a Congress of Sa-
vants, of all nations, at Bruxelles, in the month of September
next:—

From the Society of Sciences, Agriculture and the Arts, of
Lille, dated Lille, 20th March, 1852; and from Professor Lep-
sius, dated Berlin, 20th June, 1852, announcing the transmis-
sion of donations to the Society : and—

From the Corporation of Harvard College, Cambridge, dated
July 16, 1852, returning thanks for Vol. X. Part 2, of the
Transactions of this Society; and from the Trustees of the
New York State Library, dated Albany, August 6, 1852, ac-
knowledging the receipt of the Society’s Proceedings, No. 47.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Mémoires de |’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg :
VI.cme Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Natu-
relles. ‘Tome VII. Premiére Partie, Sciences Math. et Phys.
Tome V. 3e ét 4e livraisons. Seconde Partie, Sci. Nat. Tome
V. 5e et Ge livraisons. Tome VIII. Seconde Partie, Sci. Nat.
Tome VI. 4e livraison. St. Petersbourg, 1849, 50. 4to.—From
the Academy.

281

Mémoires presentés 2 l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Pe-
tersbourg, par divers Savants, et lus dans ses assemblées. Tome
VI. 4e livraison. St. Petersbourg, 1849. 4to.—From the same.

Recueil des Actes des Séances Publiques de ? Académie Impériale des
Sciences de St. Petersbourg, ténues le 28 Dec. 1847, et le 29 Dec.
1848. St. Petersbourg, 1849. 4to.— From the same.

Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome XX. 6e livraison de
1851. Cinquicme Série. Tome]. lelivraisonde 1852. Paris.
8vo.—From the Ecole des Mines.

Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XXI. Part 1,

and List of the Society for 1851. London. 4to.—F rom tie
Society.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society. Nos. 45, 46, 47. (Feb. 4 to
Dec. 16, 1851.) London. 8vo.—From the same.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. Nos. XVI. XVIII.
Vol. V. Nos. 1,2. April and July, 1852. London. 8vo.—
From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII.
No. 5. March 12, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Mémoires de la Soci¢té Nationale des Sciences, de l’Agriculture et
des Arts, de Lille. Année 1850. Lille. Svo.—From the So-
ciety.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. V.
Nos. 7, 8. June, 1852. New York. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. V. No. 2.
1852. 8vo.—From the Society.

Maryland Two Hundred Years Ago: A Discourse by S. F. Streeter.
Delivered in Baltimore before the Maryland Historical Society,
on its Seventh Anniversary Celebration, May 20, 1852. Balti-
more. 8vo.—Fromihe Maryland Historical Society.

A Sketch of the Life and Services of General Otho Holland Wil-
hams: Read before the Maryland Historical Society, on Thurs-
day evening, March 6, 1851. By Osmond Tiffany. Baltimore.
8vo.—From the same.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, June, 1852.
Boston. 8vo.— From the Society.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 8. May and June, 1852. Philada. 8vo.—From
the Academy.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXIV. No.
2. August, 1852. Philada. 8vo.—From the Institute.

282

Briefe aus ASgypten, AZthiopien und der Halbinsel des Sinai. Von
Richard Lepsius. Berlin. 1852. 8vo.—From the Author.
Nautisches Jahrbuch, oder vollstandige Ephemeriden und Tafeln fiir
das Jahr 1854: herausgegeben von Dr. C. Bremiker, Plankammer

Inspector, &c. &c. Berlin, 1851. 8vo.—From the Editor.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy, communicating a Report of
~ the Engineer in Chief of the Navy, on the Comparative Value
of Anthracite and Bituminous Coals: made to the Senate, May
24, 1852. Washington. 8vo.—From Hon. James Cooper,
U. S. Senate.

Speech of the Hon. Volney E. Howard, of Texas, on the Mexican
Boundary Question, the Pacific Rail Road, the Collins Steamers:
delivered in the House of Representatives, July 6, 1852. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—from the Author.

Official Report of the United States Expedition to explore the Dead
Sea and the River Jordan. By Lieut. W. F. Lynch, U.S. Navy.
Baltimore, 1852. 4to.—F rom the Author.

The Bible a Perfect Book: An Address delivered before the ‘Bible
Society of Pennsylvania College and of the Theological Semina-
ry, April 18, 1852. By Rev. C. P. Krauth, Pastor of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, Winchester, Va. Gettysburg, 1852.
8vo.—From Prof. Stoever.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 116. Aug. 18652.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 2. Aug. 1852.
N. York and Philada. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. Nos. 7, 8. July, August,
1852. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.

A Catalogue of Stars near the Ecliptic, observed at Markree during
the years 1848, 1849, 1850, and whose places are supposed to
be hitherto unpublished. Vol. I., containing 14,888 stars. Dub-
lin. 1851. 8vo.—F rom the Royal Society.

The Committee appointed at last meeting, on Dr. Wetherill’s
paper “On a new variety of Asphalt,’ reported in favour of
its publication in the Transactions, which was ordered accord-
ingly, and the Committee discharged.

The minutes of the Board of Officers and Council at their
meeting on the 13th inst. were read.

Pending nominations, Nos. 275 to 279, and 283 to 285, in- :
clusive, were read.

Stated Meeting, Sept. 17.
Present, thirteen members.
Judge Kanxz, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset
House, 6th Nov. 1851, returning thanks for No. 46 of the
Proceedings of this Society :—

From the Lyceum of Natural History, dated New York,
Sept. 8, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of the Society’s
Transactions, Vol. X. Part 2: and—

From Count Joseph Telsky, dated Pesth, 4th May, 1852,
announcing the transmission of a donation to the Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Historische en Letterkundige Verhandelingen van de Hollandsche
Maatschappy der Wetenschappen te Haarlem. Eerste Deel.
Haarlem, 1851. 4to.—F rom the Holland Society of Sciences
at Haarlem.

Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science. Sixth Meeting, held at Albany, N. Y. August, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the Association.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXIV. No. 3.
Sept. 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. No. 9. Sept. 1852. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Description of the Skeleton of the Mastodon Giganteus of North
America. By John C. Warren, M. D., &c. &c. Boston, 1852.
4to.—From the Author.

American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XIV. No. 41. Sept.
1852. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silliman & Dana,
Editors.

Report of the Officers constituting the Light House Board, convened
under instructions from the Secretary of the Treasury, to inquire
into the condition of the Light House Establishment of the Uni-

284

ted States, under the Act of March 3, 1851. Washington, 1852.
8vo.—From the Hon. James Cooper, U. S. Senate.

Report of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate of the
United States, relative to fixing the initial point in the boundary
line between the United States and Mexico. Washington, Aug.
20, 1852. 8vo.—From Col. J. J. Abert, of United States Topo-
graphical Engineers.

Report of Prof. R. S. M‘Culloh, to the Secretary of the Treasury,
upon refining Gold with Zinc:—And a Letter from Prof. M‘Cul-
loh to the Secretary, in reply to the Report of the Director of
the Mint. Washington, 1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

Report of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, in the City of Williamsburg,
Virginia, 1851:—And Essays on Asylums for persons of un-
sound mind. By John M. Galt, M.D., Superintendent and Phy-
sician of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, of Virginia. Richmond,
1859. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 117. Sept. 1852.
Philadelphia.- 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 3. Sept. 1852.
N. Y. and Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Editor.

The Committee to which was referred Dr. Wetherill’s paper
on a Chemical Examination of certain Minerals from the
neighbourhood of Reading, Pennsylvania, reported, recom-
mending its publication in the Transactions of the Society;
which was ordered, and the Committee discharged.

Dr. Kane made some remarks on the Ice Drift of Baffin’s
Bay, showing that the Gulf stream enters the Arctic Ocean on
the European side, and affects the climate of Nova Zembla;
while another current, running along the coast of Greenland,
enters Baffin’s Bay, running north, and is supposed to termi-
nate short of the Arctic circle.

Pending nominations for membership were read.

285

Stated Meeting, October 1.

Present, eight members.

Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the year 1850: By Manuel J. Johnson, M. A. Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. XI. Oxford, 1852. 8yvo.—From the Radcliffe
Trustees.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. V.
Nos. 9-14. Aug. 1852. New York. 8vo.—From the Ly-
ceum.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society: sundry missing
Nos. to complete the series up to the present time.— From the
Society.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 4. July and August, 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—
From the Academy.

Obituary Addresses on the occasion of the Death of Hon. Henry
Clay, a Senator of the United States from the State of Kentucky,
delivered in the Senate and in the House of Representatives of the
United States, June 30, 1852;—and the Funeral Sermon of the
Rey. C. M. Butler, Chaplain of the Senate, preached in the Sen-
ate, July 1, 1852.—Washington. 8vo.—From the Hon. James
Cooper, U. S. Senate.

Mr. Trego announced the death of the Rev. Philip Mille-
doler, of New Jersey, a member of this Society, who died
Sept. 22, 1852, aged 77.

Nominations for membership were read.

VOL. V.—2 R

Stated Meeting, October 15.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. Miitter, a newly elected member, was introduced, and
took his seat.

Letters were read: —

From the Society of Antiquaries, London, dated Somer-
set House, Aug. 31, 1852,—and from the Leeds Philosophica!
Society, dated Philosophical Hall, Leeds, Sept. 4, 1852,—ac-
knowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of this Society,
No. 47:—

From Dr. Martyn Paine, dated New York, Oct. 5, 1852,
announcing that he has forwarded, as a donation to the Society,
sundry works of which he is the author: and—

From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., dated Cambridge, Oct. 7, 1852,
acknowledging the receipt of the subscription money for Vol.
2 of the Astronomical Journal,—and asking the Society “to
accept the Journal as a gift hereafter.”

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. ‘Third Series. Vol. XXIV. No.
4, October, 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.
Memoir of Robert Troup Paine: by his Parents. Printed for private

distribution. New York, 1852. 4to.—From Dr. Martyn Paine.

Medical and Physiological Commentaries: by Martyn Paine, M.D.
A.M. 3vvols. Svo. New York, 1840.— From the Author.

The Institutes of Medicine: by Martyn Paine, A.M. M.D. Prof. Inst.
Med. in the University of New York. New York, 1847. 8vo.—
From the same.

Materia Medica and Therapeutics: by Martyn Paine, A.M. M.D.,
&c. &c. New York, 1848. S8vo.—From the same.

A Discourse on the Soul and Instinct, physiologically distinguished
from Materialism: by Martyn Paine, A.M. M.D., &c. &c. New
York. 1849. Svo.— From the same.

Lectures on the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph, with a Historieal Ac-

287

count of its Rise and Progress;—containing a list of the number
of Telegraphic Lines in the World, &c. &c. By Laurence Turn-
bull, M.D. Lecturer on Technical Chemistry at the Franklin In-
stitute. Philadelphia, 1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

Medical Lexicon. A Dictionary of Medical Science: By Robley
Dunglison, M.D. LL.D. Prof. Inst. Med., &c., in Jefferson Med-
ical College, Philadelphia. Ninth Edition, revised. Philadelphia,
1852.’ 8vo.—From the Author.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D., &c. &c. No. XLVIII. New Series. Oct. 1852.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 118. Oct. 1852.
Philada. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom andthe Anvil. Vol. V. No.4. Oct. 1852.
N. York and Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Esq.

Dr. Elwyn announced the death of the Rey. Dr. Samuel B.
Wylie, a member of this Society, who died on the 13th inst.,
in the 80th year of his age.

Dr. Bache announced the death of Mr. John L. Stephens, a
member of the Society, who died in New York, on the 12th
inst., aged 47.

There not being a quorum of members present to enable the
Society to proceed to the election of members, a recess of half
an hour was taken, and there still being no quorum present:—

On the proposition of one or more of the members, who
nominated candidates Nos. 284 and 285, their election was
postponed to the next stated meeting.

Stated Meeting, November 5.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—
From the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, dated Pesth,
15th March, 1852;—from the Central Commission of Statis-

288

tics of Belgium, dated Bruxelles, December, 1847;—from Wil-
helm Braumiiller, book agent of the Imperial Academy of Sci-
ences at Vienna, dated Vienna, 16th Dec. 1851, 20th March,
and 24th July, 1852 ;—from the Royal Society of Sciences of
Denmark, dated Copenhagen, 28th May, 1852;—from the
Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated 15th May, 1852 ;—
from the Society of Antiquaries, dated London, August 19,
1852;—severaliy announcing the transmission of donations
to this Society:—and from the Royal Society of Sciences at
Géttingen, dated 15th April, 1852, accompanying a donation,
and acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 45 and 46 of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society: and—

From the Royal Institution of Great Britain, dated Albemarle
street, Sept. 3, 1852;—from the Statistical Society of London,
dated 4th Oct. 1852;—from the Connecticut Historical Socie-
ty, dated Hartford, Oct. 4, 1852;—from the New Jersey His-
torical Society, dated Newark, Oct. 30, 1852;—all acknow-
ledging the receipt of No. 47 of the Proceedings.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

A Magyar Tudés T4rsasig Evkonyvei, III. IV. V. VI. VII. Katet.
Buda, 18387—1846. 4to.—From the Hungarian Academy of
Sciences.

Régi Magyar Nyelvemlékek. Kiadta 4 Magyar Tudés Tarsasag, I.
II. Il]. Kétet. Buda. 1838—1842. 4Ato.—from the same.

Abhandlungen der Ké6niglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. Aus dem Jahre, 1850. Berlin, 1852. 4to.—F rom the
Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin.

Monatsbericht der Konigl. Preuss. Akad. der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. July—Dec. 1851; Jan.—June, 1852. Berlin. 8vo.—
from the same.

Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Phil. Hist. Classe, VII. Band, 1851; 2—5 Heft: VIII. Band,
1852, 1 Heft. Math. Naturwissenchaftliche Classe, VIII. Band,
1, 2, 3 Heft-—From the Imperial Academy of Sciences at Vi-
enna.

Archiv fir Kunde Oesterreichischer Geschichts-quellen, VII. Band.
1—4 Heft.

289

Kritische Durchsicht der von Davidow verfassten Wértersammlung
aus der Sprache der Ainds. Von Dr. August Pfizmaier.

Kalender der Flora des Horizontes von Prag. Von Karl Fritsch.

Tafeln zur Vergleichung und Reduction der in verschiedenen Lingen-
massen abgelesenen Barometerstinde. Von J. J. Pohl und J.
Schabus.

Tafeln zur Reduction der in Millimetern abgelesenen Barometerstiande
auf die normal temperatur von O° Celsius. Berechnet von J. J.
Pohl und J. Schabus.

Notizenblatt, 1851, Nos. 19—24. 1852, Nos. 1—10. Wien.
Svo.—From the same.

Nachrichten von der Georg-Augusts-Universitat und der Kéniglichen
Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Gottingen. Vom Jahre, 1851.
Nos. 1—19. Gétlingen. 8vo-—From the Royal Society of
Sciences, Gottingen.

Erste Sacularfeir der Kénigl. Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu
Gottingen, 29th Nov. 1851. Géttingen. 4to.—From the same.

Species, Genera et Ordines Algarum. Auctore Jacobo Georgio
Agardh. 3 vols. 1848, 1851, 1852. Lund. 8vo.—From the
Author.

Recensio Specierum Generis Pteridis. Auct. J. J. Agardh. 1839.
Lund. 8vo.—From the same.

Archzologia; or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity: pub-
lished by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vols. 33, 34.
London, 1849—1852. 4to.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vol. I. Nos.
18—32. 1849—1852. London. 8vo.—From the same.
Catalogue of the Library of the Royal Geographical Society: cor-

rected to May, 1851. London, 1852. 8vo.—From the Society.

Address at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Geographical So-
ciety, 24th May, 1852. By Sir R. I. Murchison, M.A. F.R.S.,
&c. &c. London, 1852. S8vo.—From the same.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 31. Vol. VIII.
Part 3. Aug. 1, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.
Twenty-ninth Annual Report of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great

Britain and Ireland, 1852: To which is added a later communi-
cation from Lt. Col. Rawlinson, C. B., containing outlines of
Assyrian History, from the Inscriptions of Nineveh; followed by
some remarks by A. H. Layard, Esq. London, 1852. 8vo.—
From the Society.

Report of the Twenty-first meeting of the British Association for the

290

Advancement of Science, held at Ipswich in July, 1851. Lon-
don, 1852. S8vo.— From the Association.

Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Skrifter: V. Reekke.
Naturvidenskabelig og Mathematisk Afdeling. Andet Bind. Kio-
benhavn, 1851. 4to.—From the Royal Danish Society of Sct-
ences.

Abhandlungen der Math. Phys. Classe der Kénigl. Bayerischen
Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band VI. Abth. 2. Miinchen,
1851. 4to.—From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences.

Bulletin der Konigl. Akad. der Wissenschaften, 1851. Nos. 1—43.
Munchen. 4to.

Gelehrte Anzeigen. Bande 32, 38. 1851. Miinchen. 4to.—From the

same.
Beobachtungen des Meteorologischen Observatoriums auf den Hohen-

peissenberg, von 1792—1850. Von Dr. J. Lamont. Miinchen,
1851. 8vo.—From the same.

Statistique de la Belgique. Population. Mouvement de |’Etat Civil
pendant les années 1845, 1849, 1850. 3 vols.

Statistique de la Belgique. Industrie. Recensement General, 15 Oct.
1846. 1 vol.

Statistique de la Belgique. Agriculture. Recensement General, 15
Oct. 1846. 1 vol.

Publié par le Ministre de l’Intérieur. Bruxelles. Folio.

Bulletin de la Commission Centrale de Statistique. Royaume de Bel-
gique. ‘Tomes III. IV. Bruxelles, 1847, 1851. 4to.—From
the Central Commission of Statistics, Belgium.

The Pharmacopeia of the United States of America. By Authority
of the National Medical Convention held at Washington, A. D.
1850. Philada. 1851. 8vo.—From the Committee of Revision
and Publication of the National Medical Convention.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
42. Nov. 1852. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silliman
and Dana, Editors.

The Astronomical Journal. No. 49. (Vol. III. No. 1.) Cambridge,
Oct. 23, 1852. 4to.—From B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

Mr. Trego announced the death of the Hon. Daniel Web-
ster, a member of this Society, who died at Marshfield, Octo-
ber 24, 1852, aged 71:—and, on motion of Dr. Harris, the
Rev. H. A. Boardman was appointed to prepare an obituary
notice of the deceased member.

291

Mr. Trego also announced the death of Mr. Isaac Wayne,
a member of this Society, who died on the 25th ult., aged 83.

Mr. Trego exhibited to the Society some mineral specimens
procured by Dr. Hammond, of the U. S. Army, from a volca-
nic region in New Mexico, between the waters of the Rio del
Norte and the Gila, on the Pacific slope. Among them are
specimens of garnets; beautiful for their fineness of colour and
excellence of composition.

Dr. Hammond says, that in that part of New Mexico, the
common potato (Solanum tuberosum), grows abundantly in
a wild state, and is apparently indigenous in that region. Some
of the tubers from this native growth have been sent to the
President of an Agricultural Society in New York, for experi-
ment in planting.

Mr. Henry D. Gilpin, on the part of Mr. Cogswell, librari-
an of the Astor Library in New York, stated that the Library
has duplicates of the early volumes of the Transactions of
this Society, which they would be glad to exchange for the
fourth, and all after the s¢xth volume of the New Series:—
which, on motion, was referred to the Librarian of the Socie-
ty, with power to take order. Mr. Gilpin further reported
the satisfactory condition of the Astor Library, which he had
recently visited.

The Society then proceeded to the adjourned election of
members:—when, on the proposition of two of those who had
nominated No. 284, the balloting for that nomination was post-
poned until the meeting for election in January next.

The pending and new nominations were read.

All other business having been concluded, the ballot box
was opened, and the following named gentleman was declared
by the presiding officer to be duly elected as a member of the
Society.

Lieut. M. F. Maury, of the U.S. Navy.

292

Stated Meeting, November 19.
Present, twenty-one members.
Jupce Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From C. C. Rafn, Secretary of the Royal Society of North-
ern Antiquaries, dated Copenhagen, July 29, 1852, accompa-
nying a programme of a proposed publication by that Society,
on British and Irish Antiquities, from records contained in old
northern manuscripts;—and also a printed sketch of “the
Discovery of America by the Northmen:”’—

From Mr. Isaac Lea, dated Paris, Oct. 27, 1852, on trans-
mitting a communication from M. Michaux:—

From M. F. André Michaux, dated Vauréal pres Pontoise,
25th Oct. 1852, in relation to the cultivation of trees; also
expressing his grateful feelings towards this Society and the
people of the United States, referring to the kindness and hos-
pitality shown to his father and to himself, many years since,
during their travels in the United States. This letter is accom-
panied by a sealed paquet, to be preserved by the Society, un-
opened, until after the decease of Mr. Michaux:—

From the Imperial Academy of Sciences at Vienna, dated
20th December, 1851, returning thanks for Nos. 40 to 46 of
the Proceedings of this Society, and expressing a wish to be
supplied with the previously published numbers:— _

From the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford,
Nov. 8, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of No. 47 of the
Proceedings: and—

From Lieut. M. F. Maury, dated National Observatory,
Nov. 12, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his
election as a member of the Society.

