•;' , , " ' ^ i:' I'i fJ! ;';■ r< »';!'. ':{ : ' ':■ 1 i ■. ■sli 1; ■' '''' ''■'•'*• : . ' t;;; J 1 "''S' ' ''■■-'' 1 i '' u! 1 --.^ 111 i m-^ ^^^H;'ii:^'V' ' - : ; ■;';i:i'^;-. r,-'.:^ - \ 1 1 1 IL t ■:. 1 m0 .' ^ \ ■*■'"' i I '.■,-■■■■■-.■■ H i i , • ' ■- - • r ! / : : ■H PROCEEDINGS CALIFORNIA ACADEMY SCIENCES. VOLUME IV, 1868-1872. SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLISHED BY THE ACADEMY 1873- y-i^ Publications of the California Academy of Sciences. PROCEEDINGS, OCTAVO: Volume I is out of print Volume II, pp. 236, illustrated, price in gold $1 50 Volume III, pp. 401, price in gold 2 50 Volume IV, pp. 322, and two plates 2 50 Each Annual Part, price in gold 50 The date of the publication of each sheet will be found at the bottom of first page of sheets. The sheets of this Volume (IV) have been in part circulated sep. arately, and also in annual parts, as follows : Part T, p. 1-32, for 1868, printed in November, 1868. Part I, p. 33-40, for 1868, printed in January, 1869. Part II, p. 41-104, for 18C9, printed in February, 1870. Part III, p. 105-154, for 1870, printed in April, 1871. Part IV, p. 155-204, for 1871, printed in January, 1872. Part V, p. 204-322, for 1872, printed in Jan.-March, 1873. |^~ Some of the papers in Part V were printed in advance, as per dates In foot-notes. MEMOIRS, QUARTO: 1. " Pacific Coast Mosses,"by Leo Lesquereux, pp. 38, price in gold $1 00 2. " Natural System of Volcanic Rocks," by F. Baron Richthofen, Dr. Phil. Price. . 1 50 HENRY PAYOT & CO., Agents for the sale of the Academy's publications, 640 Washington Street, San Francisco. Also, Naturalists' Agency, Salem, Mass. 44879 OFFICERS FOR 1873. President GEORGP] DAVIDSON Vice-President JOHN HEWSTON, Jr. Corresponding Secretary HENRY G. HANKS Recording Secretary CH AS. G. YALE Treasurer ELISHA BROOKS Librarian C. N. ELLINWOOD, M. D. Director of the Museum PL G. BLOOMER TRUSTEES. ROBERT E. C. STEARNS. THOMAS P. MADDEN. OLIVER ELDRIDGE. D. D. COLTON. The President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer are Trnstoes ex qftirio. CLRATORS. Gkneral Zoology W. II. DALL IcTHTOLOGY GEORCE HEWSTON, M. D. CoNCHOLOGY W. \^ PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. Annual Meeting, January 4th, 1868. President in the Chair. Thirty-three mepibers present. B. M. Ilartshorne was elected a hfe member. W. W, McFar- land, Wm. Bailey, George S. Allardt, A. F. Sawyer, M.D., and Isaac Howell, M.D., were elected resident members. W. C. -S. Belcher and W. Christie, corresponding members. The President delivered an address exhibiting the history and progress of the Academy. The Treasurer and the Curators of Botany and Conchology pre- sented reports which were accepted. The new Constitution was then read, section by section, and vari- ous amendments adopted. It was then adopted as a whole. Adjourned Meeting, January 13th,. 1868. President in the Chair. Thirty-one members present. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Pboc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 1 ^"ov. 18G8. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA PRESIDE NT. PROF. J. D. WHITNEY, VICE PRESIDENT. DR. JAMES BLAKE. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. H. N. BOLANDER. RECORDING SECRETARY. THEODORE BRADLEY. TREASURER. EDWARD BOSQUI. LIBRARIAN. Dr. a. KELLOGG. DIRECTOR OF THE Ml'SEUM. R. E. C. STEARNS. * Regular Meeting, January 20th, 1868. President in the Chair. Twenty-three members present. A motion was adopted to print five hundred copies of' the new constitution, hst of members, and annual address of the President. It was stated by the President that the Council had appoifited the following Curators : . General Zoology — Dr. J. G. Cooper. 'Conchology — AY. G. W. Harford. Radiata — Dr. J. B. Trask. Entomology — R. H. Stretch. G-eology — W. A. Goodyear. Botany — H. Bloomer. Donations to the Library : " Concentration and Chlorinization of Ores," by G. Kustel. "A History of the Fishes of Mass.," by Dr. D. H. Storer, from the authors. A fine photograph of the skull of the Siamese Tiger from Boston. Copies of the second memoir of the Academy were distributed to members. It is an original paper by Baron Richthofen on the Natural System of Volcanic Rocks, comprising ninety-four pages. Dr. Cooper presented the^foUowiug paper : ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. Some Recent Additions to the Fauna of California. . BY J. G. COOPER, M. D. In Yol. II, p. 118, of our Proceedings, there is published a list of animals discovered by me while stationed as surgeon at Fort Mojave, Colorado valley, three of them undescribed before, and twenty others new to this State. I may here remark that all the species there mentioned were actually collected by me and preserved for the State Museum, except two included in brackets, [ ] which I have since obtained also. Yet some authors have referred to them as only "observed" by me, and even ignored entirely my notice of some of them while referring to others mentioned in the same article. One or two names will need correction in the present pajier. I now present the additions iwhich I have been able to make to our lists of the two highest classes since then. Those collected by aid of the Geological Survey are distinguished by a *, new species by a f. Some were obtained during my service in the army, or by friends whose names are duly mentioned. The chief authorities for the previous discovery of species in this State are the volumes on mammals and birds of North America by Baird, Cassin and Lawrence, of which the text forms the 8th and* 9th volumes of the Pacific R. R. Reports, besides a few collected here by Gambel, Heermann and others, not mentioned therein. Many are mentioned by authors as having been seen in this State, but have not been confirmed by collections. Full information on all our species has been prepared for the Reports of the Geological Survey, now nearly ready for publication, and to be profusely illus- trated. Besides those here mentioned, there have been added to our fauna since 1859 the following numbers of species in the lower classes of vertebrates : Reptiles and Batrachians. — Ten or twelve species, of which three or four are probably new, mostly obtained through the Geological Survey. Fishes. — About fifty species, collected by myself while in the Survey, or by Dr. Ayres, Mr. Hubbard, aud other members of our Academy, who obtained them chiefly in the San Francisco market. Many of these were described in these proceedings. Having recently furnished a complete enumeration of the vertebrata of this State for Mr. Cronise's "Natural Wealth of California," I find the number of species known to me to be as follows. In order to show the progress of our knowledge on this subject, I add the number of each class believed to inhabit California in 18'62, when I made the estimate published by Prof. Whitney in his Annual Report, and in our Proceedings, Yol. Ill, p. 23, with other statis- tical items — Species known. Mammals. Birds. Reptiles, etc. Fishes. 1862 77. 115. 320. 353. 45. 85. 133. 1868 196. 4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Still greater progress has been made in the invertebrate classes, but most of them being still in the hands of other naturalists I can only give the numbers relating to the mollusca. In 1862 there were believed to be about 400. The well-determined species now known are 598, (omitting varieties, etc.) to Vhich will probably be added 20 or more still undeserlbed, and about 200 species and varieties found west of the Rocky Mountains, between latitudes 32° and 49°, but which have not yet been detected within our limits. (See " Geographical Catalogue.") Class MAMMALIA— Order Pinnipedia. 1 Phoca Peaiji Gill — Leopard Seal ? — Hab. Whole coast of California. As I have found but one species of Phoca along the coast, well known here as the Leopard Seal, I suppose it to be the one named (without description) by Gill in his '-Prodrome" in the Proc. Essex Ii^st. V. 1, April, 1866. It is quite distinct in dentition from the "Leopard Seal" of most books, a species of Stenorhynchus, but seems to resemble that closely in colors. 2 Halicyon Richard: Gray, (Gill) — Fur Seal ? — Hab. Farallone Islands and north, British Columbia, Alaska. I have been quite unable to obtain specimens from the Farallones to deter- mine what is the " Fur Seal " occasionally killed there, or if it be the same hunted on the coast of Alaska. The nature of the hair would indicate a genus distinct from Phoca. So far, none of this order have been found identical in the two oceans except the walrus, Rosmarus obesm Illiger, (Gill) which lives near the Arctic circle. 3 Macrorhinus angustirostris. Gill — California Sea Elephant. This huge beast formerly abounded at certain seasons on the islands along our southern coast, but seems to have been exterminated, or driven to Lower California by the reckless persecution of the sealers, who will probably entirely destroy the species in a few years. It is said to grow twenty feet long and of immense- bulk, like the Walrus. I could never obtain more than a single broken skull, nor did I see the animal during a long residence southward. A full account of this and the Whales is however being prepared by my friend Capt. C. M. Scammon, of the Revenue Service. 4 Arctocephalus ursinus F. Cuvier — Sea Bear. Hab. Coast of Washing- ton Territory and north. I mention this as probably a visitor to the Farallone Islands in winter. 5 Elt.metopias Californianus Lesson, (Gill) — Northern Sea Lion. (= Otaria Monteriensis Gray, and perhaps 0. Slelleri Miiller, according to Gill.) 6 Zalophus Gillespiei Macbain, (Gill) — Southern Sea Lion. — Whether there is more than one species of Sea Lion on our coast is still doubtful, although naturalists who have had little more than skulls to study have made four species and three genera from them ! I have been unable to identify those from the Farallone and Santa Barbara Islands with either of the above to my entire satisfaction. The dififerences in the animals of the two groups ar3 chiefly in size, (depending on age ?) and the two sexes always differ so much that skulls alone of various ages might easily mislead those who never saw them alive. It ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 5 appears as if each breeding'-place produces a local variety somewhat peculiar, and that they never resort to any other islands for breeding than those where they were born. Order Insectivora. 7 fSoREx . A species apparently new was obtained by me at Kern River, the most southerly point at which the genus has been found on this coast. Prof. Baird has it for determination. Order Cheiroptera. As this order-is omitted in the latest general works on the animals of North America, I insert a list of those so far determined to inhabit this State, taken from Allen's " Monograph oT North American Bats," published by the Smith- sonian Institution, with some additions and corrections made by him in the Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc, 1864 to \8G6. Several of the species are in the State Collection. 8. Macrotus Oalifornicus Baird — Leaf-nosed Bat. Ft. Tuma, to Cape St. Lucas. See U. S. & Mex. Boundary Survey Report, II, 2, p. 2, pi. 1, fig. 2. 9 Nyctinomus nasutus Spix, (Tomes) — Sharp-nosed Bat. Texas to Ft. Yuma, and south to Brazil. See Annals N. Y. Lyceum N. H., IV, 65, pi. iiijX 1, M. cijnocephalus. 10 Lasiurus Noveboracensis Erxleben, (Tomes) — Red Bat. Whole United States and south to Chili. See Nat. Hi.st. of N. Y., Zool., p 6. pi. ii. 11 Lasiurus cinereus Palisot, (Allen) — Hoary Bat. All of America. See same work. 12 ScoTOPHiLus Fuscus Palisot, (Allen) — Brown Bat. Whole United States- to Vera Cruz, Mexico. 13 ScoTOPiiiLUS NOCTivAGANS Lcconte (Allen) — Silver-haired Bat. Hud- son's Bay to Washington, D. C, and Ft. Reading, California. 14 ScoTOPiiiLus HESPERUS Alien — Western Bat. Posa Creek, (Visalia) to Ft. Yuma, Califorrjia. 15 Vespertilio subulatus Say — Little Brown Bat. Nova Scotia to So- nora, Mex., and Arizona {=V. Cnlifornicus Bach.?) Very near or identical with the next. 16 Vespertilio evotis Allen — Oval-eared Bat. Nebraska and Washington Territory to Cape St. Lucas. 17 Vespertilio lucifugus Leconte — Blunt-nosed Bat. Hudson's Bay to Aspinwall, N. G., and Fort Reading, California. 18 Vespertilio obscurus Allen — Obscure Bat. Oregon ? to Cape St. Lucas. Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc, 1866, p. 289. (= V. Oregonemis Le- conte, Mss?) 19 Vespertilio Yumanensis Allen — Gila Bat. Fort Yuma, California. 20 Vespertilio nitidus Allen — Shining Bat. Lat. 49° W. T., to Cape St. Lucas and Texas. 21 Vespertilio macropds Allen — Long-footed Bat. Near Fort Mojave, Colorado Valley, Dr. Coues, U. S. A. Described with obscurus, 186G. 6 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 22 Synotus Towxsexdii Cooper, (Warner) — Townsend's Bat. Nebraska and Washington Territory to Utali, (and Cal. ?) See Ann. N. Y. Lyceum Nat. Hist. IV, 73, pi. 3, f. 6. 23 Antrozous pallidus Leconte, (Allen) — Pale Bat. Columbia River to Cape St. Lucas and Te.xas. See U. S. Mex. Bound. Rep. II, 2, p. 4, pi. 1, f. 1. For other illustrations see Allen's work. Order Rodknti A. 24* Spermophilus elegans Kennicott — Elegant Ground Squirrel — Proc. Phil. Ac. Nat. Sc, 1863. Hah. near Salt Lake, Utah, to Johnson's Pass, Sierra Nevada, where I found it ir> 1863. Pitt River? 25* Spermophilus lateralis Say, (Rich.) — Say's Ground Squirrel — Near summits of the Sierra Nevada, lat. 38'' common. 26 Pteromys Oregonensis Bachman — Oregon Plying Squirrel — Sent from Mendocino County to Mr. Lorquin. ^ 27* Lagomys princeps Richardson — "Little Chief Hare ";■ Rat-rabbit — I obtained specimens near the snow line, above Johnson's Pass, Sierra Nevada, which I cannot distinguish from the descriptions and figures of the above, which is found in the Cascade Range, near lat. 49" and the Rocky Moun- tains, lat. 42'^ See our Proceedings for October, 1863, p. 69, for record of its occurrence so far south.** » Order Cetacea. The Pacific species of this order, not found in the Arctic Sea, are all distinct from those of the Atlantic Ocean, but some have been described in costly for- eign works as from Japan, and therefore, it has been impossible so far, to name ours with any certainty. From the notes and drawings of Capt. Scararaon, I have recognized species of the following genera : 28 Bal/EiVa California Gray. 29 BAL.ENA Right Whale. Probably not B. mysticetus. 30 RoRQUALUs Humpback Whale. 31 RoRQUALus — Finback Whale. 