On motion of Col. Biddle, it was resolved that a letter be
written by the Secretary, acknowledging to Mr. Michaux the
receipt of the sealed document sent by him to the Society, and
informing him that it will be carefully preserved, in accordance
with his wishes.

293

The following communication was read from Dr. Patterson,
the President of the Society: —

Philadelphia, 18th Nov. 1852.
To the Members of the American Philosophical Society:

Gentlemen,—Having been for several years chosen by you as
President of the American Philosophical Society, an honour of which
I have always entertained a high appreciation, I feel that it is now
prudent for me to decline being again a candidate.

Advancing years and declining health admonish me to seek quiet
and repose; but I beg to assure you that, though retired from active
duties as an officer of the Society, I shall ever feel a lively interest in
its welfare, and a desire that its efforts for “the promotion of useful
knowledge” may successfully continue.

R. M. PATTERSON.

And, on motion of Prof. Frazer, the Secretary was instruct-
ed to address a letter to Dr. Patterson, expressive of the high
estimation in which the Society has always held him, and of
their deep regret that he should find it necessary to decline be-
ing again a candidate.

On motion of Mr. Trego, it was resolved that the sealed
paquet transmitted by Mr. Michaux, be deposited in the docu-
ment box of the Society, which is placed for safe keeping in
the vault of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

De la Différence du Pouvoir dispersif des deux Electricités. (Note
de M. Zantedeschi, communiquée par M. Arago. Comptes Ren-
dus de l’Acad. des Sciences. Tome XXXV.) 4to.—From M.
Zantedeschi.

Notice Historique sur M. R. Fulton. Par M. André Michaux, Mem-
bre de la Société Nationale et Centrale d’Agriculture. Paris.
Ato.—From the Author.

Explanations and Sailing Directions, to accompany the Wind and
Current Charts, approved by Commodore Charles Morris, Chief
of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, and published by
authority of Hon. William A. Graham, Secretary of the Navy-

VOL. V.—2 s

294

By Lieut. M. F. Maury, U.S. N. Fourth Edition. Washington,
1852. 4Ato.—From the Author.
A set of Charts, on 36 sheets, comprising Wind and Current Charts,
Pilot Charts, Whale Charts, &c. By Lieut. M. F. Maury, U.S.
- N. Washington, 1849—1852.—From the same.
Catalogue of the Officers, Teachers and Students of the University
- of Northern Pennsylvania, from Nov. 3, 1851, to Sept. 30, 1852:
together with the Address of the Hon. George W. Woodward,
delivered before the University, April 1, 1852. Honesdale. 8vo.—
From William Duane, Esq.

The African Repository. Vol. XXVIII. Nos. 10, 11. Oct. and
Nov. 1852. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colont-
zalton Socvety.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 119. Nov. 1852.
Philada. 8vyo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 5. Nov.
1852. N. ¥.and Philada. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Edi-
tor.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXIV. No.
5. Nov. 1852. Philada. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Oct. 1892.
Boston. S8vo.—From the Society.

Contributions to Conchology. By Prof. C. B. Adams. No. 11.
Amherst. S8vo.— From the Author.

Dr. Meigs announced the death of Dr. Drake, a member of
the Society, who died at Cincinnati on the 5th inst., in the
67th year of his age; and, on motion of Dr. Dunglison, Dr.
Meigs was appointed to prepare an obituary notice of the de-
ceased member.

Mr. Trego adverted to the remarks made by him at the last
meeting, on certain mineral specimens found on the table land
west of the Rio del Norte, and laid before the Society some
fine specimens of copper ore, from the same region. These he
had temporarily mislaid at the last meeting; but had since
found them. They are chiefly specimens of native copper,
and were given him by Dr. Hammond, of the U.S. Army,
who found that smelting establishments had existed in the lo-
eality in which the specimens were obtained, but had been
abandoned.

299

Dr. Dunglison, Clerk of Board of Officers and Council, read
the Minutes of the proceedings at the last meeting of the
Board.

Pending and new nominations for membership were read.

Stated Meeting, December 3.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, a recently elected member, was pre-
sented, and took his seat.

A letter was read from the Historical Society of Pennsylva-
nia, communicating their thanks for No. 47, of the Proceed-
ings of this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 5. Sept. and Oct. 1852. Philada. 8vo.—From
the Academy:

An Expedition into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake ‘of Utah; in-
cluding a Description of its Geography, Natural History, and
Minerals, and an Analysis of its Waters: with an Authentic Ac-
count of the Mormon Settlement. Also a Reconnaissance of a
New Route through the Rocky Mountains; and two large and
accurate Maps of that region. By Howard Stansbury, Captain
Corps of Topographical Engineers, U.S. Army. Philadelphia,
1852. 8vo.—From Major Hartman Bache.

The Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints, in the Valley of the Great Salt
Lake: A History of their rise and progress, peculiar doctrines,
present condition and prospects;—derived from personal observa-
tion during a residence among them. By Lieut. J. W. Gunni-
son, of the Topographical Engineers. Philada. 1852. &vo.—
From the same.

The Astronomical Journal. No. 50. (Vol. III. No. 2.) Nov. 20,
1852. Cambridge, Mass. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr.,
Editor.

296

Report of Experiments on Gunpowder, made at Washington Arsenal
in 1843 and 1844. By Capt. Alfred Mordecai, of the Ordnance
Department. Washington, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.

Second Report of Experiments on Gunpowder, made at Washington
Arsenal, in 1845, 1847 and 1848. By Brevet Major Alfred
Mordecai, of the “Ordnance Department. Washington, 1849.

- 8vo.—Lrom the same.

The Ordnance Manual, for the use of the Officers of the United
States Army. Second Edition. Washington, 1850. 8yvo.—
From the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XII. No.
7,8. May 14. June 11, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the So-
ciety.

Dr. Dunglison, Secretary, reported the following letter, writ-
ten by him to the President, Dr. Patterson, according to the
direction of the Society at the last meeting.

Am. Philosophical Society, Nov. 19, 1852.

Sir,—I am instructed, by the American Philosophical Society, to
express to you the sincere regret with which they have received the
announcement of your intention to decline being again a candidate for
the office of President of the Society; and to assure you of the affec-
tionate esteem which the members entertain for you, and their high
sense of the able, dignified and courteous manner in which you have
discharged the duties that have devolved upon you for several years,
as their presiding officer. Whilst they sympathize with you on the mo-
tives which have admonished you to decline being again a candidate,
they fervently hope that one of them,—* declining health,’—may
soon cease to oppress you, and that you may be destined for many
years of healthful and happy enjoyment.

I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
ROBLEY DUNGLISON,
Sec. Am. Phil. Soc.
Dr. R. M. Parrerson,
President of the Am. Phil. Soc.

The Rey. Dr. Boardman, in pursuance of an appointment
at a former meeting, read an obituary notice of the Hon. Daniel
Webster.

29%

Judge Kane announced the death of the Hon. John Sergeant,
a member of the Society, who died on the 23d ultimo, in the
73d year of his age.

The Treasurer presented his Annual Report, which was read,
and referred to the Committee of Finance.

No report being received from the Committee of Publica-
tion, the subject was postponed to the next meeting.

Nominations for membership were read.

Stated Meeting, December 17.
Present, thirty members.
Judge Kans, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. Pancoast, a recently elected member, was introduced
and took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From the Hon. Edward Everett, Secretary of State, dated
Department of State, Washington, 15th December, 1852, on
returning Dunn’s Map of the British Empire, of 1774, loaned
by this Society, in 1828, to the United States’ Commission for
submitting the question of the disputed North-eastern boundary
to the arbitration of the King of the Netherlands: and—

From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
Moscow, 4—16 June, 1852, accompanying a donation for the
Library.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. Année
1851. Nos. 3, 4. Année 1852. No.1. Moscou. 8vo.—From
the Society.

Die Mineral Regionen der obern Halbinsel Michigan’s, N. A. am
Lake Superior und die Isle Royal. Von C. L. Koch, &c. &c.
Mit einer geognostischen Karte. Gdttingen, 1852. 8vo.—From
Prof. Hausmann.

The Documentary History of the State of New York: Arranged

298

under the direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary
of State. By E. B. O’Callaghan, M.D. Vol. II. Albany, 1850.
Ato.—From the Regents of the University of the State of N. Y.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. V. No. 3.
Newark, 1852. 8vo.— From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXIV. No. 6.

~ Dec. 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. X. No. 120. Dec. 1852.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U. S. Military Acade-
my at West Point, N. Y., from March 16, 1802, to January 1,
1850. Compiled by Capt. George W. Cullum, Corps Engineers
U.S. Army. New York, 1850. 8vo.—From Major Hartman
Bache.

A Collection of Tables and Formule, useful in Geodesy and Practi-
cal Astronomy; including Elements for the projection of Maps.
Prepared by order of the Topographical Bureau, for the use of
the Corps of Topographical Engineers: By Capt. T. J. Lee, Topo-
graphical Engineer. Washington, 1849. 8vo.—From the same.

Determination of the Latitude with Zenith and Equal Altitude Tele-
scope. By Capt. T. J. Lee, U.S. Corps Topographical Engi-
neers. Washington. 4to.—From the same.

Longitude by Lunar Culminations. Published by the Topographical
Bureau of the War Department. Washington. 4to.—From
the same. “

Three Pamphlets, entitled: Remarks on the Circular Letters to the
Secretary of War, to be signed by the Artillery Officers; with a
Review of the Memoir on the U.S. Artillery, January, 1852:—
Notice of a Reply to the Review of a Memoir on the U.S. Ar-
tillery :—The Ordnance and the Artillery.—From the same.

Report to the House of Representatives of the U. S. of America,
vindicating the rights of Charles T. Jackson to the Discovery of
the Anesthetic effects of Ether Vapour, and disproving the claims
of W. T. G. Morton to that discovery. Presented to the House
of Representatives Aug. 28, 1852, by Hon. Edward Stanley, of
North Carolina, and Hon. Alexander Evans, of Maryland, Mem-
bers of the Select Committee on the Ether Discovery. 8vo.—
From an Anonymous Donor.

Dr. Kane announced to the Society a second projected expe-
dition to the Arctic regions, in search of Sir John Franklin,
and gave, at length, an account of the objects of the same, and

299

of the efforts that had already been made in the same direc-
tion:—Whereupon, after some remarks by Mr. H. D. Gilpin,
on motion of Prof. Frazer, it was—

Resolved, That a Committee of five members be appointed to act
in concert with Dr. Kane, with the Coast Survey, the Smithsonian
Institution, and such Societies as have determined to co-operate with
him in carrying into effect the scientific objects of the expedition.

The Committee, appointed under the foregoing resolution,
consists of Prof. Frazer, Mr. H. D. Gilpin, Prof. A. D. Bache,
Prof. Henry and Dr. Dunglison:—to which, on motion of Prof.
Frazer, to increase the number of the Committee, Mr. Justice
and Mr. D. 5. Smith were added.

Dr. Dunglison presented the two following resolutions,
which were adopted by the Society:—

1. Resolved, That the American Philosophical Society highly ap-
preciates the enlightened zeal exhibited by the Hon. John P. Kennedy,
Secretary of the Navy, in the furtherance of scientific inquiry, and
the declaration contained in his recent Annual Report, ‘that constant
employment of ships and men in the promotion of valuable public
interests—whether in defence of the honour of our flag, or the explo-
ration of the field of discovery and opening of new channels of trade,
or in the enlarging of the boundaries of science—will, he is con-
vinced, be recognised both by the government and the people, as the
true and proper vocation of the Navy, and as the means best calcu-
lated to nurse and strengthen that prompt and gallant devotion to
duty, which is so essential to the character of accomplished officers,
and so indispensable to the effectiveness of the naval organization.”

2. Resolved, That whilst this Society experiences the deepest in-
terest in the scientific and other advantages to be derived from the
various exploratory expeditions that have been recently instituted,
and some of which are in progress,—its sympathies are especially en-
listed in the success of one emanating from the philanthropy and mu-
nificence of two individuals of our country, and which is to be under
the guidance of an enterprising and accomplished member of this
Society, already celebrated for his adventurous energy in the same
cause, and whose services have been especially enlisted by the dis-
tinguished lady whose persevering efforts for the discovery of her lost
husband will transmit her name to all times as that of a model

300

of energetic and affectionate devotion ;—and that it has been a source
of gratification to this Society that the Secretary of the Navy should
have sanctioned, with so much promptness, the new expedition, by
granting the necessary permission to Dr. Kane to be on special ser-
vice, as well as by the liberal and appropriate recommendation to
Congress, that should it become requisite in the field of operations to
which he is destined, “to provide him with means for the prosecution
of scientific discovery beyond those which may be afforded by the
department, and the liberality of the distinguished gentlernen who
have assumed the charge of this expedition, that that body will re-
spond to the suggestions of this necessity with a prompt appreciation
and generous support of an undertaking so honourable to humanity
and so useful to the enlargement of liberal science.”

On motion of Mr. Trego, it was resolved that the Secretary
be instructed to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the
Secretary of the Navy.

Dr. Kane recounted to the Society the reasons which in-
duce him to believe that Sir John Franklin is still alive.

Mr. Fraley, from the Committee of Finance, exhibited the
Minutes of the Committee, in which it was stated that they
had examined the Report of the Treasurer, and found it cor-
rect. The following appropriations, for the service of the
Society for the current fiscal year, were recommended by the
Committee and directed by the Society:—

For the Proceedings, - - - - $100
» Binding, - - - - 50

55 Journals - - - - 50
staal - - - - - 150

» General Account, - - - 1100
$1450

Pending and new nominations were read.

Mr. Fraley, from the Committee on the Alteration of the
Laws of the Society, reported progress, and stated that they
would probably be able to report at the next stated meeting of
the Society.

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL

Vier Vi JANUARY—JUNE, 1853.

Stated Meeting, January 7.

Present, twenty-four members.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

SOCIETY.

No. 49.

Judge Kanz, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The result of the annual election for officers of the Society,
held this day, was reported as follows:—

Counsellors for Three Years.

VOL. V.—2 T

President.
Franklin Bache, M.D.

Vice-Presidents.
A. Dallas Bache, LL.D.
Hon. John K. Kane,
Robley Dunglison, M.D.

Secretaries.
John F. Frazer,
Charles B. Trego,
EK. Otis Kendall,
Frederick Fraley.

Isaac Hays. M.D.
Charles D. Meigs, M.D.
Henry Vethake,
Jacob G. Morris.

Curators.
Franklin Peale, —
John C. Cresson,

M. Fisher Longstreth.

Treasurer.

Charles B. Trego.

362

The chair was then taken by Dr. Franxiin Bacue, the
President elect.

Letters were read:-~

From the Hon. John P. Kennedy, Secretary of the Navy,
acknowledging the receipt of the resolutions passed at the last
meeting; and expressing his gratification at the action of the
Society in relation to the recommendations in his late report,
with regard to the Expedition to the Arctic regions, and the
furtherance of scientific inquiry :— ;

From Don Severiano Moraleda, dated Cadiz, Nov. 20, 1852,
in relation to a donation for the Library of the Society, from
the Director of the Hydrographic Department, at Madrid:—

From Don Jorge Lasso de la Vega, dated Direccion de Hi-
drografia, Madrid, October 19, 1852, announcing a donation
of maps, charts and books, from that Department to the Socie-
ty, with a catalogue of the same: and—

From the Royal Institution, dated Albemarle street, Lon-
don, Noy. 30, 1852, accompanying a donation for the Library,
and requesting that copies of the publications of the Society
may be presented to the Royal Institution.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Mémoires de Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg.
VI. Série. Sciences Mathematiques, Physiques et Naturelles.
Tome VIII. Seconde Partie. Sciences Naturelles. Tome VI.
livraisons 3, 5,6. St. Petersbourg, 1849. 4to.—From the Im-
perial Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg.

Mémoires presentés a l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de St. Pe-
tersbourg, par divers Savants, et lus dans ses assemblées. Tome
VI. livr. 2, 3. St. Petersbourg, 1848, 1849. 4to.—From the
same.

Stellarum Fixarum imprimis duplicium et multiplicium positiones
medize, pro epocha, 1830, 0. Auctore F. G. W. Struve. St.
Petersburg, 1852. Folio.—From the same.

Sur les Dimensions des Anneaux de Saturne: par M. Otto Struve.
St. Petersburg, 1852. 4to.—F rom the same.

Resultats des Operations Geodésiques de M. M. G. Fuss, Sawitsch et

303

Sabler; executées en 1836, 1837, dans la Province Caucasienne.
Par M. W. Struve. 4to.—From the same.

Exposé Historique des travaux executés jusqu’ ala fin de l’année
1851, pour la Mesure de arc du Meridien entre Fuglenes, 70°
40', et Ismail, 45° 20’. Par W. Struve, Directeur de ’Observa-
toire Central de Russie. Suivi de deux Rapports de M. G. Lind-
hagen, Astronome de Observatoire Central, sur l’Expedition de
Finnmarken, en 1859, et sur les Operations de Lapponie, exe-
cutées en 1851. St. Petersburg, 1852. 4to.—F rom the same.

Messungen zur Bestimmung des Héhenunterschieds zwischen den
Schwarzen und Caspischen Meere; von G. Fuss, Sawitsch und
Sabler, 1836, 1837. St. Petersbourg, 1849. 4Ato.— From the
same.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XX. Part 3:
for the session 1851, 1852. Edinburgh. 4to. Proceedings of
the same. Session 1851, 1852. Vol. III]. No. 42. Edinburgh.
8vo.—From the Society.

The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 32. Vol.
VIII. Part 4. Nov. 1, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Soci-
ety.

Bulletin de la Société de Geographie. IV. Série. ‘Tomes II. HI.
Paris, 1851, 1852. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annales des Mines. V. Série. Tome I. 2 livraison de 1852. Paris.
8vo.— From the Engineers of ? Ecole des Mines.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XV. No. 43. Jan. 1853. New Haven. 8vo.—From the Edi-
tors, Professors Silliman & Dana.

On the Siliceous Bodies of the Chalk and other Formations, in reply
to Mr. J. Toulmin Smith. By J. S. Bowerbank, F. R. 8S. G. 8.
&c. 1847.—Microscopical Observations on the Structure of the
Piterodactylus Giganteus and other Fossil Animals. By the
same, 1848:—On a Siliceous Zoophyte, Aleyonites Parastitcum.
By the same, 1849:—On the Pterodactyles of the Chalk Forma-
tion. By thesame, 1851. London. 8vo.—From the Author.

Address to the British Association: by Col. Edward Sabine, R. A.
Treasurer and Vice-president of the Royal Society, 1852. 8vo.—
From the Author.

A Discourse on the Life and Character of Daniel Webster. By H.
A. Boardman, D.D. Philadelphia, 1852. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

Letter to Lord Mahon, being an Answer to his Letter addressed to

304

the Editor of Washington’s Writings. By Jared Sparks. Boston,
1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

Report of Lieut. Col. Graham, on the subject of the Boundary Line
between the United States and Mexico. August, 1852. Wash-
ington. 8vo.— From the Author.

: Conspectus Generum Avium: Auctore Carlo Luciano Bonaparte.
' Leyden, 1850. 8vo.—From George Ord.

A Compilation of the Registers of the Army of the United States,
from 1815 to 1837 inclusive. By William A. Gordon, of the
War Department. Washington, 1837. 8vo.—From Major
Hartman Bache.

Cavalry Tactics. 3 vols. Printed by order of the War Department.
Washington, 1841.—From the Adjutant General, United States
Army.

Instruction for Heavy Artillery: prepared by a Board of Officers for
the use of the Army of the United States. Washington, 1851.—
Instruction for Mountain Artillery: by a Board of Army Officers.
Washington, 1851.—Instruction for Field Artillery, Horse and
Foot; compiled by a Board of Artillery Officers. Baltimore,
1845.—-Same; translated from the French, and arranged for the
Service of the United States, by Robert Anderson, Captain Uni-
ted States Army. Philadelphia, 1889.—The Sword Exercise,
arranged for Military Instruction, by Brevet Major Henry C.
Wayne, United States Army. Washington, 1850.—Manual of
Bayonet Exercise; prepared for the use of the Army of the
United States. By George B. M‘Clellan, Brevet Captain United
States Army. Philadelphia, 1852.—School of Cavalry: or a
System of Organization, Instruction, and Manceuvres, proposed
for the Cavalry of the United States: by William Theobald
Wolfe Tone, Lieutenant United States Artillery. Georgetown,
D. C. 1824.—From the same.