32 RoRQUALUs Sulphur-bottom. 33 Physeter Sperm Whale. Probably P. macrocephalus. 34 Glomcephalus Black Fish. 35 Piioc/ENA Bay Porpoise. 36 I)elphinl-s Dolphin Porpoise. Apparently two or three species. 37 Orca Killer. Dr. Gray's catalogues of the British Museum also mention species of the fol- lowing genera as found on the " Northwest coast " of America, but they probably never or rarely approach our shores : ** 3Ir. Gabb, in his late journey througli Lower California, found this interesting animal " on a mountain near the boundary, about 10,000 feet above the sea."— [See Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad., lb(J8.] Note.— There has been no record of the occurrence of the Muskrat, (Fiber zibethicus. Linn. ) in California, but skins are brought from Nevada, and 1 think I once saw one killed near the coast. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 7 Megaptem, (=Rorqualus No. 31 ?) ; Lugcnor/iijnchm, Bottle-nosed Por- poise or Whale ; Delphinapterus, aud Beluga or White Whale — the last proba- bly only an Arctic species. Class BIRDS. Order Scansores. 38 CoccYGDS Americanus Linn. (Vieill.) — Tellow-billed Cuckoo. Ob- tained in Sonoma or Napa County by Mr. F. Gruber, and observed by me to be quite abundant in summer, at Sacramento. Mentioned by Nuttall, Newberry and others, but I believe, never before collected on this coast. 39* PicoiDES ARCTious Swainson, (Gray) — Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. I found this species common near Lake Taho and the summits of tlie Sierra. Order Raptores. 40 AsTUR atricapillus Wilson, (Bonap.) — Goshawk — Collected at Michi- gan Bluffs, Placer County, by Mr. Gruber in summer, and seen by me on the Sierra Nevada. 41* BuTEO zoNOCERCUS Sclatcr — Contraband Hawk — See Proc. Zool. Soc, London, 1858, p. 263— Coues, in Proc. Philad. Acad. Nat. Sc, Jan., 1866. Obtained by me at San Diego, Cal., in March, 1862 ; the first found in the United States ; Arizona, Cones ; Mexico, Scloter. f Athene Whitneiji Cooper, Proc. Cal. Acad., II, 118, 1861, has been made the type of a new genus Micrathene by Coues, 1. c. supra. A second speci- men marked, " Mexico," is in Mr. Woodward's Museum in this city. Order Strisores. 42 Callothorax Calliope Gould — Calliope Humming-bird— Obtained at Fort Tejon by J. Xantus, (Baird in lit.)— See Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Philad., 1859. 43* Selaspiiorus platycercus Swainson, (Gould) — Broad-tailed Humming- bird — I obtained a female specimen at Lake Tahoe, this making the sixth Cal- ifornian species of Humming-bird. Order Passeres. Empiclonax Traillii Aud. (Baird) — Traill's Flycatcher — See vol II, p. 122. As the existence of this species ijvest of the Rocky Mountains has been doubted by Prof. Baird and Dr. Coues, (Proc. Philad. Acad., Jan., 1868) I made a new comparison of my male specimen with the description, aud found it to agree in every detail, except in having the primaries only half an inch (0.50) longer than the secondaries, instead of 0.70, and the tail 0.10 inch shorter, the bird being however smaller than Prof. Baird's Pennsylvania speci- men. The color is probably a little more gray than in Eastern birds, as in all the species of Colorado Valley. It differs from E. pusillus, as described by Baird, in all the essential points, and is in excellent spring plumage. The lower maudible was yellowish instead of " dusky flesh color," the feet brownish, not black as in the E. pusillus of Coues. 44* Regulus Satrapa Lichtenstein — Golden Crowned Wren. — Found by me near the summit of Johnson's Pass, Sierra Nevada. M^ f^^ ^•^ V\<^\ I 8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA *t Vireo belli Cooper, (uot Aud.) Proc. Cal. Acad. 11,118, 1861, is now the ViREO pusiLLUs Coues — Little Vireo. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc, Pliila., Jan. 1868 — I observed it at Sacramento also. Vireo gilvus Vieill. (Bonap.) — A specimen obtained at Alameda by Mr. Holder, has the quills as in I^astern specimens, not as in the " V. Sicain- sonii " from Arizona, supposed by Coues to replace gilvus entirely on this coast. It has however the greyish tint, while one from San Diego, collected in spring, has a good olive color, with the quill formula of V. Swainsonii. 45* Hesperiphona vespertina Cooper, (Bon.) — Evening Grosbeak — Forest Hill, Sierra County, in summer, (Gruber,) and south to Santa Cruz in severe winters, where I saw them in one out of two seasons. 46* PiNicoLA Canadensis Brisson, (Cab.) — Pine Grosbeak — I found them at Johnson's Pass in September. 47 PvRRHULOxiA siNUATA Bouap. — Tcxan Cardinal-bird — Has been recently obtained at Ft. Yuma. [Coues.) Icterus cucullatus Swainson — Hooded Oriole. — Mentioned in the list of 1861, was afterwards obtained by me near San Diego. 48* PiciooRVUs CoLUMBiANUS Wilson, (Bonap.) — Clarke's Crow. — Abund- ant in the high Sierra. Order Grallatores. 49* H.EiiATOPtJS palliatus Temminck^Pied Oyster-catcher — San Diego and the southern islands in summer, two specimens. Before reported doubt- fully from this coast. 50 AcTODROMAS MACULATA Yicillot, (Coucs.) — Jack Snipe — Not rare at San Francisco Bay in winter. Specimens preserved by Mr. W. H. Holder. 51 PoRZANA NovEBORACENSis Gmclin, (sp.) — Yellow Rail — Collected at Martinez by E. Mathewson, and at S. F. Bay by Gruber. 52 PoRZANA Jamaicensis Gmelin, (sp.) — Black Rail — Farallone Is., Gruber, Martinez, Mathewson, Alameda, Holder in winter. Order Lamellirostres. 53 Anser albatus Cassin — White Brant. Proc. Pbila. Acad. Nat. Sc, 1856, 11 aud 1861, 72. Baird, Birds of North America ; Pacific R. R. Reports, IX, 760, 925. Spkc. Char. Smaller than A. hype7-bo7-e7is,^he'mg about equal in size to Bcrnicla Hutchinsii. Wliite, ends of primaries blacli, bill and feet red. Young, dull, blniuh cinereous. Length of dry skin 25 inches, wing 15-50, tail 5-75, bill on cumen 2, tarsus y. Brought from " Oregon" by the U. S. Exploring Expedition, (Cassin) . This small breed or species appears to be not rare in California some winters. It bears the same relation to the Snow "Goose," {A. liyperboreus,) that B. Hutchinsii does to B. Canadensis. N. B. Mr. Lorquin has a specimen which appears to be a hybrid of the Snow Goose with Garabel's Goose, [A. Gambelii.) It is white, the back and neck irregularly mottled with brown, the head brown, except the white forehead characteristic of the latter species. The bill approaches nearest to that of the Snow Goose, being larger than in the other species, but the other proportions ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 9 are like those of tlie adult A. Gambelii. See Richardson's Arct. Exped., p? 303. The Black Swan [Chenopsis atratits,) may become naturalised here if hunters will give it a chance, as several raised here in confinement have escaped, though five or six of them have been already brought back dead to the taxidermists as great curiosities. .54 Bernicla nigricans Lawrence — Black Brant-^Large numbers winter in San Diego Bay, where I obtained one. First described from Toukon Valley, Alaska, in Richardson's Arctic Expedition, (Harpers 8 vo. ed., 1864, p. 305). 55 Mareca Penelope Linnaeus, (Bonap) — European Widgeon — Mr. Lor- quin has obtained several specimens in the market in winter, which were prob- ably stragglers from Asia instead of Europe. Mr. Lorquin has a specimen of the American Widgeon, {M. Americana,) which has the sides of head nearly pure white instead of buff, the black spots existing only on the back part of crown and sides of neck, the green crest unspotted, and lateral tail coverts glossed with green, the breast paler than usual, but otherwise normal. It seems merely a highly developed specimen, with the specific charactei's uncommonly well marked. The Pheasant-tailed Duck, [Bafihi urophasiamis Vigors,) has been reported as occurring on our coast as well as in South America. Vigors' description and figure resemble our female Mallard or domestic duck, except in the pointed tail, and if the specimen described was really a female it might reasonably be expected that the male should resemble the male mallard. Two such specimens; have been obtained here which I will describe, though they may very probably prove to be only hybrids between the Mallard and Pintail, possibly raised in some barnyard where a Pintail has been domesticated, and doubtless of one- brood. A domestic hybrid of the latter and the European Widgeon is men- tioned Ijy Nuttall. Mr. Lorquin exhihited here last winter a su|)posed hybrid of the same with a Teal, which was sent to San Jose before I could see- it. Mr. Lorquin's specimen, now described, was exhibited here Feb. 4th, 1867, and the other was killed and stuffed about the same time by Mr. Homer Lynch, of Alameda. This latter has somewhat more of the characters of the mallard. Description. Head dark green, forehead purplish, a white collar nearly encircling neck, half au inch wide in front, an inch on sides, where the ends run upward to E' point; hack and wing-coverts waved with hrown and wliite lines, tertiaries plain brown ; breast dark brown fading to white below. From the Pintail is inherited the bill, a quarter inch shorter than the Mallard's, the nape of neck nearly black, the shorter, upturned points of the collar Wider, and more general wavings of the back and sides, nearly white abdomen. The rump and tail feathers are intermediate iu mixture of the gray center with white edges. The speculum is of a line emerald green, that of the Mallard being violel, of the Pintail greenish purple. There is a brown band in front of it, with a black anterior margin, wider than that of the Pintail. (In the Mallard it is- wliite.) Upper tail-coverts elongated, but two inches shorter than in the Pintail, and their ends turned vpicard. Middle tail-feathers exactly as iu Pintail, and sides of the rump pure white as in that bird. Order Longipennes. 56 Larus Hutchinsii Richardson — Hutchins' White Gull. Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, 419, 1831— Coues, Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc. 1862, 294. 10 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA "? Lnrnx irlacialis Benicken, (not MacKJll). Glancvs and Laroides glacialis Bruch, 1853 and 1855. Leucvs arcticuf: Bonap. 1856, (not Macgill.) excl. syn." (Cones.) Spec. Char. Adnlf. Bill flesh color at base, blackish on terminal third. Entire plumage pure white, shafts of feathers straw-yellow. Feet light flesh-color. Young. Head, neck and upper parts mottled light reddish brown, appearing on the latter as irregular patches, and on the rump as more or less obsolete transverse bars. Under parts a nearly uniform very light reddish brown, the under tail-coverts transversely barred with white. Wings and tail pure white. Lengtii 27.50, extent 60, wing 17.75, bill above-2.46, gape 3.20. Tarsus 3.40, middle toe and claw 3.50. (Coues.) Hah. Arctic America. A straggler was shot in Washington County, N. Y., in winter, and presented to Smithsonian Institute by Mr. P. Reid. A specimen in perfect plumage was shot at the Farallone Islands, last year, by Mr. Tasker, the light-keeper, who presented it to Mr. Gruber. He says they are not rare visitors there in winter. This specimen agrees exactly with the description excei)t in being a little smaller, (wing 1G.75, bill along gape 3.) 1 have added descriptions of this and other birds not given in the Pac. R. R. Re- ports. It may have been the " L. ehurneus ? " mentioned by Newberry, Pac. R. R. Rep. VI, ii, 105, as killed on Des Chutes R. Or. 1855, but lost. I have seen many immature specimens about San Francisco Bay the jjast winter. 57 Larus brach.yrhynchus Richardson — Short-billed Gull. ^= L. Suckleyi and Rissa septenirioiialis Lawrence, Birds ofN.A. 848, 854, but not L. brachyrhjinchus of Gould nor of most American authors, teste Coues, Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc. 1862. Mr. Lorquin has a young specimen shot in this bay, probably in the cold season. This is the most southerly occurrence both of this and the next. 58 RissA KoTZEBUEi Bonaparte — Kotzebue's Kittiwake — (=" R. hreviros- trts " ISiwrence, not of Brandt, teste Coues 1. c. supra.) A specimen in nearly perfect plumage is in Mr. Lorquin's collection, shot in this bay. As Mr. Law- rence only quoted Bruch 's description which was " from the type," the error should be charged to Bruch, if it is one. 59 Thalasseds elegans Garabel — Elegant Tern— The first specimens I have seen from this State were shot by Mr. Lorquin in S. F. Bay, and are in fine plumage. 60 OcEANODROMA FURCATA Gmeliu, (Bonap.) — Fork-tailed Petrel — Mr. Lorquin presented a specimen to the State Museum, which he says he shot at San Pedro, Cal. 1 never saw it on our coast, but it was before obtained on the coast of Oregon. Gl Cymochorea homochroa Coues — Black Petrel — Proc. Phila. Acad., Mch., 18G4, 77 — " T/ialassidroma melania Bonap.," Lawrence, P. R. R. Rep., IX, 1858, 830, and Bds. of N. A., plate. Farallone Is., June, 1863, Gruber. There is a possibility that this may be the immature young of Bonaparte's species, obtained off " California" coast by Delattre, and at Cape St. Lucas by Xantus. Baird, Cassin and Lawrence were so certain of their identity as to figure the Farallone specimen as " melania" after comparison with one admitted to be that species by Coues, and the differences the latter indicates are all such as belong to the young. The evident growth of bill, feet, etc., in birds of this ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 11 family, for some time after the wings have become fully fledged, may explain many difficulties in determining the species of the older authors. Procellur/n fuliginosa Vieillot, and perhaps of Latham, may thus prove to be the same as this, described as long since as 1790. Another noticeabje fact in these birds which breed on islands, especially the Gulls, Is that forms so nearly alike as to be distinguished with difficulty, appear to belong to each locality where they are raised, often many luindred niil^s apart, and under quite different conditions of climate and food, no suitable locations occurring between. These various broods all come to pass the winter on our coast, and are called species by modern naturalists, while the old authors would have called them races or local varieties. I have also found differences in size both of birds and their eggs to prevail in specimens of this and other orders from various localities, without any differences of plumage. 