Regulations for the Uniform and Dress of the Army of the United
States. June, 1851. From the original text and drawings in the
War Department. Philadelphia, 1851. Folio.—From the same.

The Practice of Courts Martial. By Alexander Macomb, Major
General of the Army of the United States. New York, 1841.
8vo.— From the sume.

Hints on the Medical Examination of Recruits for the Army: and on
the Discharge of Soldiers from Service on Surgeon’s Certificate.
Adapted to the Service of the United States. By ‘Thomas Hen-

305

derson, M. D. Assistant Surgeon United States Army. Philadel-
phia, 1840. S8vo.—From the same.

Prof. Frazer, from the Committee on Dr. Kane’s proposed
Expedition to the Arctic regions, reported a Memorial to Con-
gress on that subject, which the Committee recommend for
adoption by the Society. The Memorial was read, considered
and adopted, and was ordered to be signed by the proper offi-
cers and forwarded to both Houses of Congress.

The Rev. Dr. Boardman exhibited to the Society a specimen
of rock-crystal, from the Alps, of unusual clearness and beauty.
It is cut and polished in a graceful form and manner. Length,
42 inches; diameter, 23 by 2 inches.

Judge Kane referred to the experimental trial of the calo-
ric-engine vessel, recently made at New York. He had
been assured by gentlemen who were on board the vessel, a
clipper-built ship of about 2000 tons burthen, that the engine,
on a first trial, and under unfavourable circumstances, pro-
pelled the vessel at a rate of more than six miles per hour: the
maximum speed, with the wind, was fifteen miles per hour.
The amount of fuel consumed during the trip was between one- '
quarter and one-fifth of that required for a steam-engine of the
same power; and a great advantage also results from the lesser
space occupied by the caloric-engine, and the greater safety
from fire. —

The Judge remarked that, if there was no mistake in all this,
it would seem that the time anticipated by scientific mechanics
had now come, when the steam-engine would become one of
the things that ewere.

Mr. Justice said that the beautiful specimen of rock-crystal,
shown this evening, reminded him of a phenomenon recently
observed by him in his microscopical observations—and asked
for information on the subject. A portion of the ordinary sil-
vering solution was evaporated, and the crystals, while on the
hot slide of the microscope, exhibited no evidence of polariza-
tion of light; but on cooling the ordinary display of beautiful
colours appeared.

Mr. Trego, from the Committee of Publication, presented

306

the Annual Report of that Committee, together with a state-
ment of their Treasurer’s Accounts, which were read.

Mr. Fraley, from the Committee appointed to consider alter-
ations in the Laws of the Society, presented the following Re-
port:—

The Committee appointed to consider and report whether any, and
if any, what alterations or amendments should be made in the Laws
of the Society, have attended to that duty, and respectfully present,
herewith, such amendments and alterations as in their judgment will
be found beneficial: And in order that the same may be properly and
conveniently placed before the members for consideration, they re-
commend the adoption of the following resolutions :—

Resolved, That the Laws of the Society, as proposed to be alter-
ed and amended by the Report of the Committee, be printed under
their direction, for the use of the members of the Society.

Resolved, That the proposed amendments shall be considered by
the Society, as in committee of the whole, at the next stated meeting ;
and that the Laws, as they may be proposed for adoption by the Re-
port of the Committee of the Whole, shall be fairly written out for
the final action of the Society thereon, agreeably to the provisions of
the existing laws.

The present reading of the reported amendments was, on
motion, dispensed with,—and the resolutions were adopted.

Dr. Boardman inquired concerning a catalogue of the Soci-
ety’s library,—and explanation was made upon the subject by
the President and the Librarian.

On motion of Judge Kane, a Committee was appointed to
consider and report upon some plan for the better accommoda-
tion and more convenient arrangement of the Society’s Li-
brary :—the Committee consists of Judge Kane, Mr. Trego and
Dr. Boardman.

307

Stated Meeting, January 21.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Franxirn Bacue, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read: —

From Baron Joseph Von Hammer Purgstall, dated Vienna,
7th Noy. 1851, accompanying a donation for the Library, and
in relation to an exchange of the publications of the Imperial
Academy of Sciences at Vienna, and those of this Society:
and—

From the Albany Institute, dated Albany, Jan. 11, 1853,
announcing a donation for the Library, and acknowledging the
receipt of certain Nos. of the Proceedings of this Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Archives du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle: publiées par les Profes-
seurs Adininistrateurs de cet Etablissement. Tome V. liv. 4.
Tome VI. liv. 1,2. Paris. 4to.—From the Museum.

Catalogue Méthodique de la Collection des Mammiferes ;—de la Col-
lection des Oiseaux, et des Collections annexées: par le Prof. Ad-
ministrateur, M. Isidore Geoffroy de St. Hilaire, et les Aides Na-
turalistes, M. M. Florent Prevost et Pucheran. I. Partie. Paris,
1851. 8vo.—Catalogue Méthodique de la Collection des Rep-
tiles, 2e livr. par le Prof. Administrateur, M. C. Dumeril, &c.
Aide Naturaliste, M. Aug. Dumeril, &c. Paris, 1851. 8vo.—
From the same.

Jahrbiicher der Literatur. Bande 125 to 128 inclusive. Jan. Dec.
1849. Vienna. 8vo.—From the Baron J. Von Hammer
Purgstall.

Rede des Prasidenten der Kaiserlichen Akad. der Wissenschaften,
Freiherrn Von Hammer Purgstall, bei der feierlichen Hréffnaung
derselben am 2 Februar. 1848. 8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. New
Series. Vol. II. Part 3. Philadelphia. 4to.—From the Aca-
demy.

Transactions of the Albany Institute. Vol. II. Albany, 1833, 1852.
8vo.—From the Institute.

308
J
Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. No.

4. Nov. 1852. Philadeiphia. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXV. No. 1.
January, 1853. Philadelphia. S8Svo.—From the Institute.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XLIX. New
Series. January, 1858. Philadelphia. 8Svo.—From Dr. Hays,
Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 121. January, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Introductory Lecture to the Course of Chemistry, delivered in Jef-
ferson Medical College, October 18, 1852. By Franklin Bache,
M.D. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Author.

.New Varieties of Goid and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins and Bul-
lion: with Mint Values. Second Edition. By J. R. Eckfeldt and
W. i. Dubois, Assayers of the Mint of the United States. To
which is added a Brief Account of the Collection of Coins be-
longing to the Mint. Second Edition, enlarged: by W. E. Du-
bois. New York, 1851. S8vo.— From the Author.

The ‘Astronomical Journal. No. 51. Vol. III. No. 3. January 6,
1852. Cambridge. 8vo.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr. Editor.

Dr. Kane announced to the Society that a communication
has been received from the British Consul General, on the part
of Sir Francis Beaufort, of the Hydrographic Office, announc-
ing the wish of the Admiralty to co-operate, by suggestive and
other material, in the object of the proposed American Expe-
dition to the Arctic regions,—and stated that the preparations
for the expedition are in favourable train.

Mr. Trego was re-elected Librarian.

The following Standing Committees were appointed:
Finance; Mr. Wagner, Mr. Fraley, Mr. Justice.
Hall; Judge Kane, Mr. F. Peale, Mr. Justice.
Library ; Dr. Hays, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Ord.
Publication ; Mr. Trego, Dr. Elwyn, Prof. Frazer.

The catalogue of surviving members of the Society was
read, from which it appears that the number on the list, on the
first of January, 1853, was 363;—of whom are resident in the
United States, 261,—and in foreign countries, 102.

309

The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for mem-
bership. ;

The letters read this evening from the Baron Von Hammer
Purgstall, and from the Albany Institute, relative to an ex-
change of publications with this Society, were referred to the
Librarian, with power to act.

The consideration of the Amendments to the Laws of the
Society, reported from the Committee on that subject, was, on
motion of Judge Kane, postponed to the next stated meeting.

All other business having been concluded, the ballot boxes
were opened, and the following named gentlemen were de-
clared by the presiding officer to be duly elected members of
the Society:

A. L. Crewe, of Berlin.

C. F. Gauss, of Gottingen.

Aveustin Caucuy, of Paris.

J. Liovvitxe, of Paris.

Dr. J. G. Friiaer, U. S. Consul at Leipsic.
Prof. O. M. Mrreuett, of Cincinnati.
Rosert M. Bran, M.D. of Philadelphia.
Joun L. Leconrz, M.D. of Philadelphia.
Epwarp KE. Law, of Philadelphia.

Capt. W. F. Lyneu, U.S. Navy.

Hon. Joun P. Kennepy, Secretary of the Navy.
Major Atrrep Morpezcai, U.S. Army.

Stated Meeting, February 4.
Present, sixteen members.
Judge Kanr, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Mr. Edward E. Law, Dr. John L. Leconte, and Mr. John
Cassin, recently elected members, were presented to the presi-
ding officer and took their seats.

Letters were read:—

From Major Alfred Mordecai, dated Washington Arsenal,

VOL. V.—2 U

310

Jan. 29, 1853; from Edward E. Law, dated Walnut street,
29th Jan. 1853; from John L. Leconte, dated Philadelphia,
Feb. 2, 1853,—severally acknowledging the receipt of notice
of their election as members of the Society :—

From the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford,
Feb. 2, 1853; and from the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia, dated Feb. 2, 1853, returning thanks for the Pro-
ceedings of this Society, No. 48:—

From the Proprietors of the Bowditch Library, dated Bos-
ton, Jan. 29, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of the Transac-
tions of this Society, Vol. X. Part 2; and of Nos. 44, 45, 46 of
the Proceedings: and—

From Mr. George Parish, dated Ogdensburg, N. Y. 21st
Jan. 1853, informing the Society, on the part of the heirs of
the late David Parish, that the Society is welcome to remain
in possession of the Collection of Coins and Medals deposited
with them by said David Parish, with the exception of two
pieces, which it is desired should be returned to George Parish.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Biblioteca Maritima Espanola; obra postuma del Excmo. Sefior Don
Martin Fernandez de Navarrete, &c. &c. 2 vols. 8vo. Madrid,
1852.—From the Hydrographic Department at Madrid.

Diccionario Marino: Espaiiol-Ingles, y Ingles-Espaiiol ; para el uso del
Colegio Naval. Por Don Juan José Martinez de Espinosa y Ta-
con, Comandante General, &c. &c. 2 yols. 8vo. Madrid, 1849.—
From the same.

Coleccion Completa de Tablas, para los usos de la Navegacion y
Astronomia Nautica: por el Capitan Don José de Mendoza y
Rios, &c. &c. Madrid, 1850. 4to.—From the same.

Esplicacion de las Tablas de Navegacion y Astronomia Nautica de
Don José Mendoza y Rios. Por Don José Sanchez y Cerquero.
Madrid, 1851. 4to.—From the same.

Almanaque Nautico, y Ephemérides Astronomicas, para los afios de
1853 y 1854. Madrid. S8vo.— From the same.

Combate de Trafalgar. Vindicacion de Ja Armada Espanola: Por
Don Manuel Marliani, Ex-Senador del Reino. Madrid, 1850.
8vo.—From the same.

311

Ordenanzas de Pesca, para los Provincias de Pontevedra y la Coru-
ha, &c. Madrid, 1850. 4to.—F rom the same.

Catalogo de las Cartas, Planos, &c. pertenicientes a la Direccion de
Hidrografia de Madrid. No. 14. 8vo.—From the same.

Charts and Maps of the Islands of Teneriffe, Fuerteventura, Lanza-
rote; the Western Coast of Africa, from Cape St. Paul to Formo-
sa; the Bay of San Juan de Luz; Ria de Vigo; the Ports of
Holmes’ Hole, Zebu, Laguimanoc and Busainga, Batan, and the
Bay of Nin and Mandao.—F rom the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XiI. No.
4. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Nov. 1852.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 6. Noy. Dec. 1852. . Philadelphia. 8vo.—From
the Academy.

Report of a Geological Survey of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota ;
and incidentally of a portion of Nebraska Territory; made under
instructions from the United States Treasury Department. By
David Dale Owen, United States Geologist. With a volume of
Illustrations. Philadelphia, 1852. 4to.—F'rom the Hon. H. S.
Geyer, U. S. Senate.

Plans for the Artillery of the United States: drawn and engraved
under the direction of Major Alfred Mordecai, of the Ordnance
Department. Parts 1 to 13, inclusive.—From Col. H. K. Craig,
U. S. Ordnance Department.

Arte de la Lengua Quichua: por el P. Diego de Torres Rubio, de la
Compania de Jesus. Lima, 1700. 12mo.—from Dr. Ruschen-
berger.

Reprint of the Original Letters from Washington to Joseph Reed,
during the American Revolution, referred to in the Pamphlets of
Lord Mahon and Mr. Sparks. By William B. Reed. Philadel-
phia, 1852. 8vo.—From W. B. Reed, Esq.

A Tribute to the Memory of Peter Collinson;—with some notice of
Dr. Darlington’s Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey
Marshall. Second Edition. By William H. Dillingham. Phila-
delphia, 1852. 8vo.—From the Author. .

Report of the Committee of the House of Representatives of the
United States, to whom was referred the Memorial of Dr. W. T.
G. Morton, asking remuneration for the Ether Discovery. Wash-
ington, 1852. 8vo.—Donor unknown.

312

The Astronomical Journal, No. 52. Cambridge, Jan. 27, 1852.
Ato.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 6. Dec. 1852.
New York and Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Edi-
t07".

_ Prof. Frazer announced the death of Sears C. Walker, a
member of this Society, on the 30th inst. at Cincinnati, in the
48th year of his age.

Remarks upon the scientific labours of Mr. Walker were
made by Prof. Frazer and Mr. Justice.

On motion, Prof. Frazer was appointed to prepare an obitu-
ary notice of the deceased member.

Mr. Justice offered, for the inspection of the members, a
“ Crystallotype”’ of the Moon, taken by John A. Whipple, of
Boston, through the great refracting telescope at Cambridge,
and presented to Mr. Justice by Marcus A. Root, daguerreo-
typist of this city.

This picture of the moon, small as it is, being only 5 inches long,
by 24 broad, is so perfectly distinct that all the well known localities
on the line of partial illumination, where the shadows are more fully
projected, can be easily recognised.

In tracing this line from north to south, we notice on the dark plain
of Mare Imbrium, the fully developed ring-mountains of Archimedes,
Aristillus and Autolycus, with the whole group lying within the curve
of the Apennines, whose dark shadows are contrasted with the en-
lightened side of the range. Continuing on nearly the same meri-
dian, south of the equator, the large circular expanse of Ptolemy,
united to Alphons, and Arzachel with its central hills, are all finely
indicated ; while Hipparchus, Thebit, and the surrounding pit-forma-
tions which exist throughout these mountain regions, form almost as
beautiful a display as when viewed through the telescope. ‘The effect
is much increased when the picture is viewed through a low magni-
fying power.

When we consider the small number of persons who have the op-
‘portunity of examining the moon through a good telescope, we are
able more fully to appreciate an art which can thus so graphically
transfer the likeness of this planet from the heavens to a parlour ta-
ble, for the convenience of our investigations in the study of seleno-
graphy.

313

Mr. Dubois laid before the Society a specimen of Australian
gold, in grains, from Mount Alexander.

Until within a few months, no specimen of gold from Australia
could be obtained by the mint, except by sending to the London mar-
ket. Recently, however, there have been four parcels brought hi-
ther for coinage, amounting to about $14,000. The sample herewith
shown is from one of those parcels, and is from the well-known min-
ing district of Mount Alexander, about 70 miles north of Port Phi-
lip, and 500 miles south-west from Sydney. The grains are quite
different in shape from those of California, being more globular or
shot-like; and the proportion of accompanying oxide of iron, and
extraneous substances, is found to be less by the loss in melting.
That loss scarcely exceeds 14 per cent. on the average, while the
best shipments of gold from California will average double that loss.
There is also a conspicuous difference in the amount of silver alloy
present. The particles from Australia varied from 960 to 966 thou-
sandths in fineness; the California gold may be said to average 875
to 885; making a difference in favour of the Australian gold, of
about ten per cent. in value.

The value of the latter, in the unmelted grains, may be stated at
{319.67 per ounce; after melting, twenty dollars per ounce, within a
few cents.

Mr. Fraley mentioned, in connection with this subject, that
a workman in the chemical manufactory of Mr. Lennig, in
this city, had obtained gold by washing from the sand on the
bank of the Delaware river, near Bridesburg, about five miles
above Philadelphia. The gold thus obtained, by a day’s la-

‘bour, was worth about twenty-five cents.

On motion of Mr. Trego, it was resolved that the Secretary
be instructed to communicate to Mr. George Parish, the thanks
of the Society for the liberality of his family in relinquishing
their claim to the collection of coins and medals deposited with

the Society by thé late David Parish, in the year 1816;—and

that he be directed to return to Mr. George Parish, the two
medals mentioned in his letter read this evening, which the
family wish to retain.

Mr. Trego, as Reporter, presented No. 48 of the Proceed-
ings of the Society, recently published.

314

The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting,—the consideration of the proposed amendments to
the Laws of the Society,—and resolved itself into a commit-
tee of the whole, Judge Kane in the chair, for the purpose of
considering the said amendments.

. After some time the Committee rose, and the Chairman re-
ported the draft submitted to them, with sundry amendments,
which report was agreed to;—and it was then ordered that
the further consideration of the amendments be postponed un-
til the next stated meeting of the Society.

Stated Meeting, February 18.

Present, seventeen members.

Juper Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Hon. John P. Kennedy, dated Washington, Feb.
5, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election to
membership of this Society: —

From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, dated
Oct. 30, 1852; and from the Royal Society of Sciences at
Upsal, without date,—accompanying donations to this Socie-
ty,—and acknowledging the receipt of Transactions and Pro-
ceedings:—

From the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford,
August 14, 1852; from Col. H. K. Craig, dated Ordnance
Office, Washington, Feb. 9, 1853; from Wm. B. Reed, Esq.
at the request of Lord Mahon, dated Feb. 16;—announcing
donations for the Library :—

From the American Antiquarian Society, dated Worcester,
Mass. Feb. 8, 1853; and from the New Jersey Historical So-
ciety, dated Newark, Feb. 12, 1853,—returning thanks for
No. 48 of the Proceedings: and—

From Mr. George Parish, dated Ogdensburg, N. Y. 13th
Feb. 1853, acknowledging the receipt of the two medals for-
warded to him by the Society, as directed at the last meeting.

315
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Acta Regiz Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis. 3d Series. Vol. I.
Part 1, 1851. Upsal. 4to.—From the Society.

Kongl. Vetenskaps—Akademiens Handlingar, for ar 1850. Afd. 1,
2. Stockholm, 1851.—8vo.—From the Royal Academy of Sci-
ences at Stockholm.

Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps—Akademiens Férhandlingar, 1851.
Stockholm. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Arsberattelse om Framstegen i Kemi, under Ar 1849; af L. F. Svan-

berg.

33 om Botaniska Arbeten, &c. for ar 1849; af J. E.
Wikstrém.

a om Framstegen i Insecternas, &c. for ar 1849, 1850; af

C. H. Boheman.
- om Technologiens Framsteg, 1847, 1848, 1849; af J.
E. Pasch. .
Berattelse om Framstegen Molluskernas, &c. under aren 1845—
1849; af S. Loven.
ae om Framstegen i Fysik, under ar 1850; af E. Edlund.—
From the same.

Mittlere Oerter von 12,000 Fix—Sternen, fiir den Anfang von 1836,
abgeleitet aus den Beobachtungen auf der Hamburger Stern-
warte, von Carl Riimker. 3 Abth. die 13 bis 18 stunde enthal-
tend: 4 Abth. erste halfte, 18 bis 21 stunde: 2 halfte, 22 und
23 stunde elthaltend. Hamburg, 1846, 1849, 1852. 4to.—
From the Author.

Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklyk—Nederland-
sche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoonen
Kunsten te Amsterdam. Derde Reeks. 5 Deel. Amsterdam,
1852. 4Ato.—From the Royal Netherlands Institute of Sci-
ence, Sc.

Tijdschrift voor de Wis—en Natuurkundige Wetenschappen, uitge-
geven door de Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche
Instituut, &c. V. Deel. Afl. 1, 2, 3. Amsterdam, 1851-2.
8vo.—From the same.

Jaarboek van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche Instituut, &c. voor
1851. Amsterdam. 8vo.—From the same.