62 OcEAXiTES ocEANicA Kuhl, (Coucs) — Wilsou's Stormy Petrel — {Thalas- sidroma Wilsoni, Bonap. and of most authors.) — I saw a bird flying near San Nicolas Is., Cal., in July 1863, which had a white rump like this species, but no specimen has recently been obtained on our coast, though the Museum of the Phila. Acad. Nat. Sc. contains one presented by Dr. Gambel about 1849, as from " California." Dr. Townsend also gives it as an Oregon bird, and Kuhl described it as from near Australia. The species certainly inhabits both oceans. 63*f PuFFixus CREATOPUS Coopcr — Red-footed Puffin — See Coues, Review of Procellaridse in Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, 131. Discovered near San Nicolas Island, in July, 1863, and I have seen them since then near the Farallones in June. 64* PuFFiNus FULiGiNosus Strickland — Sooty Puffin — Found by me with the preceding. Is probably the "P. obscurus " of Nuttall from the "northwest coast," but has not before been proved to inhabit the Pacific ocean. 65 DioMEDEA BRACHYURA Tcmminck — Short-tailed Albatross — An adult specimen in white plumage found dead on the beach at San Diego agrees with the description, except that the tail is proportionately longer than usual either in this or D. nigripes Aud. The following table shows the comparative measure- ments of various specimens. The three young in black plumage were shot by me in San Diego Bay. Specimen. Adult, white, fresh. Young, hiack " . Adult, dry, (Ciissin). D. iiiif ripen " " " dry (Lawrence) " (Coues). D. gihbosa (Gould). Length. Extent. Wing. 35.50 98 21.50 35.75 94 23.50 33 90 21.50 36 93.50 22 28 20 26 19 33 8i 20 19 to 20 30. 21. Tail. 6.50 6 5 5..=;o 6.50 7. Dr. Coues, in his review of the family in the Proc. Phila. Acad., May. 1866, restojres D. nigripes as distinct from brac/tijura, but possibly young of D. gib- bosa of Australia, or of some form unknown in the adult plumage. As above shown, the dimensions when fresh do not differ much, and I am inclined to think 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA that those he indicates in the bill are merely due to immaturity, as I have seen some caught near the Columbia river having the charajcters of the bill distin- guishing D. nigripes, but evidently still growing, the bill soft and flexible, and the quills imperfect. I agree with Peale, (as quoted by Cassin,) that they require several years to become mature, and grow during nearly all that time, the plumage gradually changing, so that those of different ages might pass for dis- tinct species of which the " D. gibbosa " maj be merely.a form. Coues himself is doubtful to which to refer Audubon's type specimen. D. culminata 1 Gould — According to Coues, Audubon's specimen named by him " D. chhrorlnjndia," obtained in 1835 by Dr. Townsend "not far from the Columbia river," is really Gould's Australian species. I believe a skull of one of these has been found on the beach near this city but cannot now verify the fact. Order Steganopodes 66 Tachypetks aquilus LinnfEus, (Vieillot) — Frigate Pelican. A skull obtained by Mr. Gruber at the Farallones is the first evidence of the occur- rence of this bird within our limits oiv so far north. 67 IGraculus Bairdii Cooper — Baird's Cormorant. See Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc. 1864. {=G. violaceus var?) Was obtained by Mr. Gruber at the Farallones and afterwards by myself. Differs from G. violaceus in hav- ing a large white patch on each side of the rump, but I am doubtful whether it is more than the adult of that species, though Prof. Baird is contident of their distinctness. At any rate, young birds of this species have only a few white feathers and are then undistinguishable from violaceus as described by Law- rence, in the P. E. R. Report. Both forms occur together on the Farallones and at Cape Disappointment, where I obtained one of the latter in 1854. The true violaceus of Gmelin may however be distinct and from a more northern region. In that case, Audubon's name resplendens still has priority over Bairdii, being applied to the form without the white patches. The violaceus is said to have a thicker bill, but this may be merely from immaturity, as in Diomedea, etc., in which the bill grows more slender and longer with age. Order Brachypteri. 68 *Cerorhina Suckleyi Cassin— Buckley's Auk. From Cassin's descrip- tion I formerly supposed this to be merely the young of C. monocernta Pall., but have' found dead ones on the beach at Santa Cruz in winter which seem to indicate its distinctness. Others which I obtained at San Diego are also united to this by Coues, though there is still room for doubt as to their identity. The type was from Steilacoom, Washington Territory. 69 *Brachyramphus*iiypoleucus Xantus— White-bellied Auk— See Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc. Nov. 1859. I found this species breeding on Sta. Bar- bara I.rbut rare. The type was from Cape St. Lucas. ^ 70 Brachyramphus marmoratus Gmelin, (Brandt) — Marbled Auk. ^ In January, 1866, I found a dead one on the beach at Santa Cruz, which seems to be near the limit of their migration southward in winter. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 13 Other additions ■previously made. The following birds were also obtained in Ciilifornia before 1859, but are not mentioned in the " Birds of North America," etc., as inhabitants of this State. Nijcfnle Acadica Gmelin, (Bonap.) — Saw-whet Owl. Monterey, Gambel, and found by me at Santa Cruz. Chatura Vauxii Towuseud, (Dekay) — AYestern Chimney Swallow. " Cali- fornia," Delattre, and 1 have shot it in Santa Clara County. Tctrao obscurus Say — Dusky or Blue Grouse. " Bodega," Delattre. Com- mon north of lat. 38° in the coast range, and south to 37° in the Sierra Nevada. [Hepburn.) Centrocercus urophasianus Bonap. (Swains.) — Sage Fowl. Common on the eastern frontiers of California, and I have seen a fine specimen obtained as far south as the Mojave Kiver. Macroramphus scolopaceus Say, (Lawrence) — Long-billed Snipe — San Fran- cisco, Slimpson, Fort Tejon, Xantus ; Santa Barbara in May, a fine speci- men in adult plumage, shot by myself. 'Abundant on the Los Angeles Plains in winter, (none of M. griseus). Histrionicus torquatus Linn. (Bonap) — Harlequin Duck. " Bodega " Delattre, " San Francisco," Stimpson. Hi/drodielidon fissipes Linn. (Gray) — Blackbellied Tern. Given by Dr. Hecr- man as a Californian bird under the name of "Sterna nigra," though he appar- ently furnished no specimens for the authors of the " Birds of North America," . etc. Is the " H. plumbea" of my former list, and I have ascertained that they migrate abundantly along the interior valleys in spring and fall. Several are mentioned by Coues as merely " observed " in California along the Colorado River, but there is reason to doubt the identity of the species. They are : Cerijle Americana Gmel. (sp.) — Green Kingfisher. Phalaropus Wilsonii Bonap. — Wilson's Phalarope. Chracocephalus atricilla Linn, (sp.) — Hooded Tern. C. Franklinii Rich. — Franklin's Tern. Sterna Antillarum Lesson — Least Tern. Podiceps cornutus Latham — Horned Grebe. Mr. Theodore A. Blake read the followino; : Notes On Alaska. Like other continental coasts in high latitudes, north and south, this is bordered by high mountain ranges, and presents a most intricate and rugged shore, though grander than some others cited. This is mainly due to the mighty erosive action of glaciers, the formation of which- is the natural result of atmos- pherffc humidity and low mean annual temperature, due not only to geographical position, but to high elevation. The published, and glaringly inaccurate, 14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA charts of the northwest coast, north of Vancouver Island, fail to give an ade- quate idea of the vast archipelago of islands and network of channels with which the whole coast of British Columbia, and that of the lower and eastern part of Alaska, below 59^, are fringed. The Straits of Fuca are the southern point of this complex system of labyrinthine channels, which afford peculiar facilities for inland navigation. After describing graphically the bold and picturesque shore lines of this region, and of Washington Territory, with its snow peaks rising from 8,000 to 11,000 feet above the sea, Mt. Baker being the highest, and mentioning the mild climate of Victoria, which shows a mean annual tem- perature of 50° and about 200 fair days, Mr. Blake sketched the appearance of the coast further north. Reaching Sitka Island, he described it as a mass of unexplored rugged mountains, many of which are capped with eternal snow. The town (a good drawing of which he exhibited) is situated at the head of Sitka Bay, the entrance to which is marked by the symmetrical volcanic cone of Edgecomb, the second of a series of volcanic peaks bordering the coast and . culminating in Mounts Fairweather and St. Elias, the heights of which are variously stated. The latter is visible in clear weather at a distance of 150 miles. The rock in the vicinity of Sitka is a hard grit, sometimes coarse, often passing into digillite. The trend of this formation seems to be parallel to that of the coast. It extends as far south as "the deep sea," a remarkable fresh water lake, twelve miles southwest of Sitka, on the opposite side of which syenetic granite occurs. Limestone, highly crystalline, is found north and within a few miles of the town. The vegetation and general appearance of the coast is very similar to that southward, though the beautiful Sitka spruce, which is remark- able for its grace, and the mathematical regularity with which its branches grow from the central stem, replaces the Douglas spruce of lower latitudes. Trees grow to large size, many being seen from six to ten feet in diameter. Little was known of the geology of the country. It is only along the shores that the rock can be investigated. The roughness of the country, and the thick growth of timber, and masses of fallen and decaying trees covered with thick moss, always saturated with water, almost preclude geological investigation. Mr. Blake said he had yet to learn of a man, white or Indian, who had crossed from one side of Sitka Island to the other, a distance of not over twenty miles in some places. Russian meteorological observations show, as a roean of twelve years, the mean temperature to be about 42o, the extremes being very small. The same ob- servations show a mean annual rain fall of 83.3 inches, the maximum being 105 inches. Along Chatham Straits, east of Sitka, the rocks are metamorphic, stratified mica schist, standing almost vertically, and showing a parallelism in their trend to the line of the coast and of upheaval. Glaciers are common along the inland waters north and back of Sitka Island. Three of these sweep grandly from the mountain gorges and rush to the water's edge, generally termin- ating in a low crescent-shaped Mat, formed by the wash from their terminal moraines. In Icy Straits, north of Sitka Island, the ice from them falls into the sea, and so great is the accumulation as to render navigation dangerous. In latitude 59°, along Chatham Straits, every marked depression has its glacier of greater or less extent. These glaciers are to be seen at points as far south ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 15 as the mouth of the Stickeen river, and the lowest known limit on the coast is about latitude 54° in British Columbia, east oiF Port Simpson. At the head of the Peninsula of Alaska is the commencement of another great line of volcanic action, which extends to the southwest, forming the penin- sula, and then curving to the westerly the long chain of Aleutian Islands, stretching far towards the Kamschatka line, stepping stones, as they have been aptly called, between the two continents. The rocks on the Island of Kodiak, east of the peninsula, metamorphic slates and sandstones, also show a general parallelism in their trend to that of their line of upheaval, trending N. E. and S. W. instead of N. W. and S. E., as on the coast of the mainland. During the time spent by the recent expedition at Captain's Bay, Island of Ounalaska, Mr. Blake, Dr. Kellogg, and two of the officers of the Lincoln, made the ascent of Makuskin, an active volcano on the northern end of the island. The height was determined approximately at 5,600 feet, that of the snow-line at 3,168 feet, that of no vegetation at 2,500 feet, except the "red snow," which occurred at from 4,000 to 4,500 feet. An incipient glacier curves gracefully around a gorge on the east flank of the mountain. This island is marked by the entire absence of trees,' though the hills are covered with a thick growth of grass. It is apparently almost wholly made up of volcanic rocks. Perhaps the most remarkable view of volcanic cones and peaks, snow-covered and rising from the gea, to be found in the known world, is that of Unimak Island, with its volcanic peaks of Shihaldin and Pogroumaja, both conical peaks of unbroken symmetry, rising to heights of between 9,000 and 10,000 feet. Between them is Destruction Peak, comparatively low and irregular in its outline, showing it to be a volcano in its early stage of development. In 1863 its eruption caused the loss of many lives, and hence its name. The mountains are entirely snow- coveredj and between them are vast fields of snow. Only in limited areas along the shore is snow absent. The angles of slope vary from 30° to 35°. Mr. Blake confirmed the previous statements as to the meao-re knowleds'e of Alaska mineralogy. Good coal and paying quantities of gold are yet to be discovered. Copper abounds on the dangerous Copper River, and magnetic iron ore and galena are reported. Fossils of the carboniferous age occur at Cape Beaufort on the Arctic coast; of the Jurassic period on the east coast of the peninsula ; tertiary fossils on Kodiak Island, and several other points. Prof. Whitney read an interesting paper on the method pursued by the Geological Survey in the naming of mountain peaks in Cahfornia. Dr. Kellogg presented one hundred models of crystalline forms, a gift to the Academy from Mr. Moore, late of Virginia City. He also exhibited specimens' of Siberian plants, interesting from their connection with the botany of our Northern Territory, with Avhich they meet and mingle. Among the most marked spe- cies were forms of Rhododendron, from Ounalaska ; of Campanula, 16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA and Linnea borealis; besides a new species of the gooseberry family, combining in its fruit the quahties of the. gooseberry and currant. Regular Meeting, February 