Memorie della Reale Academia delle Scienze di Torino. Serie Se-

316

conda. Tomo XII. Torino, 1852. 4to.—From the Royal Aca-
demy of Sciences at Turin.

Journal of the Royal, Geographical Society of London. Vol. XXII.
London, 1852. 8vo.—From the Society.

Notices of the Meetings of the Members of the Royal Institution of
Great Britain: Part 2. July, 1851—July, 1852. And List of
the Members, Officers, &c. of the Royal Institution, with the
Report of the Visitors, for the year 1801. London. 8yvo.—
From the Royal Institution.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XIII. No.
1. Nov. 12, 1852. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. No. XIX. Oct. 1852.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Dec. 1852.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, ‘from 1636 to
1677. 2 vols. 8vo. Transcribed and published in accordance with
a Resolution of the General Assembly. By J. Hammond Trum-
bull, A.M. Cor. Sec. Conn. Hist. Society, &c. &c. Hartford,
1850, 1852.—From the Connecticut Historical Society.

Tribute to Gallaudet: A Discourse in commemoration of the Life,
Character and Services of the Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, LL.D.
delivered before the citizens of Hartford, Jan. 7, 1852: With an
Appendix, containing a History of Deaf Mute Instruction and
Institutions,—and other Documents. By Henry Barnard. Hart-
ford. 1852, 8vo.—From the same.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.—Memoir on the Extinct
Species of American Ox. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. Washington,
1852. 4to.—From the Smithsonian Institution.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXV. No 2.
Feb. 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Letter to Jared Sparks, Esq. being a Rejoinder to his “ Reply to the
Strictures of Lord Mahon and others, on the mode of editing the
Writings of Washington.” By Lord Mahon. London, 1852.
8vo.—From the Auther.

Artillery for the U. S. Land Service, as devised and arranged by the
Ordnance Board. With Plates. Prepared under the instructions
of the Board of Ordnance; by Brevet Major Alfred Mordecai, of
the Ordnance Department. Washington, 1849.—From Col. H.
K. Craig, U. S. Army.

317

Official Army Register, for 1853. Published by order of the Secre-
tary of War. Washington, 1853.—From Major Hartman
Bache.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 122. Feb. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Eighteenth Annual Report of the ‘Trustees of the Philadelphia Gas
Works, to the Select and Common Councils of the City of Phi-
ladelphia; Jan. 28, 1853. Svo.—From ff. Fraley, Esq.

The Astronomical Journal, No. 58. Feb. 11, 1853. Cambridge.
4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

Mr. Trego announced the death of Mr. William Peter, a
member of this Society, who died on the 6th inst., in the 64th
year of his age:—And, on motion, Mr. Job R. Tyson was
appointed to prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Peter.

The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting, which was the consideration of the amendments pro-
posed to the Laws of the Society,—the requisite notice to this
effect having been given in the advertisements of the meeting.

A paper was read from the President of the Society, pro-
posing amendments to the amendments.

A motion was made that the amendments be recommitted to
the committee, which was not agreed to.

A motion was then made, that the further consideration of
the subject be postponed to the next stated meeting of the So-
ciety, and that due notice to that effect be given by advertise-
ment,—which motion was agreed to.

Stated Meeting, March 4.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Secretary of l’Ecole des Mines, dated Paris, 2d Oct.
1852, accompanying a donation to this Society, and acknow-
ledging the receipt of several numbers of the Proceedings:—

VOL. V.—2 X

318

From the Royal Geographical Seciety of London, dated
Waterloo Place, Oct. 14, 1852, returning thanks for No. 47 of
the Proceedings: and— -

From the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, dated Feb. 16,
1853, acknowledging the receipt of No. 48 of the Proceedings
of this Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Flora Batava, of Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche
Gewassen. Afl. 168-172, inclusive. Amsterdam. 4to.—rom
the King of the Netherlands.

Annales des Mines. V. Série. Tome I. 3 livr. de 1852. Paris.
8vo.—From the Engineers of ( Ecole des Mines.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. No. XX. Jan. 1, 1853.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Sixth Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsoman
Institution, to the Senate and House of Representatives, showing
the operations, expenditures and condition of the Institution dur-
ing the year 1851; and the Proceedings of the Board of Re-
gents, up to date. Washington, 1852. 8vo.—From the Insit-
tution.

Smithsonian Report:—On Recent Improvements in the Chemical
Arts. By Prof. James C. Booth and Campbell Morfit. Washing-
ton, 1852. 8vo.—From the same.

Report on the Discipline and Management of the Convict Prisons,
and Disposal of Convicts, 1851; with Notes on the Construction
of Prisons, Treatment and Disposal of Juvenile Offenders, &c.
&c. By Lieut. Col. Jebb, C. B. Surveyor General of Prisons,
Chairman of the Directors, &c. London, 1852. S8vo.—From
Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.

Information concerning the History, Condition and Prospects of ihe
Indian Tribes of the United States: collected and prepared under
the direction of the Bureau of Indian affairs. By Henry R.
Schooleraft, LL.D. Illustrated by S. Eastman, Capt. U. S. Ar-
my- Published by authority of Congress. Part III. Philadel-
phia, 1853. 4to.—From Luke Lea, Esq. Commissioner of In-
dian Affairs.

Kighteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Young

J19

Men’s Mercantile Library Association, of Cincinnati: Jan. 4,
1853. Cincinnati. S8vo.—From the Association.

Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year 1852.
By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D. Physician to the Institution. Phi-
ladelphia. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

A Sermon preached to the Congregation at the Essex street Church,
Oct. 31, 1852, the Sabbath after the interment of the Hon. Dan-
iel Webster. By Nehemiah Adams, D.D. Pastor of the Essex
street Church, Boston. 2d Edition. Boston. 8vo.—From Geo.
C. Rand. |

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XV. No. 44. March, 1853. New Haven. 8vo.—From Prof.
Silliman & Dana, Editors.

The Plough, the Lcom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 2. Feb. 1853.
New York and Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Edi-
tor.

Mr. Trego announced the decease of Mr. Thomas Gilpin, a
member of this Society, who died on the 3d inst. aged 77.

The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting,—the further consideration of the proposed amend-
ments to the Laws of the Society. The amendments, .as re-
ported from the committee of the whole, were read, and further
amended,—and the amendments ordered to be reported to the
next meeting of the Society, for further action,—of which due
notice is to be given to the members.

Stated Meeting, March 18.
Present, thirty-one members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, President, in the Chair.

Dr. John Neill and Dr. John J. Reese, recently elected
members, were presented and took their seats.

A letter was read from the Secretary of |’Ecole des Mines,
dated Paris, 17th Nov. 1852, accompanying a donation for the
Library of the Society.

320

The following donations were announced :—

‘FOR THE LIBRARY.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Vol. XIII.
No. 2. Dec. 10, 1853. London. 8vo.—From the Society.
Annales des Mines. V. Serié. Tome II. 4 livr. de 1852. Paris.

8vo.—From the Enginecrs of Ecole des Mines.

Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, from the organ-
ization to the termination of the Proprietary Government: Pub-
lished by the State. 10 vols. 8vo. Harrisburg, 1852.—From
the State of Pennsylvania.

The Spirit of Rhode Island History: A Discourse delivered before
the Rhode Island Historical Society, Jan. 17, 1853. By the
Hon. Samuel Greene Arnold, Governor of Rhode Island. Pro-
vidence. 8vo.—From the R. I. Historical Society.

Sixth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State
of New York, on the State Cabinet of Natural History, and the
Historical and Antiquarian Collection annexed thereto. Jan. 22,
1853 :—And

Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library of the State of
New York; transmitted to the Legislature, Feb. 13, 1853. Alba-
ny. 8vo.—From the Regents of the University of the State of
New York.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXV. No. 3.
March, 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

A Discourse on the Life, Character and Services ef Daniel Drake,
M. D., delivered, by request, before the Faculty and Medical Stu-
dents of the University of Louisville. Jan. 7, 1858. By S. D.
Gross, M.D. Louisville. Svo.—From the Author. -

A Biographical Memoir of Samuel George Morton, M.D. Prepared
by appointment of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and
read before that body, Nov. 3, 1852. By George B. Wood,
M.D. President of the College. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the
Author.

Eulogy on the Character and Services of the late Daniel Webster :—
pronounced at the request of the Select and Common Councils cf
the City of Philadelphia, Jan. 18, 1853. By William H. Allen,
LL.D. President of the Girard College for Orphans. Philadel-
phia. 8vo.—From the Author.

eport of a Committee in the Senate of the United States, on the

Jal

Discovery of Aneesthetic Agents. Mr. Walker, Chairman. Wash-
ington, Feb. 19, 1853. 8vo.—From Hon. G. N. Fitch.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 123. March, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 3. March, 1853.
New York and Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Editor.

Description of the Remains of Extinct Mammalia and Chelonia, from
Nebraska Territory, collected during the Geological Survey under
Dr. D. D. Owen. By Joseph Leidy, M.D. of Philadelphia. 1852.

' Ato.—From the Author.

On the Extinct Species of American Ox. (Smithsonian Contributions
to Knowledge, Vol. V.) Description of an Extinct Species of
American Lion: Felis atrox.—A Memoir on the Extinct Dico-
tyline of America. (Trans. Am. Philos. Society, Vol. X.) By
Joseph Leidy, M.D. of Philadelphia, 1852. 4to.—. From the same.

Prof. Frazer announced the death of Dr. William E. Horner,
a member of this Society, who died on the 13th inst., aged 60
years.

On motion of Mr. Cresson, Judge Kane was appointed to
prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Thomas Gilpin, whose death
was announced at last meeting:—And,

On motion of Dr. Harris, Prof. Samuel Jackson, M.D., was
appointed to prepare an obituary notice of Dr. Horner.

Dr. Leconte presented a paper for the Transactions of the
Society, “On the Classification of the Carabide of the United
States,’ which was referred to Prof. Haldeman, Dr. Ruschen-
berger and Dr. Leidy, as a committee.

Dr. Kane called the attention of the Society to the prepara-
tions made for the proposed Expedition to the Arctic regions,
which is about to set out under his command. Dr. K. de-
scribed the peculiar provisions for the subsistence of the men;
the sledges intended for their use in passing over the ice, &c.,
and laid before the Society papers in relation to the outfit of the
expedition, consisting of letters from Sir John Richardson,
Captain Ross, Admiral Parry, Col. Sabine and others.

On motion of Mr. Fraley, it was resolved that application
be made by the Society to the Select and Common Councils of
the City, and to the Directors of the Girard College, for the
loan of such astronomical and magnetical instruments in their

possession, as may be useful in the observations intended to be
made during Dr. Kane’s proposed expedition to the Arctic re-
gions.

The Society then proceeded to the consideration of the
amendments of the Laws, as agreed to at the last meeting;—
and said amendments, and the Laws as so amended, were final-
ly adopted without dissent.

The following minute and resolution were offered by Judge
Kane, and adopted:—

It having been announced that Dr. Franklin Bache, the President
of the Society, and the Hon. Henry D. Gilpin and Dr. George B.
Wood, members thereof, are about to visit Europe, with the purpose
of making themselves familiar with the Scientific and Literary Insti-
tutions of Great Britain and the nations of the Continent ;—it was

Resolved, ‘That those gentlemen be severally requested to commu-
nicate, on behalf of the Society, with such of its foreign correspon-
dents as they may have opportunity to visit;—and that the Secretary
be instructed to invite for them such aid as may conduce to the attain-
ment of the object they have in view.

Stated Meeting, April 1.
Present, twelve members.
Dr. FrRanKLIN Bacuez, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From B. Augustin Cauchy, dated Paris, 11th March, 1853,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber of this Society: and—

From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset
House, 4th Nov. 1852, returning thanks for No. 47 of the Pro-
ceedings.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society: Vol. IX. Part 1. No.
33. Feb. 1, 1853. London. 8vo.—F rom the Society.

320

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XIII. No.
3. Jan. 14, 1853. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

The Mississippi and Ohio Rivers :—Containing plans for the protec-
tion of the Delta from inundation; and investigations of the prac-
ticability and cost of improving the navigation of the Ohio and
other rivers by means of reservoirs:—With an Appendix on the
Bars at the mouths of the Mississippi. By Charles Ellet, Civil
Engineer. Philadelphia, 1853. 8vo.—From the Author.

Message from the President of the United States, communicating a
Report of Lieut. Meigs, with surveys, plans and estimates for sup-
plying the cities of Washington and Georgetown with water.
Feb. 22, 1853. Washington. 8vo.—From Lieut. Meigs.

Third Annual Report of the President and Directors of the Bellefon-
taine and Indiana Railroad Company, to the Stockholders. Jan.
12, 18538. Cleveland, O.—8vo.—From W. Milnor Roberts,
Esq. Engineer.

Maps of Lake Erie, and of the West End of Lake Erie and Detroit
river; from Surveys under the direction of the Topographical
Bureau of the War Department. Washington, 1852.—From
Major Hartman Bache, U. S. A.

Fifth Annual Report of the Board of Managers of the House of Re-
fuge, with an Appendix. Philadelphia, 1853. 8vo.—From James
J. Barclay, Esq.

The Astronomical Journal, No. 54. (Vol. III. No. 6.) March 15,
1853. Cambridge. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr. Editor.

The committee to which was referred Dr. Leconte’s Paper
on the Classification of the Carabide of the United States,
made report, recommending its publication in the Transactions,
which was ordered accordingly.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, he was excused from preparing
a necrological notice of Sears C. Walker, deceased,—and A.
Dallas Bache, LL.D., was requested to prepare such notice.

Dr. Boyé called the attention of the Society to the uncertainty of
preserving papers, documents and coins in corner stones of buildings.
On recently opening the corner stone of the present High School
building of this city, erected 153 years ago, in order to deposit its
contents in the new building about to be erected, the papers &c.,
which had been deposited in a sealed glass jar, were found to be in a
perfectly decayed condition, and so saturated with water, that about

324,

an ounce separated by standing. ‘The silver coins were also highly
corroded by sulphur, particularly where in contact with a German
silver piece and a couple of small notes, at that time so common, and
known by the vulgar but now almost historical name of shin-plasters.

Stated Meeting, April 15.
Present, twenty-three members.

JupGe Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From A. L. Crelle, dated Berlin, 22d March, 1853, acknow-
ledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member of
the Society :—

From the Royal Danish Society of Sciences, dated Copen-
hagen, 27th Sept. 1852, accompanying a donation for the Li-
brary :—

From Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, dated Washington, 6th April,
1853, announcing a donation for the Library, made at his re-
quest, by the Council of the University of Chile.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Archives du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle: Tome VI. livr. 3, 4. Pa-
ris, 1852. 4to.—From the Professors of the Museum.

Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Skrifter. Femte
Reekke. Historisk og Philosophisk Afdeling. Férste Bind. 1852.
Kiobenhavn. 4to.—From the Royal Danish Society of Set-
ences.

Anales de la Universidad de Chile, correspondientes a los aos 1848,
hasta 1852. Santiago de Chile. 8vo.—/rom the University of
Ch te.

Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XXII. Part 3, Sci-
ence: Part 4, Polite Literature. 1852-3. Dublin. 4to.—From
the Academy.

Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, for the year 1851-2. Vol.
V. Part 2. Dublin. 8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Boston Society of Natural History ; June, 1852. Bos-
ton. 8vo.—From the Society.

320

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia:
Vol. VI. No. 7. Jan. and Feb. 18538. Philadelphia. 8vo.—
From the Academy.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society: Vol. V. No. 4.
Newark, 1853. 8vo.—From the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 8d Series. Vol. XXV. No. 4.
April, 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXIX. Nos. 1, 2, 3. Jan. Feb. March,
1853. Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.

‘The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. L. New Se-
ries. April, 1853. Philadelphia. Svo.—From Dr. Isaac Hays,
Editor.

The Medical Examiner and Record of Medical Science. New Series.
Vol. VIII. Nos. 8 to12: Vol. IX. Nos. 1 to 4. Philadelphia,
1852-3. 8vo.—From Dr. F. G. Smith, Editor.

The Medical News and Library: Vol. XI. No. 124. April, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard § Lea.

The Astronomical Journal. No. 55. (Vol. Jil. No. 7), March 28,
1853. Cambridge. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 4. April, 1853.
New York and Philadelphia. 8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Edt-
tor.

Thirty-fourth Annual Report of the Controllers of the Public Schools
of the City and County of Philadelphia, for the year ending June
30, 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—Donor unknown.

FOR THE CABINET.

Specimens of Petrified Wood, altered by the heat of the conflagration
at Barnum’s Museum, in Philadelphia, Jan. 2, 1852: and
An Indian Arrow from Oregon.—From Dr. Franklin Stewart.

Dr. Boyé referred to his communication to the Society at its last
meeting in regard to the decay of the articles deposited in the corner
stone of the High School. He stated, that at the request of the Com-
mittee of the Controllers on Property, he had given the subject a
further careful examination, and he is now satisfied, that the water
must have got in from the outside by infiltration, first through the
mortar into the cavity, and afterwards from this through the sealing
wax, with which the glass stopper was secured. ‘The corner stone
formed the lowermost north-west stone of the foundation of the main

VOL. V.—2 Y

326

building, and consisted of a block of blue marble, in which a rectan-
gular excavation had been made, which was closed on top by a
marble slab sunk down into the stone, and secured by common
rnortar. ‘The papers and coins had been deposited in a half gallon
wide-mouthed glass jar with glass stopper, secured by ordinary seal-
ing wax, and the jar laid down in a horizontal position, in direct con-
tact with the bottom of the cavity. When opened, the cavity itself
contained no water. The reasons which induce him to suppose that
the water found its way in from the outside at an early period, either
during or soon after the erection of the building, but subsequently
again evaporated from the cavity in the stone, are:—1. Though the
marble slab seems to have been well secured, there are evident signs of
a gradual infiltration on all sides of the cavity, but particularly on one
from a calcareous film deposited on it, most observable in the bottom of
the chisel-grooves. 2. A thin white film of carbonate of lime deposited
externally on one side of the jar, indicating a distinct water line. No
such water line, however, was perceptible in the cavity of the stone,
seeming to indicate that the infiltration and subsequent evaporation
had been gradual, and the jar floating. 3. The entire decolorization
and corrosion of the sealing wax outside the stopper, causing it to be
loose and friable. This action is ascribed to the lime of the water.
A portion of the sealing wax, which, during the sealing, had run into
the jar and yet adhered to the stopper, was discolored on the outer
surface, but perfectly fresh inside, and was found to consist of nothing
but the ordinary resinous matters and vermillion (sulphuret of mer-
cury), without oxide of lead or earthy matters. That outside left by
incineration a little more ash, which effervesced with acids. 4.
Traces of a thin layer of sealing wax having been secured in the molt-
en state between the stopper and the neck of the jar, and of its subse-
quent removal by the infiltration, so that the stopper now fits further in
the neck than when the jar was in the cavity. This is known by corre-
sponding stains on both the ground surfaces of the joint. The water in
the jar became almost entirely absorbed by the removal of the papers
from it. What was left of it, would not filter clear, it had a feeble alka-
line reaction on litmus, contained only traces of sulphuric acid and
lime, did not blacken metallic silver, [the jar was not opened or exa-
mined till about ten days after its removal,] yielded at first no precipt-
tate with nitrate of silver, but after some time a dark brown, and the
solution assumed a dark blood red colour. ‘The corrosion of the
coins was therefore mainly ascribed to the sulphur in the glue ox

oo7

sizing in the paper. The inside of the jar, where in contact with the
papers, was also stained by a black film of sulphuret of lead from the
oxide of lead contained in the glass.

The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting, the balloting for candidates for membership.

All other business having been concluded, the ballot boxes
were opened, and the following named gentlemen were de-
clared, by the presiding officer, to be duly elected members of
the Society.

Tuomas L. Parrerson, Chief Engineer of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal.

Henry Grinnewz, of New York.

Joun B. Bippte, M.D., of Philadelphia.

Stated Meeting, May 6.
Present, nine members.
Jupee Kanes, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From Henry Grinnell, dated New York, 19th April, 1853:—
and from Dr. John B. Biddle, dated Philadelphia, 22d April,
1853,—severally acknowledging the receipt of notice of their
election as members: —

From the Imperial Academy of Sciences at Vienna, dated
7th October, 1852, returning thanks for No. 47 of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society:—

From the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, dated Ber-
lin, llth November, 1852, accompanying a donation for the
Library: and—

Copy of a letter from Dr. J. G. Grunert, Professor of Ma-
thematics in the University of Greifswald, to Dr. J. G. Fliigel,
of Leipsic, dated Greifswald, 4th January, 1853, on transmit-
ting to him two copies of a work written by Dr. Grunert, and
requesting Dr. Fliigel to present one of them to this Society.

328
The following donations were announced :-—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Ber-

lin, aus dem Jahre 1851. Berlin. 4to.—From the Royal Aca-
. demy of Sciences, Berlin.

Monatsbericht der Konig!. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften
zu Berlin. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. 1852. Berlin. 8vo.— From the
same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Vol. XIII.
Nos. 4, 5. Feb. March, 1853. London. 8vo.—From the So:
ciety.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXV. No. 5.
May, 1853. Philadelphia. S8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository: Vol. XXIX. No. 4. April, 1853. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series. Vol. XV.
No. 45. May, 1853. New Haven. 8vo.—From Profs. Silli-
man and Dana, Editors.

Ueber das Katoptrische und Dioptrische Beleuchtungssystem fiir
Leuchtthiirme. Von Johann August Grunert, Prof: zu Greifs-
wald. Greifswald, 1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

On the probable number of the Native Indian Population of British
America. (From thesProceedings of the Canadian Institute). By
Capt. J. H. Lefroy, R. A. Toronto. 8Svo.—From the Author.

A Digest of the Acts of Assembly and of the Ordinances of the In-
habitants and Commissioners of the District of Spring Garden,
for the Government of that District. By Robert Betheil, Solicitor
of the Corporation. Philadelphia, 1852. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

The Astronomical Journal. Nos. 56, 57. April 19, 25, 1853. Cam-
bridge. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

The Medical Examiner and Record of Medical Science. New Series.
Vol. IX. No. 5. May, 1853. Philadelphia. 8Svo.—from Drs.
Smith and Biddle, Editors.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 125. May, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

On a New Apparatus for the determination of Carbonic Acid, and on
Kemp’s Thermostat. By Charles M. Wetherill, Ph. D. M.D.—
From the Author.

329

Miscellanea Erudite Antiquitatis: cura Jacobi Sponii, &c. &c. Lug-
duni, 1685. Folio.—From Prof. J. F. Frazer.

Antonii van Dale, Dissertationes [X. Antiquitatibus quin et Marmori-
bus, cum Romanis, tum potissimum Greecis illustrandis inservien-
tes. Amstelodami, 1702. 4to.—F rom the same.

Judge Kane announced the decease of the Hon. John Banis-
ter Gibson, late Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, a member of this
Society, who died on the 3d inst.

Mr. Edward Miller presented, for the Cabinet of the Soci-
ety, a specimen of silicate of zine, from the Saucon valley, in
Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. The bed of this ore is exten-
sively worked;—the product being sent to New York, for the
manufacture of zine paint.

A discussion ensued with regard to the deposits of this mi-
neral, in which Mr. Miiler, Prof. Frazer, Dr. Boyé and Mr.
Trego took part. Dr. Boyé remarked that he had found the
carbonate of zine also in the above mentioned locality, and
had ascertained it to be that mineral by chemical analysis.

Prof. Frazer, from the Committee on Dr. Kane’s Expedition
to the Arctic regions, reported that the services of a compe-
tent astronomical observer had been secured to accompany the
expedition;—and presented a list of names as subscribers to a
fund in aid of such services, amounting to $425, principally
contributed by members of the Society.

The following resolution was offered by Mr. Trego, which,
after being read and considered, was adopted:

Resolved, That the Curators be authorized to exchange with other
societies or individuals, such duplicate or supernumerary specimens
of coins, medals, minerals and other articles as they may deem un-
necessary to be retained in the Cabinet of the Society, for such other
specimens, of equal value, as they may consider desirable to be added
to the Society’s present collection ;—and that the Curators be in-
structed to make report to the Society of their proceedings from time
to time.

9
9
=)

Stated Meeting, May 20.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Dunexison, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Drs. B. A. Gould, jr. and J. B. Biddle, recently elected
members, were introduced and took their seats.

Letters were read :—

From Dr. J. G. Fliigel, dated Leipsic, March 31, 1853, ac-
knowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member
of this Society :—

From the Royal Society of London, dated Somerset House,
- Feb. 7, 1853, returning thanks for No. 47 of the Proceed-
ings; and—

From Dr. Edward Jarvis, anneuncing a donation of a col-
lection of pamphlets made by him to the Library of the So-
ciety.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the year 1852.
Parts 1 and 2: with a list of the Council and Fellows of the So-
ciety. London. 4to.— From the Society.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Vol. VI. Nos. 83 to
93. London. 8vo.—From the sume.

Mémoires de Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des
Beaux Arts de Belgique. Tome XXVI. Bruxelles, 1851. 4to.—
From the Belgian Academy of Sciences, &e.

Mémoires Couronnés et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers, publiés par
PAcadémie Royale des Sciences, &c. de Belgique. Tome XXIV.
1850-1. Bruxelles. 4to.—From the same.

Mémoires Couronnés :—Collection in 8vo. Tome V. Premicre Par-
tie. Bruxelles. Svo.—From the same.

Bulletins de l’Académie Royale des Sciences, &c. de Belgique : Tome
XVIII. 2éme Partie. Tome XIX. lére et 2éme Parties, 1852.
Bruxelles. 8vo.—From the same.

Annuaire de PAcadémie Royale des Sciences, &c. de Belgique, 1852.
XVIII. Année. Bruxelles. Svo.—From the same.

Jol

Annales de ?Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles: par A. Quetelet, Direc-
teur. Tome VIII. 2éme Partie. Tome IX. Bruxelles, 1852.
Ato.—Fromthe Observatory.

Annuaire de l’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles, par A. Quetelet,
Directeur, 1852, XIX. Année: 1853, XX. Année. Bruxelles.
12mo.—From the Author.

Observations des Phénoménes Périodiques: 1849, 1850, 1851. Brux-
elles. 4to.—From the same.

Sur les Tables de Mortalité et de Population. Par M. A. Quetelet,
President de la Commission Centrale de Statisque. Bruxelles.
4to.—From the same.

Recherches sur les Médianes: par M. Ernest Quetelet, Officier du
Génie, Ancien Eleve de |’Ecole Militaire. Bruxelles. 4to.—
From the Author.

Ricerche Fisico-Matematiche sulla Deviazione del Pendolo dalla sua
trajettoria: Memoria dell ’Abbate Francesco Zantedeschi, Profes-
sore di Fisica, &c. Padova,1852. 4to.—F rom the Author.

Rapport sur les Recherches Geologiques, executées par ordre du
Gouvernement pendant année 1852, dans la Néerlande. Har-
lem. 4to.—Donor unknown.

Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, in Worcester.
October, 23, 1852.. 8vo.—From the Society.

Battle of Lake Erie:—A Discourse delivered before the Rhode Island
Historical Society, on the evening of Monday, February 6, 1852.
By Usher Parsons. Providence. 8vo.—From the Society.

A Collection of Pamphlets, 54 in number, comprising Public Docu-
ments of the State of Massachusetts and of the City of Boston,
relative to Education, Charitable Institutions, Pauperism, Prisons,
Rail-roads, Banks, Insurance, and other statistical subjects.x—
From Dr. Edward Jarvis.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. V. No. 5. May, 1853.
New York and Philadelphia. S8vo.—From F. G. Skinner, Edi-
tor.

Access to an Open Polar Sea in connection with the Search after Sir
John Franklin and his companions: by E. K. Kane, M.D. Past As-
sistant Surgeon in the U. S. Navy. (Read before the American
Geographical and Statistical Society at its regular monthly meet-
ing, Dec. 14, 1852.) New York, 1852. 8vo.—F om the Au-
thor.

Doe

The minutes of the officers and council at their meeting on
the 13th inst. were read.

Judge Kane, on the part of Dr. E. K. Kane, communicated
the thanks of the latter for the aid extended to him by the So-
ciety, in relation to the expedition about to sail under his com-
mand to the Arctic regions. The preparations having been
nearly completed, the vessel will probably be at sea in the
course of the next ten days.

Stated Meeting, June 17.

Present, twelve members.
Dr. Dunexison, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Dr. Robert M. Bird, a recently elected member, was intro-
duced and took his seat.

Letters were read:—

From the Secretary of 1’Ecole des Mines, dated Paris, 4th
January, 1853, announcing the transmission of a donation for
the Society’s Library: and—

A circular letter, dated City Library. New Bedford, May
21, 1853, accompanying the first Annual Report of the Trus-
tees of said Library, and expressing a desire to correspond
with other literary and scientific institutions.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Memorie dell’ I. R. Instituto Lombardo di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti.
Vol. II]. Milano, 1852. 4to.—From the Royal Lombardy In-
stitute of Sciences, Letters and Arts.

Giornale dell’ I. R. Instituto Lombardo, &c. Tomo VI. VII. VIII.
Milano, 1846-1847. 8vo.—From the same.

Giornale dell’ I. R. Instituto Lombardo, &c. e Biblioteca Italiano.
Nuova Serie. Fascicoli .-—XVII]. Milano, 1847-1852. 4to.—
From the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XIII. No.
6. April 8, 1853. London. 8yvo.—from the Society.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 8. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Academy.
Celebration by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of the 170th
Anniversary of the Landing of William Peon:—Oration by Ro-
bert T. Conrad, Esq., and Proceedings at the Dinner. Nov. 8,

1852. Philadelphia. Svo.—From the Society.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History: March, April,
1853. Boston. Svo.—From the Society.

Descriptions of New Species of Achatinella, from the Sandwich
Islands. By Dr. W. Newcomb, of Honolulu, Cor. Memb. N. Y.
Lyc. Nat. Hist. May, 1853. 8vo.—From the N. Y. Lyceum
of Nat. Mistory.

The African Repository: Vol. XXIX. No. 5. May, 1853. Wash-
ington. §Svo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Annales des Mines: V. Série. Tome II. 5 livr. de 1852. Paris.
8vo.—From the Engineers of ? Ecole des Mines.

Journal of the Franklin Institute: 3d Series. Vol. XXV. No. 6.
June, 1852. Philadelphia. Svo.—From the Institute.

On the Electrotyping Operations of the United States Coast Survey.
By George Mathiot, Electrotypist. (Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts. Vol.
XV. 1853). New Haven. 8vo.—From the U. S. Coast Sur-
vey.

First Annual Report of the Trustees of the New Bedford City Libra-
try- New Bedford. 8vo.—From the Trustees.

Historia de Mejico, desde los primeros movimientos que prepararon
su independencia en el aiio de 1808, hasta la epoca presente.
Por Don Lucas Alaman. Parte Segunda. Tomo V. Mexico,
1852. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Slave Trade, domestic and foreign: Why it exists and how it
may be extinguished. By H. C. Carey. Philadelphia, 1853.
8vo.— From the Author.

Mathematics Simplified and made attractive; or the Laws of Motion
explained :— With a Port Folio of Diagrams. By Thomas Fisher.
Philadelphia, 1853.— From the Author.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 6. June, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Drs. Smith and Biddle, Editors.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. IX. No. 126. June, 1853.

Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.
Report of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in the City of Williamsburg,
Virginia, 1852-3. Richmond. 8vo.—From Dr. John M. Gali.
VOL. V.—2 Z

304

Report of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Institution for
the Deaf and Dumb, for 1852. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From
James J. Barclay, Esq.

Education: An Address delivered before the Linnean Association
of Pennsylvania College, Geitysburg, April 18, 1853. By A.
Webster, D.D., of Baltimore, Maryland. Gettysburg. Svo.—
From Prof. M. L. Stoever.

The Influence of the Bible on Literature: A Discourse delivered be-
fore the Bible Society of Pennsylvania College and Theological
Seminary, Gettysburg, April 17, 1858. By J. A. Seiss, A.M., of
Baltimore, Md. Gettysburg. 8vo.—From the same.

The Astronomical Journal: Vol. III. Nos. 58, 59. May 18, June 10,
1853. Cambridge. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

On motion of Mr. Trego, the City Library of New Bedford
was ordered to be placed on the list of correspondents of this
Society.

A list of the Special Committees of the Society which have
not yet made final reports was read over, and a number of said
committees were, on motion, discharged;—to sundry others
notice was directed to be given that reports from them are de-
sired by the Society.

Dr. Ruschenberger was appointed in place of Dr. W. E.
Horner, deceased, to prepare an obituary notice of the late Dr.

S. G. Morton.

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Vion! Ve JULY—DECEMBER, 1853. No. 50.

| Stated Meeting, July 15.
Present, nine members.
Jupge Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society: Vol. IX. Part 2. No.
34. May, 1853. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Address delivered at the Anniversary Meeting of the Geological So-
ciety of London, Feb. 18, 1853, by Wm. Hopkins, Esq., Presi-
dent of the Society. London. 8vo.—From the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XIII.
No. 7. May 13, 1853. London. 8vo.—From the Society.
Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory
at Hobarton, in Van Deimen Island. Printed by order of Her
Majesty’s Government, under the Superintendence of Col. Edward
Sabine, R.A. Vol. IfI., commencing with 1846. London, 1853.

4to.—From the British Government.

A Descriptive Catalogue of the London Traders, Tavern and Coffee-
House Tokens current in the XVII. Century, presented to the
Library of the Corporation of the city of London, by Henry B.
H. Beaufoy, F.R.S., &c. &c. By Jacob Henry Burn. London,
1853. 8vo.—From the Library Committee of the Corporation
of the city of London.

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge: Vol. V. Washington,
1853. 4to.— From the Smithsonian Institution.

Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. New Se-
ries. Vol. V. Part 1. Boston, 1853. 4to.—From the Acade-
MY. | - |

VOL. V.—3 A

336

Sixty-sixth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York:—transmitted to the Legislature, March 1,
1853. Albany. 8vo.—From the Regents.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXVI. No. 1.
July, 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository. Vol. XXIX. No. 6. June, 1853. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol.
XVI. No. 46. July, 1853. New Haven. 8vo.—From the
Editors.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. LI. New Se-
ries. July, 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Dr. Isaac Hays,
Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 127. July, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 7. July, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Drs. Smith and Biddle, Editors.
Remarks on a “ Reprint of the Original Letters from Washington to
Joseph Reed, during the American Revolution, referred to in the
Pamphlets of Lord Mahon and Mr. Sparks.” By Jared Sparks.

Boston, 1853. 8vo.—F rom the Author.

Examination of Fusel Oil from Indian Corn and Rye. By Charles
M. Wetherill, Ph. D. M. D. Philadelphia, 1853. Svo.—From
the Author.

Astronomical Journal. Vol. Il. No. 12. June 27, 1853. Cambridge.
4to.—From B. A. Gould, jr. Editor.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. Part 1. July, 1853.
New York. 8vo.—From the Editors.

Dr. Hays announced the decease of Dr. Nathaniel Chapman,
formerly President of this Society, who died in Philadelphia
on the first of the present month, aged 74:—

And, on motion, it was resolved, that Mr. Thomas Dunlap
be requested to prepare an obituary notice of Dr. Chapman.

Mr. Trego announced the death of Don Lucas Alaman, a
member of this Society, who died in the city of Mexico, June
2, 1853.

Sefior Alaman was Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Republic
of Mexico, and his death caused a great sensation and sorrow through
the capital as soon as it was announced. He had lost his conscious-

397

ness since the preceding night, and died in a state of insensibility.
His death is said to have been caused by the excessive labour which
he had imposed upon himself since he was appointed to office.

He was one of the most popular members of the cabinet, and was
universally esteemed for his noble private qualities, no less than for
his talent as a statesman. He was the leader of the conservative
party, who will feel his loss very heavily. He was known as a man
of strong mind, great instruction and erudition, sincerity and firm-
ness. He was a very religious man, and a strict observer of his
creed. He had long held a prominent political position in the coun-
try. All the papers are filled with obituary notices, of the most lau-
datory description.

The President ordered a letter to be written in his name, to the fa-
mily of the deceased, in which he sympathises with them for the loss
they have sustained in the death of a man of such abilities as a states-
man, such integrity and patriotism as a citizen, and gifted with such
noble qualities as justly commended universal respect.

Dr. Hays announced the decease of Dr. Charles Caldwell,
of Louisville, Kentucky, a member of this Society, who died
on the ninth of the present month, at the age of about 90
years.

Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Hays, it was resolved that
_ Mr. George Ord be requested to prepare an obituary notice of
Dr. Caldwell.

The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting, the balloting for candidates for membership.

All other business having been concluded, the ballot boxes
were opened, and the following named gentleman was declared
by the presiding officer to be duly elected a member of the
Society.

Dr. MarsHatzt Hatt, F.R.S. London and Edinburgh.

398

Stated Meeting, 4ugust 19.

Present, five members.
Dr. Dunewison, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated Mu-
nich, 6th Nov. 1852, announcing the transmission of a dona-
tion to the Society, and also acknowledging the receipt of No.
47 of the Proceedings:—

From the Hon. A. Dudley Mann, Acting Secretary of State,
dated Washington, July 29, 1853, announcing a donation of
49 volumes of Congressional Documents, from the Department
of State, for the Society’s library :—

From Mr. George Ord, dated July 17 and July 25, 1853,
declining, for reasons given, the preparation of obituary no-
tices of Dr. Charles Caldwell and Dr. Philip Tidyman: and—

From Mr. John Lenthall, dated Washington, August 4,
1853, in relation to an obituary notice of the late Samuel Hum-
phreys, which he was some time since requested to prepare for
the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. IV. Série. Tome V. Paris,
1852. 8vo.—From the Society.

Abhandlungen der Math. Phys. Classe der Kéniglich Bayerischen
Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band VI. Abth. 3. Munchen,
1852. 4to.—From the Academy.

Bulletin der Koénigl. Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1852. Nos.
1-24. Miinchen. 4to.—From the same.

Gelehrte Anzeigen: herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der Ko6nigl.
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. XXXIV. Band.
Miinchen. 4to.—F rom the same.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XIII.
No. 8. June 10, 1858. London. 8vo.—From the Society.
Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory in the

year 1851. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A. Radcliffe Observer.

309

Vol. XII. Oxford, 1853. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe Trus-
tees.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. No. XXII. July 1, 1853.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Catalogue of the Cabinet of Natural History of the State of New
York, and of the Historical and Antiquarian Collection annexed
thereto. Albany, 1853. 8vo.—From the Trustees of the Uni-
versity of the State of New York.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. May, 1853.
Boston. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. VI.
No. 1. May, 1853. New York. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia:
Vol. VI. No 9. Philadelphia. 8vo.—F rom the Academy.
Journal of the Franklin Institute: 3d Series. Vol. XXV. No. 2.

May, 18538. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The African Repository: Vol. XXIX. No. 7. July, 1853. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—F rom the American Colonization Society.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 8. Aug. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Drs. Smith & Biddle, Editors.
Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and

Russian America, intended to contain descriptions and figures of
all North American Birds not given by former American Au-
thors, and a general Synopsis of North American Ornithology.
No. 1. By John Cassin, Mem. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, of
the American Philosophical Society, @&c. &c. Philadelphia,

1853. 8vo.—From the Author.

A series of Pamphlets relating to the management of the Delaware
and Raritan Canal and Camden and Amboy Rail Road Compa-
nies. By a Citizen of Burlington. Philadelphia, 1848-1851.
8vo.— From H. C. Carey, Esq.

The proceedings of the late Director of the Mint in relation to the
official misconduct of Franklin Peale, Esq., Chief Coiner, and
other abuses in the Mint, reviewed by Prof. R. S. M‘Culloh, for-
merly the Melter and Refiner of the Mint. Princeton, N. J.
1853. 8vo.— From the Author.

The Astronomical Journal. Vol. III. No. 14. July 29, 1853. Cam-
bridge. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr., Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 128. August, 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

340

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 2. Aug. 1853.
New York. S8vo.— From the Editors.

Mr. Ord having declined the preparation of obituary notices
of Drs. Caldwell and Tidyman, deceased members of the So-
ciety,—it was resolved that Dr. Holbrook, of Charleston, S. C.
be requested to prepare a notice of Dr. Tidyman, and Dr. Ben-
jamin H. Coates one of Dr. Caldwell.

Dr. B. H. Coates announced the decease of Mr. John Price
Wetherill, a member of this Society, who died on the 24th of
July, 1853, aged 59:—and, on motion of Dr. Harris, Judge
Kane was requested to prepare a notice of the deceased mem-
ber.

The minutes of the Board of Officers and Council of the
Society, at their late meeting, were reported.

Stated Meeting, September 16.
Present, thirteen members.

Dr. Duneuison, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:——

From Dr. Franklin Bache, President of the Society, dated
St. Petersburg, July 24, 1853, in relation to the members of
this Society resident in Russia, and giving information of the
decease of several of them, of which no announcement had
been previously made to the Society: and—

From Ch. Fr. Gauss, dated Gottingen, 2d July, 1853, ac-
knowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a mem-
ber.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society. No. XXI. April 1, 1853.
London. 8vo.—From the Society.