3d, 1868. President in the Chair. Thirty-five members present. Mr. George Lette, P. Huerne, Ottakar Hoffman, Chas. Beseler and Dr. Justus Fuchs Avere elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : A wild duck's gizzard containing food, gravel and grains of gold mixed, said to have been found so when opened. A specimen of the Pulu Fern, by Dr. Lansweert. Prof. Whitney exhibited and described some maps now being constructed by the Geological Survey. Dr. Kellogg exhibited the stem of the Panax horridum of Alaska, allied to the Ginseng. Regular Meeting, February 17th, 1868. President in the Chair. Dr. Thos. M. Logan, Rev. A. Williams, R. B. Swain and Wm. Hayes were elected resident members. Donations to the Library : " Index to Vols. 1 to 11 of Observa- tions" on the genus Unio, etc., by Isaac Lea, L.L.D.," from the author. Dr. Parry of the Southern Pacific R. R. Expeditions gave by I'equest "an account of some of the natural features and produc- tions of the route near Lat. 35°. Mr. Clarence King, chief of the Survey along the Central Pacific R. R. route, gave some interesting information on that region. ACADEMY OF SCIEN^CES. 17 Regular Meeting, March 2d, 1868. Col. Ransom in the Chair. Nathan Porter, Emile Sutter and H. D. A. SchieiSer were elected resident members. Prof. Bolander delivered an interesting address concerning the value of botan- ical gardens. He did not consider the youth of our State and city sufficient excuse for the failure hitherto to do something for experimental agriculture. He instanced what has been done in this direction at Melbourne, Australia, where a public botanical garden is in successful operation which embraces an area of three hundred and thirty-eight acres, and contains a great variety of forest trees, among which are no less than 10,000 conifers. The experimental ground contains various kinds of cotton, arrow-root, ginger, tobacco, coffee, tea, grass-cloth, and many other useful plants. Foreign and indigenous grasses, hedge plants, and such as are suitable for edgings, are subjected to experiment to test their value. The seeds of no less than one hundred and scventj^ grasses have been harvested in the garden and distributed. Of 40,000 stone pines raised at one time, and 7,000 Deodar cedars at another, all were distributed to the public except a few for the use of the Department. A great variety and number of seeds and plants are annually distributed. No less than two hund- red and nine institutions have been supplied during the past planting season. All vegetable products, whether commercially, medicinally, or technologically important, are eagerly collected and experimented upon. Besides its work in introducing new plants, the ]SIelbourne institution has published many valuable reports, four publications having issued in the past year. The herbarium com- prises about 28G.000 specimens of Australian and extra-Australian plants. More than three hundred genera, either not indicated before or specifically not elucidated, have, been for the first time introduced into the systematic vegetation of that part of the globe. Ninetj'-five of these represent generic types new to science. The phytochemical department of the institution has experimented with a great variety of vegetable products to test their value as new sources for the employment of labor and capital, and the utilization of districts now barren. These experiments have shown that fibers for paper-making, volatile oils, tar, acids and potash, may be profitably produced from many native trees and plants. The report gives facts which show that some portions of the less secluded ranges of Australia, having singular facilities for irrigation, will yield olives, vines, oranges, and an almost endless variety of other fruits. Considerable discussion followed concerning the utility of plants that have been or may be introduced in California. Gregory Yale offered a resolution for the appointment of a com- mitee to prepare a succinct recommendation for the continuance by Teoc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 2 >'ov. 18B8. 18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA the Legislature of the Geological Survey. The resolution was adopted after a brief discussion by a unanimous vote. A very strong feeling was manifested in favor of the survey, and of the retention of Prof. Whitney at its head, as necessary for the mate- rial interests, the culture, and the good name of the State, no less than for the general interests of science. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee under the resolution : Gregory Yale, R. E. C. Stearns, Dr. A. B. Stout, Dr. H. Gibbons, and John A. Veatch. Regular Meeting, March 16th, 1868. . President Whitney in the Chair. The committee appointed at the last meeting presented the fol- lowing resolutions, which were adopted : Resolved, As the sense of the members of the Academy, that the State Geological vSurvey should be continued and completed, as an imperative neces- sity demanded by the material interests of the State, and by the cause of edu- cation and science, and as a just exposition of the sentiments of the people of the State. Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of the committee be signed by them, and by the presiding officer and secretary of the meeting of the second instant, and forwarded to the delegation of the City and County of San Fran- cisco, to be presented to the Legislature for its action. Gregory Tale, Robt. E. C. Stkakns. H. Gibbons, John A. Veatch, Arthur B. Stout, Committee. Leander Ransom, President pro tern. Theodore Bradley, Rec. Secretary. The President read a communication from J. W. Foster, of Chi- cago, giving an interesting account of a stone implement received there recently from California. The material is syenite, very much like the Quincy granite, symmetrical in shape, not quite circular on the cross section, ground and polished so as to exhibit in mai'ked contrast the pure white of the feldspar and the deep green or black of the hornblende. The blunt end is pierced with a hole, whose outer edges are rimmed out, so that it looks very much like a plum- met. It was found in digging a well, thirty feet below the surface, ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 19 on or near the premises of Lafayette Nealy, in the town of Wood- bridge, San Joaquin County, about eleven miles from Stockton. After the reading of this communication, which was accompanied by a drawing of the object, considera1)le discussion ensued relative tp similar objects known to have been found in this State, and to the habits of the Digger tribes, who seem to -have advanced no farther than the stone age. In connection with inquiries on the early records of the human race in this State, Professor Whitney stated that he was preparing a paper giving new light on the famous Calaveras skull. He also exhibited a fossil sent to the Geological Survey by Roger S. Day ; a rare species of ammonite, apparently, found in a hill-top in the mines seven miles east of Folsom, and interesting for the additional evidence it presents of the secondary age of the California gold formation. Acknowledgments of the receipt of the xicademy's 3Iemoirs were received from the Smithsonian Institution and other scientific sources, and the letters contained high praises of the matter and typographical execution of the Memoirs. Donation to the Museum: Prof. Bolander presented to the Academy a large collection of ferns and grasses, in number about 1,500, of which one hundred and thirty-five are Californian ; also, many fi'om the East, Europe, Australia and Chili, fully identified. Dr. Kellogg stated this collection could not be gathered de novo for less than $2,000. The thanks of the Academy were voted to the donor, and a subscription of forty or fifty dollars taken up to pro- cure a case for its proper care and disposal. Regular Meeting, April 6th, 1868. Dr. J. Blake, Vice President, in the Chair. Messrs. H. S. Craven, A. J. Bowie, and H. Crittenden were elected resident members. Col. E. Jewett was elected a corre- sponding member. Donations to the Museum: Mr. Clayton called attention to some specimens of a new genus of coral taken from the Silver Peak 20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Basin, in Nevada.* One of the rocks contained a new trilobite, or at least, one the description of which he could not find in the books. He proceeded to describe the formation of the country in which these fossils were found. He then presented a specimen of salt rock, taken from the same locality, and stated it as his opinion that the origin of the salt found in Nevada was not, as was commonly supposed, oceanic, but was to be found in saline rocks. Dr. Ayres called attention to a very beautiful specimen of the sponge family, donated by Mr. W. G. Sherman, together with some Indian weapons, all being from the Phillippine Islands. Sponges were found in all seas, from the Arctic to the Tropical, and were in abundance on the coasts of New England and California. This one belonged to a genus first discovered on the coast of Great Britain. It was known as " Venus' Flower Basket," (^Euplee- tella speciosa) and was a most beautiful specimen, consisting of a series of little straight rods, forming a tube. This tube was woven all over with fine threads, looking more like the work of man's hands than of nature. Each little thread resembled spun glass, but when placed under the microscope, evei-y one was found to com- prise a series of concentric layers. Outside of these were a num- ber of httle ridges, to give it strength. At the bottom w^as a mass of loose flocculent fibres, and it was probable that these were imbed- ded in the ooze or mud of the ocean where the animal dwelt. A committee of five, consisting of Messrs. Stout, Logan, Yale, Ayres and Stearns, was appointed, on motion of Dr. Stout, to draw up a report on the subject of the abrupt discontinuance of the Geological Survey. Regular Meeting, April 20th, 1868. The President in the Chair. The committee on the discontinuance of the Geological Survey made a report strongly condemning it, which was accepted by the Academy. * Ethmophyllum gracih and E. W/iitiuyi; Meek, in Ainer. Jour. Science and Arts, Jan. 1868. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 21 Donations to the Cabinet : Indian relics from graves near the Presidio at Mazatlan, Mexico, large barnacles from Callao, and crystals of salt from Carmen I.; presented by Dr. Geo. Woods, Asst. Surgeon, U. S. N., through Dr. H. Gibbons, Jr. Prof. Whitney presented his resignation as President, on account of departure for the East. Regular Meeting, May 4th, 1868. Dr. Blake, Vice President, in the Chair. About thirty members present. The following gentlemen were elected resident members : Dr. C. T. Deane, Joseph Paxson, Gen. J. J. Miller, A. Roman, Theodore Mudge, John B. Felton, Dr. I. Bluxome, Thos. A. Barry, Dr. R. B. Cole, Calvin BroTvn, F. M. Pixley, H. L. Davis, Julius Band- mann, Thos. M. Cash, John Hucks, J. F. Lohse, J. W. Willard, Benj. A. Patten, Justin P. Moore, August Emory, A. Harpen- ding. Dr. James Blake was elected President in place of Prof. Whit- ney, resigned. Mr. Stearns presented his resignation in consequence of his approaching departure for the East. Donations to the Cabinet : A seahorse {Hijypocampus ingens') and a centipede from Mexico, both presented by Mr. C. A. East- man through Dr. H. Gibbons. A large piece of wax from the Clatsop beach near Columbia River, supposed to be from an ancient Japanese or Spanish wreck ; presented by Capt. C. M. Scam- mon. Donations to the Library : A Japanese work with illustrations of the native fislies ; presented by Mr. Joseph Tilden through Dr. Gibbons. Mr. R. D'Heureuse read a paper on the "proper use of air with reference to industry and medicine." 22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA « Regular Meeting, May 18th, 1868. President, Dr. Blake, in the Chair. Dr. J. G. Cooper was elected Vice President. * Donation to the Cabinet : Specimens of an insect found only on a species of pine at Monterey, by E. VV. Burr. Referred to Dr. Behr for examination. A discussion ensued on parasitic insects. Dr. Kellogg presented specimens of the Holly-leaved Cherry ( Cerasus ilicifolia) and also of the Choke Cherry ( C. Virginiana) both from near this city. He remarked that the Indian name of the former was Islais, and had given name to a creek near the city. It was stated that cattle eat the leaves when fresh, with im- ])unity, but die if they eat them when wilted, from the production of hydrocyanic acid in the leaves after cutting off a branch. Regular Meeting, June 1st, 1868. President in the Chair. The committee appointed to make arrangements for a course of lectures, reported the following : Lecture to be delivered by Dr. James Blake, on the third jNIonday in June ; by Dr. Henry Gib- bons, on the first Monday in July ; by Dr. Cooper, on the third Monday in July ; by Mr. L. Falkenau, on the first Monday in August ; by Prof. Bolander, on the third jNIonday in August ; by H. G. Bloomer, on the first Monday in September ; by Theodore Bradley, on the third Monday in September. Milton S. Latham, Frederick Townsend, Dr. B. D. Dean and Dr. W. A. Grover were elected members of the Academy. A resolution formally reported from the Council, for reduction of Life Membership fee to one hundred dollars, was adopted as an amendment to the Constitution. Mr. H. G. Bloomer was elected Director of the Museum. Donations to the Cabinet : Sponge from the Caroline Islands, by H. C. Dunn. Specimens of Astacus Troivhrldgii Stp., from the ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 23 Columbia River, by Capt. Scammon, through Dr. Cooper. Wood bored by the Teredo, from Panama an^ from San Francisco Bay, by Gregory Yale ; also, ornamental shell work. Further business was suspended in order to hear an address by Mr. R. W. Raymond, U. S. Commissioner of Mining Statistics, upon the relations of the Government to the mineral lands and min- ing interests of the country. Regular Meeting, June loth, 1868. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : A nest of a species of Oriole from Central America, by Captain Blethen, and a .Japanese zoophyte, from Dr. I. Rowell, both through Dr. Stout. Mr. L. Falkenau read a paper entitled " The Part we should take in furthering the Mining Interests of the Pacific Coast." Adjourned Meeting, June 22nd, 1868. President in the Chair. Eighteen Members present. Dr. Victor Fourgeaud was elected a resident member. The fifth and last number of Vol. Ill of the Proceedings of the Academy was laid on the table for distribution. Mr. Bradley presented his resignation as Recording Secretary, from want of time to attend to the duties of the ofiice. Donations to the Cabinet : A jar of Crustacea from Victoria, V. I., by Capt. Phoenix, through Dr. Blake. A specimen of Met- amorphic Rock, by G. Yale. Donations to the Library : " British Ferns, popularly described and illustrated, by G. W. Johnson," 1 vol., 12mo, London, 1857 ; ' " Conchological Manual, by G. B. Sowerby," 1 vol., 8vo., and " British Museum Catalogue of Ichneumonidie," 1 vol., 8vo., pre- sented by Mr. Stretch. 24 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Adjourned JV^eeting, June 29th, 1868. President in the Chair. Twenty members present. Messrs. H. T. Livermore, James Peering, J. S. PhilHps, E. R. Howes, and Dr. R. H. Macdonald, were elected resident members. Ehsha Brooks was elected Recording Secretary. Donations to the Cabinet : A Skull found in Arizona was pre- sented by Dr. Gibbons on behalf of Dr. P. W. Randall. The skull was obtained from a grave near extensive rnins at the junction of the Salt and Gila Rivers. The ruins are quadrangidar in form, and are estimated to cover an area of three hundred by two hundred and fifty feet. When the grave was opened, the lower section of an '' ojo," or earthen water jug, was found inverted over the skull. It seems to have served the purpose of preserving it, for the rest of the skeleton was so decayed as to render it almost impossible* to trace it. Dr. Randall states that the skull bears no resemblance to those of any of the Indian tribes in that region, and he is of the opinion that it is several centuries old. The Indians who examined it said that it was not of their tribes, but was a " Montezuma," though their opinion in the matter is of little value. • Dr. Kellogg presented a fine specimen of the long spike, or fruit stem of the celebrated grass tree, (^Xantliorrhea hastiUs) from Hon. George Hobler, of Alameda. The aborigines of Tasmania beat off the heads of these singular trees or plants, by striking them with a pole near the top of the trunks. They then strip ofi" the outer leaves, etc., leaving about an inch and a half of white, tender, milky portion, next the trunk. This is eaten raw, or roasted, and has a nutty, balsamic flavor. The fibers of the leaves are ex- ceedingly strong, but have failed in rope making, as they refuse to remain twisted like flax, etc. The President then stated that this meeting was called for the special purpose of considering the advisability of accepting a block of land offered by the Paul Tract Homestead Association, on the condition that the Academy expend $15,000 in putting up a build- ing or otherwise improving the same. After considerable discussion, it was voted inexpedient to accept the proposed donation. The ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 25 land was considered to be too far out of the citj to be of any value to the Academy for the purpose proposed. The Secretary Avas instructed to address a letter to the Association, thanking them for their liberal offer, but declining to accept it for the reasons stated. Regular Meeting, July 6th, 1868. President in the Chair. Twenty-live members present. G. A. Tread well was elected a resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : Rock perforated by boring shells, and fossils from Santa Cruz, by Mr. Yale ; A Cabinet of Ores from the interior of Mexico, by Mr. Harpending ; Crabs, found floating in great numbers forty or fifty miles from land, and supposed to be a new species, by Dr. Willard ; A Scorpion from Santa Cruz County, by Mr. Bosqui. Donations to the Library : " Patent Office Reports for 1866,'* 3 vols. 8vo., and " Congressional Globe," from Senator Conness, 1 vol. 4to. ; " Bulletin de la Soc. Imp. des Nat. de Moscow, 1867,'* 2 vols. 8vo., from the Society. Dr. Blake read an interesting paper on the " Chemistry of Digestion.". Dr. Ayres reported on the Sponge from Japan, presented June 15th, that it is a species of Hyalonema. Under the microscope it appears jointed, and is parasitic, growing on another species of sponge at the bottom of the sea. Both this and the Eaplectellay presented April 6th, are very rare and valuable specimens. Regular Meeting, July 20th, 1868. President in the Chair. Twenty-two members present. Wm. J. Shaw and E. J. Schellhouse were elected resident members. 26 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Donations to the Library: Proc. Essex Inst., Salem, Mass., Yol. 5, No. 7, July, 1868 ; Condition, etc., of Bost. Soc. N. II., •8vo. pamph., 1867 ; Ann des Sciences Nat., Vol. VIII, Nos. 5 and 6, 1867 ; Beitrag zu einer Monog. der Sciarinen, von Joh. Win- iiertz, Wien, 1867, 8vo. ; Verhandl. des naturhist. Vercins, etc., Bonn, 1867, 8vo. ; Oversigt. Videnskab Selskabs, Kjobenhavn, Nos. 4 and 5, 1867, 2 parts, 8vo. ; Verhandl. naturforsch, Vereins, V Band, Brunn, 1867, 8vo. ; Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., sheets 2, 3, 4 and 5, for May, 1868. Donation to the Cabinet: A Metamorphic Rock, from Santa Cruz Mountains, by Mr. Yale. Dr. Cooper gave a lecture on the Edible Mollusca of this State, illustrated by the specimens in the Academy's Cabinet. Regular Meeting, August 3d, 1868. President in the Chair. Sixteen members present. L. L. Treadwell was elected a hfe member. A. L. Wolf and A. Warren were elected resident members. Donations to the Library : Verhandl. der k. k. Geolog. Reichs- Anstalt, Wien, 1867 and 8, 2 vols. 8vo. ; der Physik-okon. Gesell. Koningsburg, 1867 ; Osterreich Gesell. fur Meteorologie, Wien, 1867 ; Transactions of the Chicago Acad. Sc, Vol. I, part 1, 4to., 1867, through the Smithsonian Institution. The President stated that the Council had thought it best to appoint Dr. Kellogg special assistant to the Secretaries and Treas- urer, Avith a small salary, to be raised by subscription. Donations to the Cabinet : An Octopus, found near Fort Point, by Mr. Lorquin. Fossil pine cones, from lignite beds near the Ocean House, by S. A. White. Dr. Gibbons gave a lecture on Microscopic Parasites, illustrated by magnified drawings. ACADEMY. OF SCIEXCES. 27 Regular Meeting, August 17th, 18G8, President in the Chair. Fifteen members present. Mr. J. Silver, C. L. Houghton, and H. S. Crane were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet: Black Oxide of Manganese, from Calaveras County, by Dr. Gibbons; A Herbarium of eastern Medi- cinal Plants, by Dr. McCormick, U. S. A. The thanks of the Society were voted to Dr. McCormick for his valuable donation. Donations to the Library: The Northwest Boundary, a Geo- graphical Memoir of the Islands in dispute, by Hon. Archibald Campbell, U. S. Commissioner, 8vo. Wash. 18G8, from W. P. Blake. Physical Geography of the Kansas Pacific Railway. Annuaire de la Societe des Sc. Nat. de Neuchatel. Notes- on parts of South Devon and Cornwall. Amer. Jour, of Sc. and Arts for July, 1868. Journal Roy. Horticul. Soc. of Lond., II, 5, 1868, 8vo. Annual of Bost. Soc. N. H. for 1868-9, 8vo. Mr. Bolander then de'livered a lecture on the Flora and Agri- cultural resources of the country around Eureka, Humboldt Bay. Regular Meeting, September 7th, 1868. Col. Ransom in the Chair. Seventeen members present. Dr. Lorenzo Hubbard was elected resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : Seed of the " Guinea Palm," from New Mexico, by Dr. H. Gibbons. He stated that fie Teredo never attacks the logs of this tree, and it might therefore be used for piles in this city. A Collection of Plants, from New Caledonia, by Prof. Meissner, of Basle, through Dr. Kellogg. A Collection of Plants, by Rene Le Normand, of Vire, France. The thanks of the Academy were voted for these valuable col- lections. 28 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA Donations to the Library : Sitz, Bericht. der Naturwiss Gesell. Isis, Dresden, 1865-66. Kon. Norske Universit., Christiana ; Zocil. Garten, Frankfort a M., from the various societies through the Smithsonian Institution. Mr. Bradley exhil)ited a stone image of an eagle nearly two feet high, found by Mr. Victor, on the shore of the Willamette River, two miles above St. Helen's, Oregon, where it was imbedded in clay, covered by eight feet of alluvium. There were also faint traces of ancient ruins near by, with parts of pavement and bones. The image resembles the work of the Aztecs more than of any present race of Indians. Mr. Yale introduced Capt. E. G. Fast, who has been for nine months making collections in Alaska of Indian antiquities, implements of war, hunting, fishing, etc., illustrating the territory and present condition of the country. He is now about to take them to Wash- ington, D. C. Mr. Bloomer then dehvered a lecture on Classification. Regular Meeting, September 21st, 1868. President in the Chair. Twelve members present. Mr. E. N. Baynton, J. M. Buffington and M. Andrews Avere elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : A Crab, from Alaska, by Capt. E. Moody. " Pele's Hair " a variety of obsidian from Mauna Loa, S. I., by Dr. Logan. Donations to the Library : Meteorology and Hypsometry, by Col. R. M. WiUiamson, U. S. Eng. Corps, from the author. A manuscript catalogue of the library prepared by the Recording Secretary, Mr. E. Brooks. The thanks of the Society were voted for these valuable works. The President, Dr. Blake, made some remarks on the peculiar state of the atmosphere which has prevailed for several days. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 29 Viewed from Martinez, the sun presented a pale pink color, spotted with puce-colored patches, and varying to violet as the density of the mist varied. A discussion ensued as to the cause of the hazi- ness. It was generally conceded that the obscuration could not have proceeded from the burning of forests in Oregon or in Marin County, although several interesting facts were cited tending to establish that origin, as the sun, viewed through smoke alone, assumes a red color. The more favorite opinion seemed to attribute the phenomena to the existence of saline or silicious matter floating in the atmosphere. The dryness of the air had probably absorbed the moisture from the fog, leaving the saline particles suspended, as particles of ice frequently are, by which the sun's rays were acted upon. This condition of " dry fog" is common in northern Europe, where similar appearances are observed. The following was also quoted in explanation : A correspondent of the Sacramento Union, writing from Owens Lalie, gives an interesting account of a succession of eartlujuakes that took place in that region, among the mountains, on the 13th, 14th and loth of September. The shocks were severe enough to rattle down rocks from the mountains into the valleys, and to excite great alarm among the few inhabitants. They were counted, too, by the score. About the same time there was an earthquake in Alpine county which was quite severe, showing that the commotion must have extended over hundreds of miles. The air- soon after became darkened by the unnatural haze or smoke, which a day or two later made its appearance all over the State, from San Francisco to Nevada, and even as far east as the Hum- boldt desert. The past year has been the most remarkable for earthquake and volcanic phenomena ever experienced by man. Dr. Stout oifered to the inspection of the Society the dissected parts of a specimen of octopus, or cuttle-fish, for Avhich he was indebted to Mr. Aztredo, of this city. He alluded to the terrific but exaggerated description of this animal in the " Toilers of the Sea," by Victor Hugo, who, although considered to be a naturalist, had evidently never viewed the animal he described, and never properly understood the beauty of its physical construcMon. The Doctor exhibited a number of large and beautiful illustrations of the animal, and proceeded to explain its position in the family of the octopidse. While treating of the inaccuracies and misconcep- tions of the nature of the animal by Victor Hugo, he fully confirmed that author's estimate of the deadly power of the devil-fish, and remarked that the specimen which he was now exhibiting could 30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA easily seize upon and destroy a swimming man with whom he might come in contact. The Doctor gave a long and interesting descrip- tion of the animal, which measured eleven feet between the tips of the arms. ]Mr. White described a similar specimen, caught some years since at Victoria, Vancouver's Island, the arms of which were as thick as a man's leg, and fourteen feet in length, which would make it about thirtj'- feet between the tips of the arms. Regular Meeting, October 5th, 1868. President in the Chair. Fourteen members present. Mr. W. H. Dall, who had just arrived from Alaska, being pres- ent, the regular proceedings of the Academy were postponed in order to listen to an account of his explorations in that country. Mr. Dall has resided there during the last two years, and has been engaged in studying the geography, geology, climatology, natural history and ethnology of the country ; he and his companion were the first white men that ever penetrated some of the interior regions. The Academy is indebted to the Miyiing and Scientific Press for the following report of Mr. Dall's remarks, and also for the wood-cut illustrating them : 'Vo distinguish this far northwestern coantry from Sitka — a thousand miles nearer to us and on the southern side of the mountains formins: the back bone of Alaska — it is named, after the great river which flows through it, the You- kon Territory. The line of explorations carried on was, especially from the mouth of the Youkon to the junction of that river with the Porcupine ; the coast from its mouth to seventy-five miles north of St. Michael's and thence to the Youkon, a(yoss a portage of perhaps seventy-five miles, more or less, in length. Algp, as careful an examination as possible was made of the various sloughs or divis- ions of the river itself; particularly one, a slough of fifty miles in length, called the Shageluk Slough. GEOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. In an article on the geography of Youkon Territory it is first necessary to correct a few very old and flagrant errors. 1st. In most atlases we find a large river, named the Colville, emptying into the Arctic Ocean. This is an error. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 31 ■^"^^ W S It is an insii'iiificaiit stream of no lewjiih worth mentioning. 2J. The coast between Cape Romanzoffand the head of Norton Sound is laid down with gross errors, and is utterly unreliable even in the best charts. 3d. The Esquimaux name of one small mouth of the Youkon Delta is Kwichpak. This name is erroneously applied to the whole river, on which for a thousand miles the In- dians call themselves the Youkonikatana, or " Men of the Youkon." 4th. The general course of the river, when laid down at all, is much too far to the south and west, except near the mouth. The junction of the Porcupine and Youkon is near the boundary line, a little north of the Arctic Circle. There is one large river which has been confounded with the Youkon, emptying into the Youkon half way between the English Fort and the Russian Fort, called by the natives the Tanana, or River of MQuntains. It is usually supposed, and so represented on maps, that the Rocky Mountains extend to the Arctic Sea ; but this is erroneous, for the mountains end at about the headwaters of Porcupine River, and a level plain or disconnected hills make up the remainder of the landscape northward. 32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA FORTS. The Russians have posts at the head of Bristol Bay ; at Xulato, St. Michael's, AndreafS-ky, and the Mission ; also one at Unalakleet, and a solitary house at the mouth of the river. There are no more in the Youkon Territory. The Hudson Bay Company has one post at the mouth of the Porcupine River, some fifty miles west of the boundary, which is called Fort Youkon. MOUNTAINS AND TOPOGRAPHY. There are no high mountains north of the backbone of the Peninsula — the range which almost skirts the southern coast — except a short, isolated chain, containing some seven peaks, which is visible in a northwesterly direction from Fort Youkon, trending in the saifte general direction. These are the only mountains in Youkon Territory ihat have snow upon them throughout the summer. There are two isolated mountains noted as landmarks on the Youkon River ; one of them is just above Nulato, and is called by the Russians Koyoukuk Sopka, or " YoIcano-likQ Mountains ;" it is not very high — about 5,000 feet — but a marked feature nevertheless in going up the river; and the other is as great a landmark for the Lower Youkon as that just named is for the Upper, being situated at the lower bend and called the Kusillvak " Gora," or Moun- tain ; it is about 6,.500 feet in height. The rest of the mountains are mere hills that cannot be distinguished from one another. The country in general cannot be called either marshy or mountainous ; it is a mixture of marsh and low, rolling, rocky hills, covered with moss and with very little earth, except in the valleys, which are always very wet in summer ; and it is wet then even on the tops of the mountains. Leading characteristics of the country are, that it is wet and foggy. VEGETATION. On the coasts there is scarcely any trace of vegetation whatever. As the traveler advances inland, particularly along the small rivers and up the valley of the Youkon, he soon comes to a very densely wooded country. The trees are of medium size, and are white spruce, willow, poplar, and birch, preponder- ating in the order named ; the diameter ranging from eight inches to two and a half feet, a very common average being one and a half feet. A strip of about one hundred miles only, along the coast is bare. Grasses grow in the interior in great profusion and to a luxuriant height.- Vegetables cannot be raised, except turnips, radishes and lettuce. Potatoes grow to about the size of a pea. At Fort Youkon they live on moose meat, chiefly. Flowers are not abundant, and are quite scentless. This is the land of berries, for here in profusion grow the cranberry, raspberry, heathberry, salmonberry, currant, etc., and a species of wild cherry is found, but it is simply a seed without a pulp. ANIMALS. Along the coast the principal animal is the reindeer, which frequents the hilly country, but at certain seasons descends into the plains. The moose fre- quent the low country in the interior, and are never found in the mountains. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 33 On going up the Toukon they are nqt found until after passing the great bend at Nulato. Towards the mountains eastward from Fort Youkon, the mountain goat is found ; besides which there are found throughout the Territory the black, red and brown bear ; the black, red, gray, blue and white fox ; the mink, otter, martin, muskrat, Arctic hare and Arctic rabbit. Ermine are scarce. Esquimaux dogs, are used to draw sleds. BIRDS. ' Aquatic fowl are common on the coast, and some of them go up the rivers, marking different zones. In spring there is always a great accession of water fowl. The land birds are chiefly summer birds, but there are some species that remain during the winter, as the pine grosbeak, the red-poll, woodpeckers and crows. There are three kinds of grouse, the black, white and gray, and vari- ous hawks, which remain in the winter. Ducks and geese are innumerable along the Alaskan Coast, but they are never seen flying northward of the main land. Butterflies are very plentiful, and many of the species found in the Atlantic States are common. A VAST AREA OF AZOIC ROCKS. With the exception of the coast south of the great snowy range, and a basin of which the Koyoukuk Mountain may be called the center, the entire Territory of Alaska is azoic; the rocks exhibiting no fossils, — being chiefly crystalline schists coptaining a great deal of quartz. Granite is a very rare rock. It was observed only in one place, at the mouth of the Tanana, and there it contained mica, which was the only mica found in the country. The snowy mountains near the Arctic Ocean are probably azoic, as the streams coming down from that direction into the Toukon were well searched for pebbles, and nothing but the crystalline azoic rocks could be discovered. Volcanic rocks take a pretty important position in the geology of Alaska, the great snowy ridge being itself a volcanic outburst, and having numerous craters and volcanoes that are active and constantly smoking. The line of vol- canic action extends out into the Pacific, forming the middle or backbone of the peninsula of Alaska, and the Aleutian chain of islands ; being a link in the great circle of volcanic activity which Humboldt traced around the entire con- fines of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the northerly islands, or at least their foundations, are composed of true volcanic lava, as is also the coast between the Youkon and along Norton Sound. In many places it assumes a rude columnar form, resembling the rocks of the Giant's Causeway in Ireland, as at the beach near Fort St .Michael. The islands of St. Paul's and St. George's in Behring's Sea are composed, of amygdaloid lava which separates into six-sided columns of a basaltic character, but having the appearance of being very much crooked. They have frequent earthquakes in that country. Though nothing has been reported quite so terrible as the memorable convulsions of St. Thomas, the waters in the southern harbor of Ounga Island became excited in the midst of an earthquake on the fifteenth of May last, and suddenly diminished from a depth of twenty-four feet to four feet, in part of the harbor; the bottom re- maining at the latter position permanently. Perhaps owing to similar causes, Peoc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 3 Jan., 1869. 34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA the Isanotsky Pass in the Aleutian Island^ whicli was heretofore marked in the charts as navigable, is now impassable, the schooner Francis L. Steel having been nearly wrecked on the sand-bars in attempting the passage on her voyage up to Behring's Straits. CARBONIFEROUS FORMATION. After leaving the lava country near the mouth of the Toukon, the traveler, on going to the northward, soon enters a large basin, showing blue sandstone strata, probably belonging to the lower carboniferous era. The rocks contain fine vegetable fossils apparently related most nearly to that era. Above the carboniferous sandstone, and overlying it, there is a formation, the original strata of which have been denuded and replaced by some tertiary strata con- taining lignite or fossilized wood, but not in quantities to be of any economical value. The rocks that were denuded belonged probably to the upper carbon- iferous series, as in going up the Toukon there is a point found just below the Koyoukuk Mountain where they are observed in position, and where they con- tain true bituminous coal. A small vein of it crops out near Nulato, the greater part of which, however, has likewise been denuded. At Clantilinten, one hund- red and fifty miles below Nulato, on the Toukon, there is another small seam of coal, discernible in the blue sandstone. TERTIARY FORMATION. South of the Alaska volcanic ridge of mountains, extending eastward so far as known from observations, to Cook's Inlet, and westward so far as to include part of the coast and Kodiak, Ounga, Ounalaska, and possibly other islands of the Aleutian group, there are fossiliferous strata containing lignite, the geolog- ical age of which is not yet determined with certainty — but it is probably Eocene Tertiary. At all of the places named, coal has been reported. There has been some " blowing " about valuable deposits, which is scarcely warranted by the true facts. At Coal Harbor, Ounga Island, which was surveyed by Mr. Dall, the coal was carefully examined, and additional information was acquired from the Russians, all of which tended to prove the known deposits as but poor in quality, and deficient in quantity. THE POST PLIOCENE AGE. All over the Azoic country to the north of the peninsula of Alaska, and the principal ridge of mountains, there are scattered post Pliocene fossils. In swamps and bogs, and alluvial deposits, there are frequent relics of the masto- don, the extinct hairy elephant, the musk ox, etc.; and in some places there are strata of post Pliocene marl containing fossil fresh-water shells, as at Fort Tou- kon particularly. These animals continued to exist down to the end of post Pliocene times, since which the contour and level of the country have not mate- rially changed. The waters of the Tanana, or River of Mountains, had never before been dis- turbed by the paddles of a white man, and away in the interior was a small stream which the Indians would never approach on account of a superstition concerning it. If they should shoot arrows at a certain hill there, the arrows would disappear in tlie air, and great evils would come upon them. Into this ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. * 35 country Mr. Dall ventured, not having the fear of the Indian gods before his eyes, and found great numbers of fossils. So abundant were they that it seemed as if some commotion or convulsion had driven the animals there — the mastodon, elephant, deer, musk ox — and suddenly destroyed them. So many huge bones may have frightened the Indians and given rise to their supersti- tions. GOLD AND OTHER MINERALS. Gold has been found at the mouth of the Porcupine or Rat River, the branch which comes in from the north at Fort Youkon. It is fine scaly gold, like iron filings, but there is scarcely a color to the pan. The country is accessible only for three months in the year, during which time, however, the mosquitoes will extend a demonstrative welcome to sweet-blooded adventurers. Stains of cop- per were observed in the rocks near Cape Prince of Wales, on Behring's Straits. Micaceous iron ore, magnetic oxide of iron, and hematite, are found all over the country, and are made use of by the Indians for paints. Obsidian, pumice- stone, and a mineral which might be lazulite, are also found. On St. George's Sound, Behring's Sea, the ruby, or light-red spinel, has been found nicely crys- tallized in a form similar to the diamond, which it approaches in hardness. ETHNOLOGY. The coast tribes of Indians on all of the coasts from Sitka to Mackenzie River, come under the general name of Esquimaux, though they are not by any means like the Esquimaux Indians of the eastern side of the continent and the shores of the Hudson Bay. They are tall, fine, athletic people, very intelligent, and superior to the genuine American Indians of the interior. They are inge- nious in the use of the knife, and in making things. Any northwestern Esqui- maux will draw from recollection a good map of the country that he may have traveled over. Though they belong to the same general race as the little east- ern Esquimaux, having words that are the same, they are evidently later com- ers. The language and appearance of the Esquimaux Indians are almost exactly the same on the American side of Behring's Straits as they are on the Asiatic side. When they meet they can converse and understand each other j^erfectly. In Asia they go under the name of Tchuktchis. On the American side they are known under different names ; at Grantley Harbor as Kaviaks ; towards the interior as Mahlemuts ; around the mouth of the Youkon and Norton Sound as Unaleets ; further to the south as Aleuts. The Kaviaks and Mahlemuts go up annually to the north coast as far as Point Hope, and Point Barrow, and beyond, fishing, etc. They are fond of traveling, and seem to go with the intention of having a fine time, just as the New Yorkers go to Saratoga or the White Mountains. They cannot go through the country, on account of the interior Indians, and therefore go around. The Indians of the interior of Alaska are the true race of native American Indians. They call themselves the Youkonikatana or " men of the Youkon," and have the same general appearance and characteristics as other American Indians. They are fine looking, and many of theni tall ; have aquiline noses, whereas the coast Indians have flat noses. They are wilder and more warlike than the coast Indians ; they wear great bushy heads of hair (inhabited and 36- ' PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA unattractive), while the coast Indians have a fashion of cutting off a portion of the top hair, so as to resemble the monastic tonsure. They cannot understand each other ; and as the interior Indians seem to own the most difficult language, the result is that they frequently acquire the coast dialect to some extent, or a kind of trading jargon which serves for international communications. They are not friendly to each other, but do not fight