The African Repository. Vol. XXIX. No. 8. August, 1853. Wash-
ington. Svo.—From the Am. Colonization Society.

O41

Journal of the Franklin Institute. ‘Third Series. Vol. XXVI. No. 3.
Sept. 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

Documents of the First Session of the 382d Congress, 43 vols.

Senate Documents of the First Session of the 31st Congress, Vols.
13022

Senate Documents, Special Session, 1851, Vols. 1, 3.

Owen’s Geological Survey of Wisconsin, lowa and Minnesota, with
Illustrations. 2 vols. 4to. Washington.—From the Department
of State.

Description of some Species of the extinct Genus Nesodon, with re- -
marks on the primary group (Toxodontia) of the Hoofed Quad-
rupeds, to which that Genus is referable. By Prof. Owen,
F.R.S., &c. (Phil. Trans. 1853). London. 4to.—From the
Author.

On the Periodic and Non-periodic Variations of the Temperature at
Toronto, in Canada, from 1841 to 1852 inclusive. By Col. Ed-
ward Sabine, of the Royal Artillery, Treas. & V. P. F.R.S.
(Phil. Trans. 1853). London. 4to.—From the Author.

On Periodical Laws in the larger Magnetic Disturbances. By Capt.
C. W. Younghusband, R. A. F.R.S. (Phil. Trans. 1853). Lon-
don. 4to.—From the Author.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 47.
Sept. 1853. New Haven. 8vo.—From the Editors:

A Collection of Tables useful in Surveying, Geodesy and Practical
Astronomy, including Elements for the Projection of Maps. Pre-
pared for the use of the Corps of Topographical Engineers, by
Capt. T. J. Lee, Top. Engr. U.S. A. Washington, 1853. 8vo.—
From Col. J. J. Abert.

Documentary History of the American Revolution, consisting of
Letters and Papers relating to the contest for liberty, chiefly in
South Carolina, in 1781 and 1783: from originals in the posses-
sion of the Editor, and from other sources. By R. W. Gibbes,
M.D. &c. &c. Columbia, S. C. 1853. S8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

Bibliography of American Natural History for the year 1851. By
Charles Girard, Mem. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Bost. Soc.
Nat. Hist. &c. &c. Washington, 1852. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 9. Sept. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editors.

342

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 129. Sept. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Astronomical Journal. Vol. III. No. 15. Sept. 3, 1853. Cam-
bridge, Mass. 4to.—F rom the Editor.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 3. Sept. 1853.
New York. 8vo.—From the Editors.

Dr. Boyé stated to the Society, that on his return voyage
from England, on the 2d of September, 1853, at 9 o’clock in
the evening, in latitude 46° 30’, and in the longitude of Cape
Race, Newfoundland, he saw an Aurora Borealis, whose point
of radiance was remarkably well defined, and surrounded with
light. The radiant point was in the southern hemisphere, at
least fifteen or twenty degrees below the zenith, and rather in
the magnetic meridian. There were three arches of light,—
one north-west, one east of north, and one much larger in the
south:—that in the north-west was undulating. The rays of
light did not proceed from a point, but from an oval space.
The appearance of the radiance recalled to the mind of Dr.
Boyé certain phenomena of crystallization.

Professor Frazer remarked that a somewhat peculiar auro-
ral phenomenon was seen on the same evening at Philadelphia.

Mr. Justice referred to the recent appearance of Klinkerfuss’
comet, and remarked that during his observations the tail ap-
peared of a pinkish hue; in connection with which he men-
tioned the suggestion of Mr. Trego, that the tail of the comet
might be the effect of the sun’s light passing through the head
of the comet and polarized in its passage.

Pending nominations for membership were read.

On motion of Prof. Frazer, a letter from I. Barnard Davis,
relative to the publication of a proposed work, entitled “ Cra-
nia Britannica,’ was laid on the table;—and a circular from
the publishers of the “ Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des
Sciences Morales et Politiques,’ was referred to the Commit-
tee on the Library, with power to take order on the subject.

343

Stated Meeting, October 7.
Present, thirteen members.
Dr. Franxuirn Bacue, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read: —

From the Zoological Society of London, dated Hanover
Square, August, 1853, returning thanks for Vol. X. Part 2, of
the Transactions of this Society, and for No. 48 of the Pro-
ceedings :—

From the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, dated
August 29, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of the Transac-
tions, Vol. X. Part 2:—

From the Natural History Society of Northumberland,
Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne, dated Newcastle, 25th
August, 1853, returning thanks for Vol. X. Part 2, of the
Transactions, and for the Proceedings of the year 1852:—

From Dr. G. B. Massone, General Secretary of the Medico-
Chirurgical and Natural Science Academy at Genoa, dated 5th
Sept. 1853, announcing an intended donation for the Library
of the Society: and—

From Dr. A. L. Crelle, dated Berlin, 2d Sept. 1853, ac-
knowledging the receipt of his certificate of membership in
this Society, and expressing regret that his absence from home
deprived him of the pleasure of seeing two of our members
from Philadelphia, who called at his house in Berlin during
the past summer.

The following donations were announced: —

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Annuaire de la Société Impériale des Antiquaires de France, 1853.
Paris. 8vo.—From the Society.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Vol. IX. Part 3. (No.
35). Aug. 1,1853. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Report of the Twenty-second Meeting of the British Association for
the Advancement of Science, held at Belfast in September, 1852.
London. 8vo.—From the Association.

Pennsylvania Archives: selected and arranged from original docu-

VOL. V.—3 B

344

ments in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, con-
formably to Acts of the General Assembly, Feb. 15, 1851, and
March 1, 1852. By Samuel Hazard. Commencing 1664. 5 vols.
Philadelphia. 8vo. (5 copies)—From the State of Pennsyl-
vania.

Directions for collecting, preserving and transporting Specimens of

Natural History ;—prepared for the use of the Smithsonian In-
stitution. Washington, 1852. 8vo.—From the Smithsonian In-
stitution.

Directions for Meteorological Observations, intended for the first class
of observers. Published by the Smithsonian Institution. 1852.
8vo.—From the same.

Portraits of North American Indians, with Sketches of Scenery, &c.
painted by J. M. Stanley; deposited with the Smithsonian Institu-
tion. Washington, 1852. 8vo.—F rom the same.

Report to the Smithsonian Institution on the History of the Discovery
of the planet Neptune. By Benjamin Apthorp Gould, jr. Wash-
ington, 1850. 8vo.—From the same.

Vocabulary of the Jargon or Trade Language of Oregon: Published
by the Smithsonian Institution. Washington, 1853. 8vo.—
From the same.

Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smith-
sonian Institution. Part 1. Serpents. By S. F. Baird and C. Gi-
rard. Washington, 1853. 8vo.—From the same.

A Collection of Meteorological Tables, with other Tables useful in
Practical Meteorology: Prepared by order of the Smithsonian
Institution, by Arnold Guyot. Washington, 1851. 8yvo.—From
the same.

Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Annual Reports of the Board of Regents of
the Smithsonian Institution, for the years 1849, 1850, 1851.
Washington. 8vo.—From the same.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 10. Philadelphia, 1853. 8vo.—From the Acade
my.

The African Repository. Vol. XXIX. No. 9. Sept. 1853. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the Am. Colonization Society.

Second Annual Report on the Geological Survey of the State of
Ohio. By W. W. Mather, Principal Geologist, and the several
Assistants. Columbus, 1838. 8vo.—From Dr. J. P. Kirtland.

Entomographie de la Russie, par G. Fischer de Waldheim. Tome

345

V. Lepidoptéres de Russie. 1. Nymphalides. Moscou, 1851.
4to.—From the Author.

The Comparative Anatomy and Psycology of the African Negro.
By Hermann Burmeister, Prof. Zool. in University of Halle.
Translated by Julius Friedlander, Dr. Phil. of Berlin, and Robert
Tomes, M.D. of New York. New York, 18538. 8vo.—From
J. L. Leconte, M.D.

Educational Documents of Connecticut, for 1853. Report of tbe Su-
perintendent of Common Schools.—Report of the Commissioner
of the School Fund.—Report of Trustees of State Normal
Schools.—Report of Trustees of State Reform School. Hart-
ford, 1853. 8vo.—From H. Barnard.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 10. Oct. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 4. Oct. 1853.
New York. 8vo.—From the Editors.

FOR THE CABINET.

Specimens of Marrow, from the Bones of the Mammoth found on the
shore of the river Lena, in eastern Siberia.—From Dr. Charles
Renard, Secretary of the Imperial Society of Naturalists, of
Moscow.

Mr. Trego announced the decease of the Hon. Mahlon
Dickerson, a member of this Society, at his residence in Mor-
ris county, N. J. on the 5th inst. in the 84th year of his age.

Pending nominations for membership were read.

Stated Meeting, October 21.
Present, twenty members.
Judge Kanr, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was read from the Royal Bavarian Academy of
Sciences, dated Munich, 14th March, 1853, announcing the
transmission of a donation for the library of the Society.

346,

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Bulletin der Konigl. Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften.
Nos. 25-29. Aug. 2 to Sept. 6, 1852. Miinchen. 4to.—From
the Academy.

Gelehrte Anzeigen, herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der Konigl.
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band XXXV. Miin-
chen. 4to._From the same.

Ueber den Chemismus der Vegetation:—Festrede zur Vorfeier des
Geburtstages Seiner Majestat Maximilian II. Konigs von Bayern;
gehalten in der offentlichen Sitzung der K6nigl. Bayerischen Aka-
demie der Wissenschaften, am 27 Nov. 1852, von Dr. A. Vogel,
jr- Universitaéts Professor, &c. Munich, 1852. 4to.—From the
same. .

Annalen der Kéniglichen Sternwarte bei Minchen: Von Dr. J. La-
mont, Conservator der Sternwarte. V. Band. Mit Astronomische
Kalender fiir 1853. Munchen, 1852. 8&vo.—F'rom the same.

Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the year 1851.—Part 1.
Arts and Manufactures.—Part 2. Agriculture. 2 vols. Wash-
ington. 8vo.—From the U. S. Patent Office.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXVI. No. 4.
Oct. 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—rom the Institute.

A Memoir of the Life and Labours of the Rev. Adoniram Judson,
D.D. By Francis Wayland, President of Brown University. 2
vols. Boston. Svo.—From the Author.

Voyages de la Commission Scientifique du Nord, en Scandinavie, en
Laponie, au Spitzberg et aux Ferée, pendant les années 1838,
1839 et 1840, sur la Corvette la Recherche. Publiés par ordre du
Roi, sous la direction de M. Paul Gaimard, President de la Com-
mission Scientifique du Nord.—Aurores Boreales ; par M.M. V.
Lottin, A. Bravais, C. B. Lilliehéok et P. A. Siljestrom.—With
a volume of Plates. Paris. 8vo.—From Prof. John F. Frazer.

Etudes sur les Glaciers: par L. Agassiz. With an Atlas of 32 plates.
Neuchatel, 1840. 8vo.—F rom the same.

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. LII. Oct.
1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Dr. Hays, Editor.

The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 130. Oct. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

Astronomical Journal. Vol. IIIf. No. 16. Oct 11, 1853. Cambridge.
4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr. Editor.

347

Prof. Frazer announced the death of M. Francis Arago,
which took place at Paris on the first of the present month, in
the 67th year of his age. Prof. F. gave a brief account of the
scientific labours of M. Arago, and referred to the loss sus-
tained by the death of one so distinguished for his eminent
services in promoting discoveries in physical science.

Mr. Trego announced the decease of Professor Simon
Greenleaf, a member of this Society.

Dr. J. L.. Leconte presented, for publication in the Society’s
Transactions, a paper entitled “ Revision of the Hlateride of
the United States;’,—which was referred to a committee, con-
sisting of Prof. Haldeman, Mr. Trego and Dr. Bridges.

The Society next proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting—the election of members.

All cther business having been concluded, the ballot boxes
were opened by the presiding officer, and the following named
gentlemen were declared to be elected members of the Soci-
ety :—

Dr. ALEXANDER FiscHer von WALDHEIM, of Moscow.
Dr. Basite Saxuarorr, of St. Petersburg.

Dr. Peter SrreLKowsky, of St. Petersburg.

Dr. Cuartes Dworsak, of St. Petersburg.

Frep. Geo. WittL1aM DE Srrouve, of St. Petersburg.
Cuartes D. Arrwepson, of Stockholm.

Stated Meeting, November 4.
Present, fifteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Imperial Society of Naturalists. of Moscow, dated
30th Sept. 1852:—from the Secretary of l’Ecole des Mines,
dated Paris, 9th June, 1853:—from the Society of Antiquaries,
dated Somerset House, London, 25th July, 1853,—severally
announcing the transmission of donations for the Library of
the Society :—

348

From Dr. Krauss, Professor in the Cabinet of Natural His-
tory at Stuttgardt, dated 10th May, 1853, accompanying a’
copy of his work, ‘“ Das Thierreich in Bildern,’”’ presented
by him to the Society; and also a letter from Dr. J. G. Fliigel,
of Leipsic, in relation thereto: —

- From the Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen, dated 7th
July, 1853, returning thanks for the Proceedings of this So-
ciety, No. 47:—

From the Secretary of |’ Académie des Sciences, dated Paris,
22d Sept. 1853, acknowledging the receipt of the Society’s
Transactions, Vol. X. Part 2:—

From the New Jersey Historital Society, dated Nov. 1,
1853,—and from the Connecticut Historical Society, dated
Hartford, Nov. 1, 1853, returning acknowledgments for No.
49 of the Proceedings: and—

From Thomas L. Patterson, dated Cumberland, Md. Nov.
1, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election
as a member of the Society.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Abhandlungen der KGniglichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu
Gottingen. V. Band. Von dén Jahren 1851, 1852. Gdttingen.
Ato.—From the Royal Society of Sciences at Gottingen.

Nachrichten von der Georg-Augusts Universitat und der Kénigl. Ge-
sellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Gottingen. Vom Jahre 1852.
Nos. 1-14. Géttingen. 8vo.—From the same.

Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. Année
1852. No. 2. Moscow. 8vo.—From the Society.

Annales des Mines. V. Série. ‘Tome II. 6 livraison de 1852.—Tome
III. 1 livraison de 1853.—Table des Maticres de la [V. Série
décennale, 1842-1851. Paris. 8vo.—From the Engineers of
UV Ecole des Mines.

Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XXI. Part 2.
1853. 4to.—and

Proceedings of the same. Nos. 48-51. List of Officers and Fel-
lows. 1852. 8vo.—From the Society.

Archeologia: or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity, publish-_
ed by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vol. XXXV. Lon-
don, 1853. 4to.—From the Society of Antiquaries.

349

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vol. II. Nos.
33-36. With a List of the Officers and Members, April 23, 1853.
London. 8vo.—From the same.

Catalogue of Roman Coins, collected by the late Rev. Thomas Ker-
rich, M.A. F.S.A. &c. and presented by his son, Rev. Richard
Edward Kerrich, M.A. F.S.A. to the Society of Antiquaries of
London. London, 1852. 8vo.—From the same.

Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Vol. XV. Part 1. London, 1853, 8vo.—From the Society.
Address at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Geographical So-
ciety, 23d May, 1853. By Sir R. I. Murchison, M.A. F.R.S.

&c. &e. President. London. 8vo.—From the Society.

Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the year 1850. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A. Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. XI. Oxford, 1852. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe
Trustees.

Catalogue of Stars near the Ecliptic, observed at Markree, during the
years 1851, 1852, and whose places are supposed to be hitherto
unpublished. Vol. II. Containing 15,298 stars. Dublin, 1853.
8vo.—Donor unknown.

Twentieth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Socie-
ty, 1852. Faimouth. 8vo.—From the Society.

The African Repository. Vol. XXIX. No. 10. October, 1853.
Washington. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Prontuario di vocaboli attenenti a parecehie Arti, ad alcuni Mestieri,
a cose domestiche, e altre di uso comune; per saggio di un Vo-
cabolario Metodico della lingua Italiana: di Giacinto Carena, Pro-
fessore di Filosofia, &c. &c. Parte Prima; Vocabolario Domes-
tivo. Parte Seconda; Vocabolario Metodico d’Arti e’Mestieri. 2
vols. 8vo. ‘Torino, 1851, 1853.—From the Author.

Atti del Secondo Congresso Generale della Medica Associazione degli
Stati Sardi, convocato in Genova 111 Ottobre, 1852. Torino,
1852. 8vo.—From Dr. G. B. Massone, Secretary.

Das Thierreich in Bildern, nach seinen Familien und Gattungen dar-
gestellt, von Profr. Dr. Ferdinand Krausz, Conservator am K6-
nigl. Naturalien Kabinet in Stuttgardt. Tafeln 1-50. Textbogen
1-26. 1848-1850. Stuttgardt and Eslingen. 4to.—From the
Author.

Katalog des Miintzkabinetes der Stadtbibliothek zu Leipzig, enthal-
tend eine ansehnliche und werthvolle Sammlungen von Mintzen
und Medaillen alterer und neuerer zeit, welche am 15 August,

350

1853, und folgende Tage, in Leipzig 6ffentlich verkauft werden.
Leipsic, 1853. 8vo.—From Dr. J. G. Flugel.

Report of Israel D. Andrews, Consul of the United States for Canada
and New Brunswick, to the Secretary of the Treasury, on the
Trade and Commerce of the British North American Colonies,
and upon the T'rade of the Great Lakes and Rivers; also No-
tices of the Internal Improvements in each State,—of the Gulf of
Mexico and Straits of Florida,—and a Paper on the Cotton Crop
of the United States. With a volume of Maps. Washington,
1853. 8vo.—From the Author.

Correspondence on the proposed Tripartite Convention relative to
Cuba. Boston, 1853. 8vo.—F rom the Hon. Edward Everett.

Sur le Gisement et sur Exploitation de Or en Australie. Par M.
Delesse, Ingénieur des Mines. (Annales des Mines, Tome III.
1853). Paris. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Astronomical Journal. Vol. II]. No. 17. Nov. 1, 1853. Cam-
bridge. 4to.—From the Editor, Dr. B. A. Gould, jr.

The Committee to which, at the last meeting, was referred
Dr. Leconte’s paper on the Elateride of the United States,
reported in favour of its publication in the Transactions of the
Society,—which was ordered accordingly.

A list of the members appointed to prepare obituary notices
of deceased members of the Society, who have not yet com-
plied with the object of their appointment, was read.

Judge Kane was, on motion, excused from the duty of pre-
paring a notice of the late Chancellor Kent.

After considerable discussion with regard to the question
whether the persons appointed to prepare obituary notices of
deceased members of the Society should be properly consi-
dered as committees subject to Art. 9, Chap. XI. of the Laws
of the Society ; it was moved by Prof. Tucker, that members
appointed to prepare obituary notices are not considered as
committees: — Which motion was agreed to.

A letter was read from Prof. Alexander, of Baltimore, in
relation to the preservation of documents and other articles
deposited in the corner-stones of buildings.

Prof. A. says that the destruction of articles deposited in corner-
stones is very common;—much more common, so far as his know-

351

ledge of them extends, than their preservation. He recommends that
all smaller articles should be enclosed in tubes of glass, with the ends
afterwards melted down so as to become hermetically sealed. For
larger articles, such as tubes to be sealed would not receive, he has
used glass-stoppered bottles, well ground; but avoiding all hot appli-
cations, which tend to produce the very result that Dr. Boyé has no-
ticed, namely, a slight extravasation or lifting out of the stopper.
After the stopper had been firmly ground in, he applied in the valley
between it and the neck of the bottle, a little cold tallow. For still
larger articles, books, &c. he has used copper boxes, the edges of
which, after enclosing the articles, were hard-soldered down.

Judge Kane communicated to the Society the reception of
intelligence that the American Arctic Exploring Expedition,
under the command of his son, Dr. Kane, had safely arrived
at Upernavik, and that they were preparing to prosecute their
explorations to the northward.

The Judge referred to information lately received by Capt.
Belcher, of the British service, relative to the result of his
explorations in the Arctic regions, showing the discovery of
an open sea connected by two straits with Baffin’s bay, which,
in favourable seasons, may be navigable and afford access from
that bay to the Polynya or open sea; but which, except under
favourable circumstances, will probably be seldom available to
navigators.

Judge Kane narrated some of the operations and adventures
of the party under Commodore Belcher, as illustrative of the
difficulties and perils to be encountered in the prosecution
of Arctic discoveries. He referred to the lamented death of
Lieut. Bellot, who fell a victim to his spirit of daring enter-
prise, having perished in the hazardous attempt to pass over a
broad field of ice, from which he was supposed to have fallen
into a narrow slip of open water.

Mr. Trego, as Reporter, laid upon the table No. 49 of the
Proceedings of the Society, recently published.

VOL. V.—-3 ¢

302

Stated Meeting, November 18.
Present, ten members.
JupGe Kane, Vice-President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Etat Major of the Corps of Mining Engineers of
Russia, dated St. Petersburg, May, 1853; from the Royal
Saxon Society of Sciences, dated Leipsic, 23d May, 1853;
from the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated Mu-
nich, 4th June, 1853; from the Imperial Academy of Sciences
at Vienna, dated 29th June and 24th August, 1853; and from
the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, dated Berlin, 15th
Sept. 1853,—respectively accompanying donations for the
Library :—

From W. Haidinger, dated Vienna, 11th June, 1853, in re-
lation to a future correspondence of the Imperial Geological
Institute of Austria with this Society; and from the same, on
behalf of the Direction of the Imperial Geological Institute, -
dated Vienna, 21st August, 1853, accompanying a donation
for the Library of the Society :—

From the Royal Academy of Sciences at Berlin, dated 15th
August, 1853, returning thanks for Vol. X. Part 2, of the So-
ciety’s Transactions:—

From the Royal Danish Society of Sciences, dated Copen-
hagen, 7th July, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 43
to 47 of the Proceedings: and—

From the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, dated Phila-
delphia, Nov. 15, 1853, and from the Trustees of the State
Library of New York, dated Albany, Nov. 4, 1853, commu-
nicating their thanks for No. 49 of the Proceedings.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Naturwissenschaftliche Abhandlungen; gesammelt und durch sub-
scription herausgegeben von Wilhelm Haidinger. Band I. II. UI.
IV. Wien, 1847-1851. 4to.—From the Imperial Geological
Institute, Vienna, per W. Haidinger.

353

Berichte iiber die Mittheilungen von Freunden der Naturwissenschaf-
ten in Wien; gesammelt und herausgegeben von W. Haidinger.
Band [.-VII. 1846-1851. Wien. 8vo.—From the same.

Abhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Kéniglichen Geologischen Reichanstalt.
Band I. Wien. 1852. 4to.—F rom the same.

Jahrbuch der K. K. Geologischen Reichanstalt. I. Jahrgang, 1850.—
II. 1851.—II]. 1852.—IV. 1858. No.1. Wien. 8vo.—From
the same.

Abhandlungen der Mathematisch-Physischen Classe der Kéniglich
Sachsischen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften. Band I. Leipzig,
1852. 4to.—From the Royal Saxon Society of Sciences, Leip-
sic.

Berichte tiber die Verhandlungen der Kénigl. Sachsischen Gesell-
schaft der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig. Math. Phys. Classe, 1849,
1850, 1851, 1852 and 1853, No. 1. Leipzig. 8vo.—From
the same.

Ueber Musikalische Tonbestimmung und Temperatur: von M. W.
Drobisch.

Beitrage zur Kentniss der Gefasskryptegamen: von W. Hofmeister.

Entwickelung des Products einer Potenz des Radius Vectors mit
dem Sinus oder Co-sinus eines vielfachen der wahren Anomalie
in Reihen &c. von P. A. Hanson. (Abhandl. der K. Sachs.
Gesell. der Wissen. [V.)—F rom the same.

Annales de l’Observatoire Physique Central de Russie: Publi¢es par
ordre de Sa Majesté ’Empereur Nicolas I. sous les auspices de
S. Exc. M. de Brock, Secretaire d’Etat, &c. Par A. T. Kupffer,
Directeur de [Observatoire Physique Central. Année 1850,
Nos. 1, 2.—Compte Rendu Annuel du Directeur de l’Observa-
toire Physique Central pour Année 1852. St. Petersbourg.
Ato.—From the Administration of Mines, of Russia.

Abhandlungen der Math. Phys. Classe der Kénigl. Bayerischen
Akademie der Wissenschaften. Band VII. Abth. 1. Miinchen,
1853. 4to.—From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences.

Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Wien :—Phil. Hist. Classe. Band IX. 4 Heft, 1852 :—Math. Nat.
Classe, Band X. 4 und 5 Heft, Apr. May, 1853. Wien. 8vo.—
From the Imperial Academy of Sciences, Vienna.

Abhandlungen der Kénigl. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin,
aus dem Jahre, 1852. Berlin. 4to.—From the Royal Acade-
my of Sciences, Berlin.

Monatsbericht der Kénigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu

Jo4

Berlin. Nov. Dec. 1852. Jan. July, 1853. Berlin. Svo.—
From the same.

Oversigt over det Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Forhandlin-
ger og dets Medlemmers Arbeider i Aaret, 1852. Kiobenhavn.
8vo.—From the Royal Danish Society of Sciences.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. VII. No. 1,
1853. Newark. 8vo.—F rom the Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. XXVI. No. 5.
Nov. 1853. Philadelphia. 8vo.—F rom the Institute.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. 2d Series. Vol. XVI.
No. 48. Nov. 1853. New Haven. 8vo.—From Professors
Silliman & Dana, Editors.

A Reply to the Strictures of Lord Mahon and others, on the mode
of editing the Writings of Washington. By Jared Sparks,
1852.—Letter to Lord Mahon, being an Answer to his Letter
addressed to the Editor of Washington’s Writings. By Jared
Sparks, 1852.—Remarks on a “ Reprint of the Original Letters
from Washington to Joseph Read during the American Revolu-
tion, referred to in the Pamphlets of Lord Mahon and Mr.
Sparks.” By Jared Sparks, 1853. Boston. Svo.—From the
Author.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 11. Nov. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Drs. Smith & Biddle, Editors.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 121. Nov. 1853.

Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 5. Nov. 18538.

New York. 8vo.—from the Editors.

On motion of Mr. Trego, the Royal Saxon Society of Sci-
ences of Leipsic, and the Imperial Geological Institute at
Vienna, were directed to be placed on the list of corre-
spondents of this Society, and to receive the Transactions.

Mr. Justice laid before the Society a magnified crystalotype
image of the moon, by John A. Whipple, of Boston.

This crystalotype is much larger than the one formerly exhibited
to the Society ; that being only 5 inches, whilst this is 84 inches in
diameter. The first attempt of Mr. Whipple to produce a daguerreo-
type of the moon was made with a reflecting telescope of 5 feet focus
and 7 inch mirror; but the image produced was only five-eighths of

355

an inch in size, and not satisfactory, as there was no clock-work to
regulate the motion of the telescope. The present picture is magni-
fied from a daguerreotype of three inches, taken through the object-
glass of the large Cambridge Refractor, by displacing the eye-piece
and placing the plate in the focus of the object-glass.

In consequence of the clock-movement of the telescope, not ex-
actly coinciding with the motion of the earth, there is an indistinct-
ness of the lines, which, through the telescope, would be perfectly
sharp. ‘This indistinctness, though slight, Mr. Whipple hopes to re-
medy by an adjustment applied to the clock-motion, invented by
Professor Bond, which will enable him, he supposes, to produce as
perfect a daguerreotype, of ten or more inches in diameter, as he now
has of three inches. From such a plate a crystalotype may be mag-
nified to four feet in diameter.

The enlarged picture, now before the Society, exhibits the radia-
tions extending through Mare Serenitatis very beautifully, whilst those
issuing from around Tycho are also very distinct. In the picture
formerly exhibited these were but faintly delineated.

The proceedings of the Board of Officers and Council of the
Society, at their late meeting, were read.

A proposed amendment to the Laws of the Society, recom-
mended by the Officers and Council,—to wit: Add to Chapter
VII. of the Laws, as Article 7, the following: “ The ex-Pre-
sidents of the Society shall be members of the Board of Offi-
cers and Council:’?—which was read and laid over for consi-
deration at next meeting.

The Treasurer read the following letter, addressed to him
by the President of the Society:

_ November 18, 1853.

Dear Sir,—I send you, enclosed, a check for five hundred dollars,
which I beg you to present, in my name, to the Society, as a contri-
bution towards the expense of preparing and printing a correct cata-
logue of the library, and of enlarging the accommodations for the

books.
Very respectfully and truly yours,

FRANKLIN BACHE.
To Cnartes B. Treeo, Esq
Treas. Am. Phil. Society.

356

Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Elwyn, it was

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to
its President, for his very generous donation towards a better
arrangement and accommodation of the Library.

Stated Meeting, December 2.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Dunextson, Vice-President, in the Chair.

A letter was read from the Secretary of Ecole des Mines,
dated Paris, 13th July, 1853, accompanying a donation to the
Society.

The following donations were announced:—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
year 1852. Vol. 143. Parts 1, 2. London. 4to.—From the
Society.

Astronomical and Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made
at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in the year 1851, under
the direction of George Biddell Airy, Esq. M.A. Astronomer
Royal. London, 1853. 4to.—From the same.

Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory
at Toronto in Canada. Printed by order of her Majesty’s Go-
vernment, under the superintendence of Col. Edward Sabine, of
the Royal Artillery. Vol. Il. 1848, 1844, 1845: with Abstracts
of the Observations to 1848, and, in some cases, to 1852, inclu-
sive. London, 1853. 4to.—Fvrom the British Government.

Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XXI. Parts 1 and
2, London, 1852. 4to.—From the Society.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, containing Pa-
pers and Abstracts of Papers, and Reports of Proceedings of the
Society, from Noy. 1851, to June, 1852. Vol. XII. London.
8vo.—From the same.

On the Impregnation of the Ovum in the Amphibia. (Second Series
revised). And on the Direct Agency of the Spermatozoon. By
George Newport, F.R.S. F.L.S. &c. (Phil. Trans. Lond. 1853).
4to.— From the Author.

357

Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, showing
the progress of that work during the year ending Noy. 1851.
With a volume of Maps. Washington. 8vo.—From Prof. A.
D. Bache, Supt. U. S. Coast Survey.

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. VI. No. 11. Sept. Oct. 1853. Philadelphia. 8yo.—From
the Academy.

Annales des Mines. V. Série. Tome III. 2 livraison de 1853. Paris.
8vo.—From the Engineers of ’ Ecole des Mines.

Judge Kane referred to a former communication made by him in
relation to the progress of discovery in the Arctic regions,—and ex-
hibited a map of that portion of the globe, on which he traced the
courses of various expeditions sent thither for exploration. He showed
the track of the American expedition under Lieut. Dehaven, to which
Dr. Kane was attached,—and noticed the indications observed by
them, at several points, of the party under Sir John Franklin having
been there. He adverted to the discovery of “ Grinnell land,” by
the American expedition, on which they noticed a mountain, esti-
mated at a height of 1500 feet. Eight months after this, a party of
British explorers claimed to have discovered the same land, which
they named Albert land. He noticed a recent attempt to deprive the
American party of the credit of this discovery, by alleging a prior
discovery, in an official communication to the British Government,
which he showed to be a misconception ;—proving, from the account
of Captain Belcher’s recent explorations, that the discovery is incon-
testably due to the American expedition. The Judge adduced argu-
ments in favour of the existence of an open polar sea, and showed
the probability of Sir John Franklin’s party having passed into that
sea, whatever may have been their subsequent fate. He referred to
the probable course of operations of the American party now in
those regions, since they were heard from at Upernavik.

Mr. Lea said that when recently in England he had conversed
with the Rev. Dr. Scoresby, and other gentlemen well acquainted
with the progress of Arctic exploration, and is led to doubt the
existence of an open polar sea. Dr. Scoresby, he says, is of the
opinion that future explorations must be made by land, if pushed be-
yond the limits of present knowledge. Mr. Lea mentioned several
circumstances which led him to suppose that an eternal barrier of ice
surrounds the north pole, and referred to the currents in those seas,
as mentioned by navigators.

358

Dr. Franklin Bache, the President, gave notice that at the
next meeting he should deliver an address on the affairs of the
Society.

Mr. Lea read an extract of a letter from Dr. R. W. Gibbes,
of Columbia, S. C. in relation to an original letter from Tho-
mas Penn to Sir William Johnston, dated February 18, 1768,
which letter was presented to the Society.

The Treasurer presented his Annual Report, which was
read and referred to the Committee of Finance.

The Committee of Publication presented their Annual Re-
port, which was read.

The Society proceeded to vote upon the proposed amend-
ment to its Laws, read at last meeting, to wit: Add to Chap.
VII. of the Laws, as Article 7, the following: “ The ex-Pre-
sidents of the Society shall be members of the Board of Offi- .
cers and Council:’’ which was adopted by a vote of more than
three-fourths of the qualified members present.

Stated Meeting, December 16.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, President, in the Chair.

Letters were read:—

From the Horticultural Society, London, dated Regent
street, 18th October, 1853; from the Linnean Society, dated
Soho square, London, Nov. 8, 1853; from the Society of An-
tiquaries, dated Somerset House, London, 18th Nov. 1853;
from the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, 19th Nov.
1853,—severally acknowledging the receipt of the Transac-
tions of this Society, Vol. X. Part 2, and of No. 48 of the
Proceedings: —

From the Corporation of Harvard College, dated Cambridge,
Noy. 2, 1853, acknowledging the receipt of No. 49 of the
Proceedings:—

From his Excellency John F. Crampton, her Britannic Ma-
jesty’s Minister at Washington, dated December 14, 1853, an-
nouncing a donation, on the part of the British Government,
for the Library of the Society: and—

209

From the Hon. John K. Kane, accompanying a donation
from his son Dr. E. K. Kane, of his Narrative of the Grinnell
Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin.

The following donations were announced :—

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Verhandelingen van het Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en
Wetenschappen. Deel XXIII. Batavia, 1850. 4to.—From the
Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences, Java.

The African Repository. Vol. XXIX. No. 11. Nov. 1853. Wash-
ington. S8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.

Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. XXVI. No. 6.
Dec. 1858. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From the Institute.

The U.S. Grinnell Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin: A
Personal Narrative. By Elisha Kent Kane, M.D. U. 8S. N. New
York, 1853. S8vo.—F rom the Author.

Letters on International Copyright. By H. C. Carey. Philadelphia,
18538. 8vo.—From the Author.

The Astronomical Journal. Vol. II]. No. 18. Dec. 8, 1853. Cam-
bridge. 4to.—From Dr. B. A. Gould, jr. Editor.

The Medical Examiner. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 12. Dec. 1853.
Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Drs. Smith & Biddle, Editors.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. XI. No. 132. Dec. 1853.

Philadelphia. 8vo.—From Blanchard & Lea.

The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. Vol. VI. No. 6. Dec. 1853.

New York. 8vo.—From the Editors.

The Committee of Finance reported that they had examined
the accounts of the Treasurer, and found them correct. The
following Appropriations, recommended by the Committee for
the current fiscal year, were ordered to be made:

For Publications, including Proceedings, $400

For Journals, - - - - 50
For Hall, - = : - 50
For Binding, - . ~ - 50
For General Account, - - - 1100

A discourse was then delivered by Dr. Franklin Bache, the
President, on the affairs of the Society.
VOL. V.—3 D

360

The discourse commenced with remarks upon the importance of
association in promoting the progress of literary and scientific know-
ledge. In monarchical countries, the spirit of scientific association
is sustained by the patronage of government, and frequently by pe-
cuniary aid. In our country this spirit is left to its own resources,
generally without any extrinsic support. This condition of things,
and the comparative youth of our country, may be assigned as reasons
why we have not rivalled European States in the higher and more
abstruse branches of science; but have given to our labours rather a
practical and useful tendency, as shown by our progress in agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts.

The President then proceeded to show that scientific associations,
especially in free States, should be organized on liberal principles,
and that the requiring of too high a grade of attainment in candi-
dates for membership, and rules or usages too exclusive, tend to de-
feat the main objects of association, the increase and diffusion of
knowledge. He alluded to the early condition of this Society, and to
the advantages which might result from an increased number of
members, diffused more generally throughout the various States of the
Union.

The proceedings of the Society, and the operations of its laws, for
the last half century, were next reviewed, and some suggestions made
in reference to the mode of electing members. This was followed
by a recapitulation of the obituary notices of deceased inembers,
directed to be prepared, and of those actually prepared and read to
the Society,—with suggestions concerning the printing of the latter.

He recommended the adoption of measures for securing increased
space and better arrangement of the library and cabinet of the So-
ciety, and suggested an alteration of the Hall for that purpose.

The Magellanic premium, which the Society has the power of
awarding for useful discoveries and inventions, was next adverted to,
and a wish expressed that an additional publicity should be given to
the conditions of these premiums.

The continuation of the binding in volumes of the records and
documents belonging to the Society, was urged by the President, who
closed his discourse by dwelling at some length on its financial affairs.

END OF VOL. V.

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INDEX TO VOL.Y:

Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada., fossils de-
posited with, 110, 111.

Agassiz, Prof. correspondence with
Mr. Lea, 218.

Alexander, J. H., philological paper,
240: preservation of articles in cor-
ner stones, 350.

Alexander, S., on eclipse of the sun, 31.

Alkaline sulphates, decomposition of,
274.

Apparatus belonging to Society, 230.

Arctic Expeditions, 159, 224, 266, 298,
321, 329, 332, 351, 357.

Asphaltum at Hillsborough, 241; new
variety of, 279.

Astor Library, 291.

Astronomical Journal, 103, 107, 109.

Aurora Borealis, 249, 342.

Award of Arbitrators between Society
and W. D. Lewis, 39.

Bache, A. D., tides in Gulf of Mexico,
235.

Bache, Franklin, Discourse as Presi-
dent, 359.

Barometer, fluctuations of, 176.

Bettelheim, Dr., meteorological obser-
vations, 240, 249.

Boardman, H. A., rock crystal, 305.

Boye, Dr., tea artificially coloured, 36;
iron pyrites and nickel, 230; salt-
radical theory, 275; fossil infusoria,
275; articles in corner stones, 323,
325; aurora borealis, 342.

Browne, P. A., trichometer, 72; fine
Saxony wools, 247, 250, 259, 264.

Cabinet, exchange of specimens in,
829.

Caloric engine, 305.

Carabide, classification of, 321.

Coins exhibited, 195, 198; coins and
medals to be arranged, 230; Parish
collection of, 247, 264, 310, 313.

Comet, Klinkerfuss’, 342.

Committees, standing, appointed, 5,
66, 122, 180, 243, 308.

— of finance, report, 9, 42, 48,119,
178, 224, 235, 264, 269, 300.
359.

—— of publication, 46, 118, 171, 233,
254, 306, 358.

Committees, special,—
—— on communication of Lieut. Gil-
liss, 3.
—— on paper by Dr. C. M. Wetherill,
30, 35.
—— to confer with Am. Acad. Arts
and Sciences, 37, 39.
on U. S. Coast Survey, 50, 54,
69.
—— on portrait of Dr. Chapman, 66.
—— on communication from Dr. Jahn,
69, 72. k
——on communication from Acad.
Arts and Sciences, 81, 84.
—— on longitude of Washington Ob-
servatory, by Lieut. Gilliss, 84,
87.

on Observatory of Alabama, by
L. C. Garland, 108.

—— on W. Kahler’s paper, on motion

of planets, 108, 106.
— on Franklin manuscript papers,
110, 112.

—— on Prof. Loomis’ paper, on Lon-
gitude of Hudson Observatory,
142, 144, 182.

on M. F. Longstreth’s paper, on
tabular longitudes of moon, 176,
179.

on Dr. Leidy’s paper, on genus
Gregarina, of Dufour, 176, 179.

—— on Dr. Leidy’s paper, on Nema-
toidea imperfecta, 180, 182.

on Dr. Bettelheim’s meteorologi-
cal observations, 240, 247.

on philological paper, by Prof.
J. H. Alexander, 240, 249.

362

—— on communication from Lieut.
Maury, 247.

on specimens of fine Saxony
wools, 250, 257.

— on Mr. Lea’s paper, on unionide,
&e., 2538, 254.
—on Mr. Lea’s paper,

footmarks, 261, 264.

— on laws of society, 265, 306.

— on Dr. Leidy’s paper, on extinct
American lion, 267, 269.

—— on Dr. Leidy’s paper, on.extinct
dicotyline, 269, 272.

——on Dr. Wetherill’s paper, on mi-
nerals from Reading, &c., 278,
284.

—— on Mr. Tilghman’s paper, on de-
composition of alkaline sul-
phates, 274, 279.-

——on Dr. Wetherill’s paper, on a
new variety of asphalt, 279,
282.

—— on Dr. Kane’s Arctic expedition,
299, 305.

—— on improvements in library, 306.

—— on Dr. Leconte’s paper, on clas-
sification of carabidee, 321, 323.

—— on Dr. Leconte’s paper, revision
of elateride of U.S., 347, 350.

Corner-stones, preservation of articles
in, 3238, 325, 350.

Cresson J. C., telescopic gasholder,
164; temperature of congelation,
168; fluctuations of barometer, 176.

Crystalotype of moon, 312, 354.

on fossil

Daguerreotypes of moon, 208, 312,
354,

Darlington, W., memorials of Bartram
and Marshall, 79.

Denudation of the Pacific, 120.

Diamonds from Brazil, 33—Georgia,
106.

Disc of silver, ancient Roman, 125.

Discourse to Society, by President
Bache, 359.

Donations for cabinet, 164, 167, 233,
269, 825, 345.

for library, passim.

Du Bois, W. E., gold from California,
177; coins, 198; gold from Austra-
lia, 313.

Elateride of U. S., 347.

Election of officers, 1, 49, 119, 175,
236, 301.

Electric current and velocity of light,
135.

Emerson, Dr., proportions of sexes, 20.

Felis atrox, 261.
Fitz, object glass, 87.

INDEX.

Flax, prepared, 195.

Fossil infusoria, 275.

Fraley, F., progress of Smithsonian
building, 137.

Franklin manuscripts, 110, 112; pa-
pers from, 134; metal enclosed in,
1438, 147.

Frazer, Prof., diamonds from Georgia,
106; transmission of sound, 118;
aurora borealis, 249; death of M.
Arago, 347.

Galvanic apparatus, 269.

Garland, L. C., observatory of Alaba-
ma, 103.

Gilliss, Lieut., longitude of Washing-
ton observatory, 84.

Gilpin, T., influence of moon upon
weather, 117.

Gold,—in Maryland, 84; probable ef-
fects of increase, 148; in Indiana,
150; large mass, 177; in Pennsyl-
vania, 274; from Australia, 318;
on Delaware, 313.

Greene, G. W,, correspondence of Gen.
Greene, 25, 72.

Haldeman, Prof., additions to paper
on longicornia, 3; apparent projec-
tion of star during occultation,
16.

Hays, Dr., galvanic apparatus, 269.

Henry, Prof., radiation of heat, 108.

Historical Soc. Penn. may copy por-
traits, 193, 258.

Ice-drift of Baffin’s bay, 284.

Ideas, communication of by electrici-
ty, 233.

“Thdian walk” of 1737, 126.

Justice, Mr., exhibits spy-glass, ‘41;
oxidation of object-glass, 69, 108;
gold from Maryland, 84; parallactic
telescope, 99; rise of Mississippi,
99; incrustation from wreck, 122;
wheat-worm, 162; Washington half
dollar, 170; wire gauze in near
sightedness, 171; daguerreotypes of
Moon, 208, 354; protococcus niva-
lis, 262; polarization, 305; crystal-
otype of moon, 312, 354; Klinker-
fuss’ comet, 342.

Kahler, W., motion of planets, 103,
106.

Kane, Dr. E. K., letter on American
Arctic expedition, 159; vegetables
from Arctic ice, 266; ice-drift of
Baffin’s bay, 284; new expedition,
321; thanks to Society, 332.

Kane, J. K., Arctic expedition, 224,

INDEX.

351, 357; caloric engine, 305; ex-
cused from obituary, 350.

Kendall, Prof., object-glass for tele-
scopes, 87; occultation of Jupiter,
139.

Kirkwood’s analogy, 97.

Laws of Society, amendments to, 173,
180, 198, 265, 306, 314, 317, 319,
355, 358.

Lea, Isaac, reptilian footmarks, 91,
261; unios from Ohio, 153; on com-
munication from Prof. Agassiz, 187;
naiades, 191; correspondence with
Prof. Agassiz, 218; molluscs, 251;
resolution, 262; letter from Thomas
Penn, 358.

Leconte, J. L., classification of cara-
bide, 321; revision of elateride,
347.

Leidy, Joseph, genus gregarina, 176;
nematoidea imperfecta, 180; Felis
ares 261; extinct American lion,

67.

Librarian elected, 5, 66, 122, 180, 248,

308

Library, contribution of President to-
wards improvement, 355.

Locke, Dr. J., gravity-escapement, 33;
telegraphic clock, 51; new mode of
recording observations, 206.

Locusts, 209.

Longstreth, M. F., tabular longitudes
of moon, 176.

Loomis, E., progress of astronomical
science, 48, 83; longitude of Hudson
observatory, 142, 182.

LETTERS from SOCIETIES, &c.
Soreign.

Acad. des Sciences, Paris, 348.

Cambridge Ph. Soc., 151, 200, 270.

Central Commission of Statistics,
Belgium, 280, 287.

Ecole des Mines, 100, 157, 245,
270, 317, 319, 832, 356.

Geographical Society, Paris, 154.

Geological Soc., London, 34, 67,

. 121, 157, 283, 322.

Holland Soe. Sci., Harlem, 34, 53,
203.

Horticultural Soc., Lond. 358.

Hungarian Acad. Sci., 287.

Imp. Soc. Naturalists, Moscow, 6,

_ 18, 81, 105, 211, 255, 297, 347.

Imp. Acad. Sciences, St. Peters-
burg, 46.

Imp. Acad. Sciences, Vienna, 214,
255, 288, 292, 3827, 352.

Leeds Phil. Society, 286, 348.

Linnean Soc., Lond., 214, 250, 358.

Lit. and Phil. Soc., Manchester,
80, 46, 109, 168, 196, 237.

363

Mining Engineers of Russia, 166,
216, 239, 352.

Nat. Hist. Soe., Northumberland,
&e., 343.

Royal Acad. of Belgium, 44,

Royal Acad. Sci., Berlin, 44, 151,
223, 327, 352.

Royal Acad. Hist., Madrid, 128.

Royal Asiatic Soc. 48, 253, 3858.

Royal Bavarian Acad. Sci., 42,
248, 288, 338, 345, 352:

Royal Geog. Soe., Lond., 81, 110,
239, 318.

Royal Geol. Soe., Cornwall, 203.

Royal Institute of Netherlands,
28, 50, 100, 145, 203, 281.

Royal Institution, London, 100,
107, 136, 288, 302.

Royal Observatory,
28.

Royal Saxon Soc. Sci. 352.

Royal Society, London, 18, 113,
151, 216, 255, 330.

Royal'Society, Géttingen, 151, 196,
288, 348.

Royal Society, Edinburgh, 165.

Royal Soc. Sci., Copenhagen, 26,
169, 288, 324, 352.

Royal Soc. Sci., Stockholm, 39,
231, 239, 314.

Society of Antiquaries, Lond., 50,
128, 208, 239, 286, 288, 358.
Soc. North. Ant. Copenhagen,

216.
Society of Sci., &c., Lille, 280.
Statistical Soc. London, 288.
Zoological Soc. London, 6, 145,
245, 348.
LETTERS from SOCIETIES, &c.,
domestic.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Philada., 98, 111,
231.
Albany Institute, 307.
Am. Acad. Arts and Sci., 46, 81,
122, 270, 276.
Amherst College, 134.
Am. Antiquarian Soc., 12, 87,
109, 214, 314.
Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 212.
Boston Atheneum, 184.
Bowditch Library, 24, 310.
Connecticut Hist. Soc., 151, 181,
288, 292, 310, 314, 348.
Congress Library, 276.
Franklin Institute, 70.
Hist. Soc. Penna., 178, 295, 318,
352.
Lyceum Nat. Hist. N. Y., 40, 255,
283.
New Bedford City Library, 332.
N. J. Hist. Soe., 18, 90, 113, 148,
178, 253, 276, 288, 314, 348.

299

aaae

Edinburgh,

364

N. Y. Hist. Soc., 17, 253.

Smithsonian Inst., 212, 255, 276.

Trustees N. Y. State Library, 148,
178, 280, 352.

Univ. N. Y. Regents, 18, 26, 53,
109, 214.

University, Cambridge, 90, 146,
181, 222, 268, 280, 358.

LETTERS from INDIVIDUALS.

Adams, J. C., 13.
Armstrong, H., 83.
Angelis, Don. P., 270.
Alexander, J. H., 271.
Banchero, G., 12.
Barca, C. de la, 23.
Browne, P. A., 26, 145, 245.
Bache, A. D., 28, 50, 73, 74, 88,
141, 186, 268.
Bache, F., 840, 355.
Berzelius, Baroness, 58.
Bennett, J. H., 113.
Bernhisel, J. M., 169.
Boardman, H. A., 196.
Bailey, J. W., 245.
Bond, W. C., 276.
Biddle, J. B., 327.
Conyngham, J. N. 23.
Colwell, S., 181.
Chauvenet, W., 196.
Chevalier, M., 265.
Craig, H. K., 314.
Cauchy, B. A., 3822.
Crelle, A. L., 324, 343.
Crampton, J. F., 358.
Denny, Henry, 7.
Denny, Harmar, 24.
Dickerson, M., 18.
Derrick, W. S., 216.
Davis, I. R., 229.

INDEX.

Hazlehurst, I., 196.
Hallowell, E., 225.
Hunter, W., 268.
Hubbard, J. 8., 268.
Haidinger, W. 8., 352.
Ingraham, E. D., 90.
Jarvis, H., 380.
Jones, J., 28.
Kirkbride, T. 8., 181.
King, H., 245.
Kennedy, J. P., 314.
Kane, J. K., 358.
Krauss, Dr., 348.
Kupffer, A. T., 214.
Leverrier, U. J., 4.
Leidy, J., 1138.
Leconte, J., 225.
Lea, I. 271, 292:
Lepsius, Prof., 280.
Law, E. E., 310.
Leconte, J. L., 310.
Lenthall, J., 338.
Morse, S. F. B., 28.
Metternich, Prince, 33.
Matter, T. D., 196.
M‘Call, P., 202.
Martinez, J. J., 234.
Meigs, J. F., 245.
Maury, M. F., 245, 292.
Michaux, F. A., 292.
Moraleda, 8. 302.
Mordecai, A., 309.
Mann, A. D., 238.
Massone, G. B., 348.
Marsh, G. P., 67.
Neil. J, 270:

Ord, Geo., 3388.
Peirce, Prof., 5, 15.
Picot, C., 23.

Davis, C. H., 245.

Everett, E., 88, 297.
Kekert, G. W., 245.

Ferris, B., 171.

Farnum, J. W., 198.
Flugel, J. G., 194, 530, 348.
French, B. F., 276.

Gilliss, J. M., 7, 24, 69, 324.
Grier, R. C., 23.

Greenleaf, S., 23.
Geddings, H. 26.

Gould, B. A. jr., 45, 157, 181, 286.
Gould, A. A., 109, 216.
Gaskill, E., 164.

Graham, J. D., 176.
Grinnell, H., 327.

Grunert, J. G., 327.

Gauss, C. F., 340.

Henry, Prof., 44.

Horsford, HE. N., 70.

Hanse, R., 100.

Hart, A. M., 183.

Hill, J., 188.

Prest. Georgetown Coll., 24.
Prescott, W. H., 128, 229.
Purgstall, Baron, 171, 307.
Pancoast, J., 196. .
Patterson, R. M., 298.
Patterson, R., 196.
Patterson, T. L., 348.
Parish, Geo., 255, 310, 314. .
Patton, W., 275.
Paine, M., 286.
Reed, John, 23.
Reed, W. B., 148, 314.
Reynolds, J. B., 181.
Remington, Dr., 203.
Ruschenberger, W. S. W., 109.
Reese, J. J., 271.

- Rafn, C. C., 292.
Squier, E. G., 18.
Stevens, A. H., 28.
Secretary of Navy, 34, 302.
Scott, J. M., 37.
Santarem, M. de, 184.
Svanberg, J. A., 190.

INDEX.

Shippen, W., 200.
Sabine, Col., 229.
Smith, F. G., 245.
Stille, A., 245.

Totten, J. G., 298.
Totten, G. M., 190.
Towne, J. H., 181.
Tilt, Be Je 23.
Telsky, Count, 283.
Vaughan, P., 87.
Vega, G. L. de la, 302.
Wetherill, C. M., 181.
Ward, T., 190, 250.
Webster, D., 265.
Wilson, T. B., 268.
Zantedeschi, Prof., 136, 225.

Maryland Hist. Soc. Indian Vocabula-
ries, 86.

Mastodon, casts presented to Acad.
Nat. Sci., 264.

M‘Euen, Dr., zinc by distillation, 106.

Memorial to legislature, 185.

Michaux, F. A. sealed document to
Society, 292, 293.

Miller, Edward, silicate of zinc, 329.

Molybdenite, 273.

Moon, influence upon weather, 117;
daguerreotype of, 208; crystalotype,
312.

Members elected :
Adams, J. C., 6.
Alaman, L., 181.
Alexander, J. H., 268.
Arfwedson, C. D., 347.
Baird, R., 6.
Barca, C. de la, 22.
Bennett, J. H., 109.
Boardman, H. A., 195.
Bailey, J. W., 244.
Bond, W. C., 268.
Bird, R. M., 309.
Biddle, J. B., 327.
Conyngham, J. N., 22.
Colwell, S., 180.
Chauvenet, W., 195.
Chevalier, M., 244.
Cassin, J., 268.
Crelle, A. L., 309.
Cauchy, A., 309.
Denny, H., 22.
Dundas, J., 224.
Davis, I. R., 224.
Davis, C. H., 244.
Dworjak, C., 347.
Eckert, G. N., 244.
Farnum, J. W., 181.
Fligel, J. G., 309.
Fisher, A. F., 347.
Gilliss, J. M., 6.
Gray, A., 6.
Grier, R. C., 22.

365

Greenleaf, S., 22.
Geddings, E., 22.
Goodsir, J., 109.
Gould, A. A., 109.
Gould, B. A., 181.
Gauss, C. F., 309.
Grinnell, H., 327.
Horsford, E. N., 66.
Hazlehurst, I., 195.
Hallowell, E., 224.
Hubbard, J. S8., 268.
Hall, M., 337.
Ingersoll, R. J., 22.
James, J. F., 6.
Jahn, G. A., 6.
Jones, J., 22.

Kent, W., 22.
Kiernan, F., 109.
Kirkbride, T. S., 181.
Kirkwood, D., 195.
Kane, HE. K., 224.
King, E., 244.
Kennedy, J. P., 309.
Longstreth, M. F., 22.
Leidy, J., 66.
Leconte, J., 224.
Leconte, J. L., 309.
Liouville, J., 309.
Law, EH. E., 309.
Lynch, W. F., 309.
Morse, 8S. F. B., 22.
Marsh, G. P., 66.
Mitter, T. D., 195.
Morris, C., 195.

M ‘Call, P., 195.
Morris, J. G., 195.
Meigs, J. F., 244.
Maury, M. F., 291.
Mitchell, O. M., 309.
Mordecai, A., 309.
Neill. J., 268.

Picot, C., 22.
Pouchet, F. A., 22.
Pepper, W., 195.
Pancoast, J., 195.
Patterson, R., 195.
Patterson, T. L., 827.
Reed, J., 22.
Ruschenberger, W. S. W., 109.
Reynolds, J. B., 181.
Reese, J. J., 268.
Storrs, W. L., 22.
Stevens, A. M., 22.
Shippen, W., 195.
Sharswood, G., 224.
Smith, F. G., 244.
Stille, A., 244.
Sakharoff, B., 347.
Strelkowsky, P., 347.
Struve, F. G. W., 347.
Towne, J. H., 180.
Totten, G. M., 181.

366

Wetherill, C. M., 181.
Wilson, T. B., 268.
Zantedeschi, F., 195.

Members deceased:

Adams, J. Q., 11.
Audubon, J. J., 182.
Alaman, L., 336.
Brongniart, A., 5.
Berzelius, J. J., 36.
Blainville, M., 153.
Betton, S., 153.

Brockenbrough, Dr., 279.

Carlisle, N., 15.
Chauncey, C., 103.
Crosse, J. G., 155.
Cooper, J. F., 218.
Chapman, N., 336.
Caldwell, C., 337.
Ducatel, J. T., 89.
Dobson, J., 163.
Denny, H., 247.
Drake, D., 294.
Dickerson, M., 345.
Emlen, G., 159.
Green, A., 25.
Gilmor, R., 66.
Gallatin, A., 99.
Griffith, R. E., 155.
Godoy, M., 228.
Gutzlaff, C., 234.
Griscom, J., 251.
Gilpin, T., 319.
Gibson, J. B., 329.
Greenleaf, S., 347.
Hemso, G. de, 5.
Hartshorne, J., 159.
Hembel, W., 206.
Horner, W. E., 321.
Jones, T. P., 13.
Jarvis, 8. F., 191.
Louis Philippe, 159.
Lasteyrie, Count, 180.
Miller, S., 122.
Morton, 8. G., 201.
Milledoler, P., 285.
Oersted, J. C., 195.
Prichard, J. C., 72.
Perkins, J., 108.
Pedersen, P., 218.
Poinsett, J. R., 288.
Rico C29:
Peter, W., 317.
Randolph, J. 11.
Reed, J., 126.

Roux de Rochelle, 137.
Reynolds, J. B., 206.
Richards, B. W., 211.
Rogers, J. B., 272.
Short, W., 112.
Stuart, M., 240.
Stephens, J. L., 287.
Sergeant, J., 297.

INDEX.

Tidyman, P., 155.
Troost, G., 159.
Taylor, R. C., 226.
Vanuxem, L., 9.
Vaughan, W., 153.
Wheaton, H., 13.
Wylie, S. B., 287.
Webster, D., 290.
Wayne, I., 290.
Walker, S. C., 312.
Wetherill, J. P., 340.

Members surviving, list read, 5, 66,
122, 180, 248, 308.

Naiades, large, 191.

New Mexico, mineral specimens, 291,
294; potato indigenous, 291.

Nickel, in iron pyrites, 280.

Occultation of Jupiter, 139.

Ord,

G., thanks of Society, 6.

Obituaries, members to write—are not
committees, 350.
Obituary notices directed, of

Audubon, J. J., 182.
Chapman, N., 336.
Caldwell, C., 337, 340.
Green, A., 25.

Griffith, R. E., 155.
Gilpin, T., 521.

Horner, W. E., 321.
Morton, S. G., 201, 334.
Poinsett, J. R., 288.
Peter, W., 317.
Richards, B. W., 211.
Rogers, J. B., 279.
Short, W., 117.
Tidyman, P., 155, 340.
Vanuxem, L., 9.
Vaughan, W., 153.
Webster, D., 290.
Walker, 8S. C., 312, 328.
Wetherill, J. P., 340.

Obituary notices read, of

Beasley, F., by Dr. Wood, 20.

Lesueur, C. A., by Mr. Ord, 83.

Richards, B. W., by Judge Kane,
218.

Taylor, R. C., by Mr. Lea, 226.

Vanuxem, L., by Mr. Lea, 10.

Webster, D., by Dr. Boardman,
296.

Parish collection of medals, 247, 264,
310, 314.

Patterson, R. M., medal of, 218; let-
ter to, 296.

Peale, F., exhibits coins, 195, African
rings, &c., 202; medal of Dr. Pat-
terson, 218.

Penal Reform Convention, use of Hall,
28.

INDEX.

Penn, Thomas, letter from, 358.

Planets Uranus and Neptune, 15, 20.

Plumbago, from Bucks county, 171.

Potassium, in iron ore, 264.

President and two members visit Eu-
rope, 322.

Protococcus nivalis, 262.

Publication fund established, 270.

Radiation of heat, 109.
Reptilian footmarks, 91.
Rittenhouse, portrait copied, 156.

Salt-radical theory, 275.

Schumacher, Prof., notice of labours
ordered, 182; testimonial to, 185.

Secretary of Navy, resolution, 299.

Sound, transmission of, 118.

Spy-glass by Mertz and Son, 41.

Taylor, R. C., Hillsborough asphal-
tum, 241...

Telegraphic clock, 51.

————— operations of U. S. Coast
Survey, 74. record of observa-
tions, 206.

Telescopic gas-holder, 164.

Temperature of congelation, 168.

Tilghman, R. A., leave to publish, 6;
potassium in iron ore, 264; decom-
position of alkaline sulphates, 274.

367

Treasurer, annual report of, 46, 112,
171, 2383, 358.

Trego, C. B., abstract of memoir on
ancient Roman disc, 125; ‘Indian
walk” in 1737, 126; Cicada septen-
decem, 209; elected treasurer, 216;
minerals from New Mexico, 291,
294.

Trust funds, 270.

Tucker, Prof., probable effects of in-
crease of gold, 148.

Unios from Ohio, 153.
Vegetables from Arctic ice, 266.

Walker, 8. C., planet Neptune, 20;
Telegraphic operations of coast
survey, 74; Kirkwood’s analogy,
Sie

Washington half dollar, 170.

Wetherill, C. M., sulph. ox. ethyle,
&e., 30; minerals from Reading,
273; new variety of asphalt, 279.

Wheat worm, 162.

Wire gauze in myopy, 171.

Wools from Saxony, 247, 250, 257,
264.

Zircon, 273.
Zinc, silicate of, 329.

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