much. They are all dying out of asthma and lung complaints, caused by tobacco, which they get from the Russians, and the fumes of which are drawn incessantly into the lungs. It does not appear that the interior, or true American Indians, have any relationship whatever to tribes in Asia. The coast and interior Indians build houses alike, the latter having borrowed their ideas from the coast, if they have any houses at all. Winter houses are half underground, and covered with earth, having a hole in the roof. Fire is made about twice a day. They get into their houses by an underground pas- sage ten or fifteen feet long, on their hands and knees, the exit being vertical like a ground-hog's hole, and framed over to keep out the snow. Communistic principles are in vogue as to dwellings, and general property. Both the coast and interior Indians are honest, and do not steal nor murder except where they have been supplied with whiskey by the traders. He has compiled a vocabulary of the language of the various tribes, by which he is enabled to deduce some interesting facts regarding their history. He has also visited Kamtschatka and the islands of the vicinity, and from the similar- ity in language and customs of the coast tribes of Alaska to those of Kamt- schatka, he concludes that they are recent immigrants from Asia, and indeed, that they are still coming over. They carry on quite an extensive commerce across Behring's Straits in skins, frames for boats, hunting and fishing equipments, etc. The Asiatic immigrants, however, are confined to a few leagues of country along the coast and large rivers, while a totally different people inhabit the inte- rior. The boundary line l)etween these two races is very marked, and encroach- ments on each other's territory are never tolerated. If a hunter passes the line in the chase and kills any game, he can take the carcase away, but must leave the skin at the nearest village. They are as strict as the Jews in preserving purity of blood, for they never intermarry. CLIMATE. In summer the thermometer rises to eighty degrees, and in winter ranges from thirty-five to forty-five degrees below zero. The last season was the coldest known for eighteen years. The Aurora Borealis was often seen, and Mr. Dall says it appears as if caused by some substance borne along in the air which reflects the light. The Esqui- maux will never look at it, for they believe it is supernatural, and fear it. They say also that it affects the eyes. After a careful study of the question of an open Polar Sea, Mr. Dall is firmly convinced that it does not exist. He believes that an unbroken sea of ice stretches over from America, past the North Pole, to Asia. Evidences in support of the open sea theory failed to present them- selves to his observation. In the Youkon region, no traces of glaciers were discovered, and it is believed none ever existed north of the Alaska backbone. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 37 South of that, along the entire coast, the deep inlets and fiords, resembling the Norwegian fiords, are supposed to have been caused by glacial action, as there is always a glacier at the upper end of them. Two feet beneath the surface there is eternal ice. Explanation of Map.— «, Kwichpak Kiver; &, Norton Sound; 1, St. Michaol's Isl- and; 2, Grantley Harbor; 3, Plover Bay; 4, Behring's Strait; 5, Kotelkargiit llivcr; 6, Nulato; 7, Nuklukahye and junction of Tanana Kivcr; 8, Ft. Youkon ; 9, liussian Mission; 10, Andreoffsky ; 11, Colville River; 12, Shageluk Slougli; 13, Kollmakoflfeky Keduubt on the Kuskoquin Rivor and portage to the Mission ; 14, Capo Itomanzoff; 15, Mt. St. Elias; 16, Nushergak Lake and Chulitnia River; 17, Koyoukuk Mountain; 18, Kusillvak Mountain; 19, Country of the Malilcmuts; 20, Cook's Inlet; 21, Kodiak Island; 22, Ft. Hope; 24. Car- boniferous formation ; 25, A'olcanic ; 26, Tertiary ; 27, Azoic. The thanks of the Academy were voted to Mr. Dall for his very interesting address. Regular Meeting, October 19th, 1868. President in the Chair. Nine members present. Mr. Bradley dehvered a lecture on the " Value of the Study of Science in its Historical Relations," and illustrated some scientific principles by experiments with hydrostatic apparatus. Regular Meeting, November 2d, 1868. President in the Chair. Twelve members present. Mr. Amos Bowman was elected a resident member. The President stated that Mr. Falkenau was unable to deliver the lecture appointed for this evening. He then gave some account of his observations on the eifects of the earthquake of October 21st, at various places around the bay, and promised a fuller description at some future meeting. A gen- eral discussion ensued on the subject of earthquakes, which occupied the rest of the evqiiing. Regular Meeting, November 16th, 1868. President in the Chair. * Nineteen members present. 38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Donations to the Cabinet : A fossil bone taken from a well at a depth of twenty-six feet, also teeth resembling those of the elk from a depth of twenty feet, five miles south of Antioch and two miles from the coal mines near Mount Diablo, presented by W. C S. Smith, of Napa, through Dr. H. Gibbons. A fine cast of a large shell in asphaltum, found in a lump brought from Santa Barbara, and resembling Priene Oregonensis, by Mr. S. D. Symonds. Quick- sand thrown out of a fissure made by the recent earthquake at Hayward, Alameda County, by G. Yale. Mr. Louis Falkenau gave a lecture on Analytical Chemistry, illustrated by experiments. A discussion on the recent earthquake followed prehminary to some future and full reports on the subject. Regular Meeting, December 7th, 1868. Vice-President in the Chair. Eighteen members present. Emile Grisar and J. J. Owens were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet: Two species of Trilohites of silurian age, one from Silver Peak, the other from near " White Pine," fifty miles southeast of Egan Canon, Nevada, by J. E. Clayton. Two specimens of insects, resembling the genus 3Iantis, from La Paz, by Oscar White. Some luminous larvse, resembhng that of an Plater, found in gardens in this city, by Mr. Lorquin. Specimens of the fibrous stems of 3Ialva rotundifoUa, showing their great strength ; also of cord made from it, by W. Frank Stewart, of San Jose, through Mr. Bowman. Donations to the Library : Flore et Pomone de Java, par Ma- dame Bertha Hoola Van Hooten, deux. ed. folio, finely illustrated Avith colored plates, Bruxelles, 1865, by J. B. Caldbeck. Mr. Clayton read the following paper : Earthquakes on Kern River, in the Central Portion of the Sierra Nevada. • BY J. E. CLAYTON, M. E. In October last I was at Independence, in Owens Valley, and had a conver- sation with Dr. A. Farnsworth, in relation to the earthquakes that occurred on the head-waters of Kern River, in the early part of September last. The ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 39 doctor is a man of intelligence and fullj' competent to give the facts in a relia- ble manner. The following are the main facts taken from his notes, made at the time the phenomenon was observed. On Monday, August 31st, Dr. A. Farnsworth, David Webb and Mr. Alex- ander left Independence for Kern River, on a fishing excursion. Taking the Hacket trail, some six miles southwest of Lone Pine, they ascended the Sierra at a point opposite, and west of Owens Lake (the trail leading westward to Visalia). After crossing the summit they struck the northern branches of Kern River, and followed them down the western slope to where they formed a strong, rapid stream, at which point they crossed on a natural bridge, made by a stream of lava that appears to have issued from near the summit and run down a distance of several miles. The waters subsequently cut a channel under- neath the lava, and left it arching above as a natural bridge. (The doctor does not state how high the bridge is above the water, its width, or the length of span ; but as the stream is small, the bridge is probably not very remarkable in height or extent.) The party reached the ford of the main branch of Kern River on the even- ing of September 2d, and camped in the narrow valley by the river bank. Dr. Farnsworth describes the gorge of the main river as being grand and imposing in the extreme ; the mountains on either side rising in bold cliffs and steep slopes several thousand feet above the river-bed. On the third of September another party of seven persons, from Lone Pine, joined them, and they all moved up the river about one mile above the crossing and camped. During the night the party were frequently awakened by a " rumbling noise " and a tremulous motion of the earth. Next day (Septem- ber 4th), the morning meal had just been completed, when at eight o'clock, precisely, the earth was shaken terribly. The tall trees swayed, and even the grass was observed to wave back and forth. Immense masses of boulders and earth were detached from the surrounding clifTs, and came thundering down to the narrow flat along the river. Consternation filled the minds of the whole party, principally from fear of the boulders and loose earth that came down the steep sides of the mountain, for being completely hemmed in on each side, they had no place of safety to flee to. Fortunately the principal land slide came down on the side of the river opposite to the camp, so that by close watching and active dodging, the whole party escaped unhurt. From eight to nine o'clock, forty-one distinct shocks were felt, some of which were quite severe, but nothing like the first one. The party gathered up their camp equipage as soon as possible and moved down the river a short distance, where a wide flat would give them more protection from the loose stones of the mountain sides. During the reniffinder of the day the shocks continued, at intervals of five to ten minutes, and during the night the party were kept awake by the frequent shocks and rumbling noise. Light shocks continued until the morning of the sixth of September, when the party concluded to move to a less disturbed locality. As before stated, the first shocks felt on Thursday evening, the third of September, were light but distinct. The heavy crash was at eight 40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA o'clock on the mornins;: of tlie fourth, and up to Sunday morning, the sixth, at nine o'clock, there had been in all about five hundred shocks felt. The party divided on Sunday (September 6th), and a portion moved a few miles to the north branch of the river, where they remained six days. They state that the shocks continued to be felt one or two every hour up to the time they left the neighborhood, on the eleventh of September. Another party, composed of citizens of Owens Valley, went to the same locality, arriving there on the seventeenth of September, and remained in the neighborhood, hunting and fishing, until the twenty-eighth of the same month. The first three days after their arrival, which were the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth, the shocks occurred about one every hour. The next three days the shocks were much more frequent and severe ; then their frequency and violence abated again, but continued at intervals of an hour or so up to the time they left on the twenty-eighth of September. The vibrations all appeared to be in southeast and northwest directions, and the tremblings were almost invariably preceded by a rumbling noise. The country rock, where the earthquakes occurred on Kern Kiver is granite, with occasional dikes of trap and volcanic fissures from which a dark-brown and black lava has been ejected. Having never been at the locality myself, I cannot give any facts from my own observation, but from my knowledge of the gentleman who gave me the foregoing facts, I have no doubt of their general correctness. [See note on earthquakes, p. 29.] A discussion ensued on the various theoretical opinions as to the igneous, chemical, and magnetic causes of earthquakes. Regular Meeting, December 21st, 18G8. President in the Chair. Eleven members present. Donations to the Library : Smithsonian Contributions to Knowl- edge, Vol. XIV., 4to. American Naturalist for October; Amer. Jour. Science and Arts, November. Mr. Lorquin stated that a male and female of the Chinese Man- darin Duck (^Aix galericulatd), recently shot in the bay, had been brought to him to be stuffed. Dr. Cooper remarked, that as this bird is often imported in cages, they had probably escaped from confinement. Dr. Blake exhibited a map, showing the direction of the shocks of the earthquake of October 21st, as determined' east of the bay, and remarked that they all .tended towards a center near Hay- ward. Investigations on the subject are still in progress. '-it;-!' academy of sciences. 41 Annual Meeting, January 4th, 1869. President in the Chair. Twenty members present. The President read his annual report, giving the progress of the Academy during the past year. The Treasurer reported that the receipts for the past year had been $1,760, the expenditures |1,636, leaving a balance of $124. The present indebtedness is $440. The Librarian reported that the Library had been increased during the year by the donation of thirty volumes, of which the titles and contributors are published in the records of each meeting. Also the following periodicals had been regularly received for the last three years, and were still continued, having been subscribed for at first by a club of the members and since 1867 by the Academy : Magazixks. — English — Quar. Jour, of Science; Ann. and Mag. of Xat. Hist. ; The Student ; Athenfcum ; Popular Science Rev. ; Qnar. Jour, of Geo- log. Soc. Newspapers. — Civ. Eng. and Arcliitect; Scientific American; Amer. Jour, of Mining ; The (Englisli) Mining Jour. ; Chemical News. French — Ann. des Sciences Nat. ; Ann. du Genie Civil ; Ann. des Mines ; Re- vue Univers. des Mines ; Journ. de Conchyl. (German — Jahrbuch der Min- eralogie ; Petermann's Geog. Mittheil ; Berg-und-Hiitten. Zeitung. The following are received regularly by exchange, besides the proceedings of thirty foreign societies, etc., coming chiefly through the Smithsonian Inst., and recorded by name in previous years: Amer. Jour. Science and Arts; Amer. Naturalist; Mining and Scieu-tific Press ; Proceedings of Acad. Nat. Sci. of Phiiad. ; of Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. ; of N. Y. Lye. Nat. Hist. ; Chicago Acad. Sciences ; St. Louis Acad. Sciences ; Essex Inst , Salem, Mass. ; Amer. Acad. Arts and Sciences. The Director "of the Museum reported that the great deficiency of room for the rapidly increasing collections was the chief obstacle to making a better display. The annual election of officers was then held, with the following result : Proc. Cat,. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 1 xCklCyl /"^ ^^^' '*™' 42 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA PRKSIDENT. Dr. JAMES BLAKE. TICK PREglDKNT. Dr. J. G. COOPER. CORRESPOSDISG SECRETARY. LEO ELOESSER. RECORDING SECRETARY. THEO. A. MUDGE. TREASURER. ELISHA BROOKS. LIBRARIAN. Dr. a. KELLOGG. DIRECTOR OF MUSEUM. H. G. BLOOMER. Prof. J. D. Whitney was unanimously elected an honorary member. G. W. Dunn, elected a corresponding member, was, at his own request, placed on the list of resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : An Ammonite from Shasta County, found by the donor, Capt. Feshet, in the bed of a creek. Rattles of a snake eight feet long, and containing thirty rings, from Arizona, presented by Dr. P. W. Randle through Dr. Gibbons. Donations to the Library : Expose des Formations Quaternaries de la Suede, par A. Erdmann, Stockholm, 1868, text 8vo. and Atlas 4to. Proces-verbal van de Gemoner vergad., 1866-7, Jaar- boek, 1866-7, Verslag. en Mededeel., 1866, der Koningk. Akad. von Wetenschap. Amsterdam. Archives du Mus^e Teyler, vol. 1, 1866-8, large 8vo. Path of the total Phase of the Solar Eclipse of August 17th-18th, 1868, from Aden to Torres' Straits. Report of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, vol. 5, parts 1-3, 8vo. Four Geological Maps and descriptive pamphlets relating to Swe- den. Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London, witfi anniversary address. Catalogue of Birds of Costa Rica, by G. N. Lawrence, 8vo. pamph., N. Y., 1868. The West India Cyclone, of October, 1867, by Prof. J. R. Eastman, U. S. N., 8vo. pamph.. Wash., 1868, from the various societies and authors. London Quarterly Review, July, 1868, from G. Yale. Col. Williamson, U. S. Eng. Corps, exhibited a stone, apparently agate, containing a large drop of water. It was found at the bot- tom of the Willamette River, Oregon, by dredging. academy of sciences. 43 Regular Meeting, January 18th, 869. Pi'esident in the Chair. Fourteen members present. W. Frank Stewart, of San Jose, and Prof. George Davidson, Chief of the U. S. Coast Survey for the Pacific Coast, were elected members. Donations to the Cabinet : Fossils from the carboniferous forma- tion of Treasure Hill, White Pine District, found in strata dipping 20 degrees toward the west, presented by Dr. Blake. Specimens of a fungus incorporating acorns in its growth, found near Martinez, by Mr. Mathewson. Donations to the Library : Catalogue of Terrestrial Shells in the collection of Wm. A. Haines, para. 8vo., N. Y., 1868. Observa- tions on Genus Unio, etc.. Vol. XI, by Isaac Lea, L.L.D., Philad., 1868, 1 vol. 4to., from the authors. Smithsonian Annual Report for 1867 ; Annual of National Academy of Sciences, Wash., pam. 8vo.,1868; from the societies or publishers. Regular Meeting, February 1st, 1869. Col. Ransom in the Chair. Twenty members present. Max Waizman -was elected a resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : Petrified wood from the " Kansas Gravel " mine near Grass Valley, by T. A. Mudge. Armor made of wood by the natives of Alaska before its occupation by the Russians, by G. ."Yale. Donations to the Library : Manufacturer and Builder for Janu- ary, 1869, pam. 4to., from publishers. Contributions to the Fauna of the Gulf Stream, by Count L. F. de Pourtales, Assistant U. S. Coast Survey, Cambridge, Mass., 1867, pam. 8vo., from the author. Mr. H, G. Hanks read an interesting paper on the mineral resources of Owens River and adjacent districts, exhibiting some 4-1 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA rich specimens, forming a collection of two or three hundred. Mr. Hanks had explored the Montgomery, Blind Springs, Keyes, Inyo, Russ, Kearsarge, Coso, Alabama, Telescope, Slate Range, Argus, Salt Spring, Washington, and other districts, whence many valuable specimens were obtained. Some of these were labeled as assaying equal to the White Pine ores. The article referred more especially to the Inyo District, Death Valley, and particularly to the " Gun Sight" lead, the first silver found in California of which any record exists. He stated that an immigrant party in 1849 came in and reported having seen fabulously rich silver mines on their way, and brought in specimens of pure silver. In 1850, Dr. French, at the head of a party went out to search for it, but unsuccessfully, and it has existed in story ever since. The finest specimens exhibited by Mr. Hanks were of argentiferous galena, tetrahedrite, kerargyrite, stromeyerite, and molybdate of lead. There was also a large and rich specimen of partzite, from the "Blind Springs" District. Some of the ores from the Mont- gomery District, at the northern end of Owens Valley show an abun- dance of free silver. Dr. Gibbons made an interesting statement in relation to the swelling and shrinking of adobe land under the influence of rain and drouth, its effect upon buildings, and observed that cracks in walls thus caused were often erroneously attributed to earthquakes. Regular Meeting, February 15th, 1869. Vice-President in the Chair. Twenty members present. J. W. Hobson, J. J. Stevenson, M.D., and Smythe Clark were elected resident members. Donations to the Library: Transactions of Albany Inst., Vol. 5, 1868, 8vo. ; Smithsonian Miscell. Coll., vols. 6 and 7, Wash., 1868, 8vo. ; Jour. fur. Meteorologie, Nos. 13 to 17, 8vo. ; Zoolog. Miscellen., No. 9, pam. 8vo. ; Abhandl. der Zoolog. Mineralog. Vereins, Regensburg, 1860 and 1864, 2 vols., 8vo. ; ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 45 Nachricht. von der Kon. Gesell. tier AVissenschaft, unci der Georg. Augusts. Univers. Gottingen, 1866, 1 v. 8vo., from the socie- ties, etc. ; Contribuzione della Fauna dei Mollusche Dalmatie, per Spiridione Brusina, Vienna, 1866, pam. 8vo. ; Nachtrage zar Flora von Nieder Oesterreich, von Dr. A. Neilrich, Wien, 1867 ; from the authors, mostly through the Smithsonian Institution. Donations to the Cabinet : Specimens of fossils contained in cal- careous sandstone from the sea beach, by Mr. Yale ; fossils from a coal mine in Mount Diablo, by Capt. John Eckley ; and a fpiantity of alcohol for preserving specimens, by James Dows & Co. Dr. A. Kellogg presented specimens of the fruit, foliage, and timber of the Canon Live Oak (^Quercus cJiri/solepis) of the coast of California, procured by George W. Dunn, a member of the Academy. This oak, he said, was by some confounded with Q. Wislize?ii, specimens of which were presented for comparison. The timber is remarkable for its solidity, strength, toughness, and dura- bility, only equaled by our southeastern live oak (^Quer'ciis virens). He remarked that his attention was many years ago directed to its use in ship frames, knees, etc., by Captain Morgan, of Baulines Bay. It was a " burning shame," in his view of it, to have such valuable timber shipped to San Francisco for firewood, out of sheer ignorance of its value. This species must not be confounded with the ordinary live oak, Quercus agrifolia, of Oakland, Alameda, and the suburbs of San Francisco. Dr. Kellogg also read descriptions of a Turritis, and of a species of ^s^^r, supposed to be new. Regular Meeting, March 1st, 1869. President in the Chair. Fifteen members present. Dr. George Hewston, Dr. A. Aaronstein, J. F. Breed, and 0. W. Easton were elected resident members. Donations to the Library : White's Nat. Hist, of Selborne, 1 vol., 8vo. ; Half Hours with the Microscope, 1 vol., 8\^o., by J. Hoogs ; Elements of Entomology, by G. W. Dallas, 1 vol. 8vo. ; 46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Catalogue of British Hjmenoptera, by F. Smith, M.E.S., 1 vol., 8vo., from R. H. Stretch. Catalogues of the School of Mines of Columbia College, N. Y., for 1868-9, 2 pams., 8vo. ; Queries on the Red Sandstone of Vermont, etc., by Rev. J. B. Perry ; Ann. Rep. of Trustees of Mus. Comp. Zool. of Cambridge, Mass., 1867 and 1868, from the authors, etc. The subject of a committee on Meteorology was introduced by the President, having been proposed at the last meeting. Dr. Henry Gibbons stated that no part of the world occupied a position analogous to California, as we had three climates — one in Southern California, near Mexico, one in the Northern portion of the State adjacent to Oregon, and one in San Francisco. It was seldom that so long a mountain range was found parallel to the meridian line. The telegraph, he thought, could be made useful in San Francisco as an indicator of storms. He spoke of an occasion when he was at the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, where daily or hourly reports of the weather are received from all parts of the Atlantic States. On that occasion he sat down with Prof. Henry before a large relief globe and located the storms as they were reported. In this way they traced a storm as it was approaching, hundreds of miles away, until it finally burst upon the city. He said that had he been placed five hundred miles above the earth, looking down upon the atmosphere, he could not have obtained a better view of it than he did on that occasion. The phenomenon of storms was a most interesting one, particularly here, where the prosperity of the whole State depended on rains. An almost certain prognostic of rain was the occurrence of three hot days in succession. We had just experienced three hot days, and the rain he expected Avould soon be here. Three hot days always followed a Norther, and rain followed the three hot days. At his request the appointment of a committee was postponed. Donations to the Cabinet : Specimens of meat that fell " from the sky " at San Jose recently were presented by Dr. Kellogg. He gave an account of the fall of meat over twenty acres of ground, as learned from an observer, Mr. Houck, and said he was informed that nerves, muscle, and bone were found, some imbedded in the soil, belonging to either small animals or fish. This meat was al- leged to have fallen about 3 o'clock p.m., when the sky was clear, ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 47 and to have struck persons upon the shoulder. Reports were read from persons at San Jos6, in which it was stated that flesh, brains, blood, and bones were scattered over an area of twenty acres. The samples of the flesh introduced had a fishy smell. Much discussion ensued, the general opinion being that the frag- ments found had been disgorged by flocks of vultures flying so high in the air as to be almost invisible. The bones found were in too large pieces to have been carried up by whirlwinds, Avhich it was suggested might transport small animals. Mr. Beardsley said that a case occurred at Gold Hill, Nev., in 1862, when a whirlwind took up 4,000 feet of lumber and tore it to shreds. A specimen resembling coke, strikingly like anthracite, being a residuum of petroleum from Downersville Foundry, at Corey, Penn- sylvania, was presented by A. F. Beardsley. A specimen of the Dendrocygna fidva, or long-legged duck, recently arrived from Mexico, and found in our market, was exhibited by Mr. Carlton ; and another, obtained in December, by Mr. Lorquin. A letter was read from W. F. Stewart describing a remarkable magnetic storm observed near San Jose, on February 23d, as follows : '•A very remarkuble disturbance occurred as Mr. A. S. Hermann was sur- veying, the weather being dry and the sky cloudless, with a liglit breeze from the north. The needle suddenly began to revolve from west to east alternately, and continued to do so until the thumb check was applied, after which the per- turbation ceased." Dr. Blake stated that Avhen making observations on the recent earthquake, he had seen the needle dip far more in San Ramon Valley, near Mt. Diablo, than near this bay. Regular Meeting, March 15th, 1869. President in the Chair. Donation to the Cabinet : Copper pyrites from an artesian well now being bored on Commercial Street, found at a depth of two hundred and eight feet ; by G. Yale. Donations to the Library : Synopsis of the birds of Vancouver's 48 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA Island, bj R. BroAvne, pamplilet, Lond., 1868. Observations on the Miocene beds of Greenland, by saroe, pamphlet, 8vo. Remarks on two flints from Jubbulpore, India, by G. Haswell. " Newly dis- covered Universal Science ; " pamphlet, 4to. ; and, The Sanctity of Marriage, with other poems, by VV, E. F. Krause, from the authors. Dr. Kellogg read a letter from W. Frank Stewart of San Jose, on the recent shower of meat at that place, confirming the theory that it was disgorged by vultures, as he had frequently known them to drop it upon himself and horse when riding below, and had seen flocks disgorge it when rising, after stuffing themselves on dead cat- tle. In this climate the fresh appearance of the muscles is retained long after death. Mr. Yale announced the discovery of a nearly entire skeleton of a mastodon, near Petaluma. The President mentioned that a slight shock of earthquake oc- curred on the 11th instant, at 10 p. m., preceded for some minutes by a rumbling sound ; and also observed at San Jos6. Regular Meeting, April Stii, 1869. President in the Chair. Dr. W. F. McNutt was elected a resident member. Donation to the Cabinet : A stalagmite, from a canon in Mt. Diablo range near San Jose, by W. F. Stewart, through Dr. Kel- logg. A letter accompanied it stating that some years since a tun- nel w^as run into the hill in search of coal without success, and re- cently this stalagmite was found in the tunnel, which was near a re- markable soda spring. Donations to the Library : A package of stereoscopic views of Indian inscriptions on the rocks near Cisco, on the Central Pacific Railroad line, six thousand feet above the sea, from Charles Crocker, Superintendent. The thanks of the Academy were voted for this valuable donation. Also, the Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, Vol. 3, Nos. 1 to 4, 8vo., Montreal, 1866 ; Proc. Portland Acad. Nat. Hist., Vol. I, part 2, 1869; Memoirs of Peabody Acad. Science, Vol. I, No. 1, Salem, Mass., March, 1869, 1 vol. 4to ; ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 49 Address of L. P. Smith before Alumni of Ilaverford Coll., Philad., pam. 8vo, 1869, from the societies and publishers. Catalogue of Reptiles and Batrachians found near Springfield, Mass., by J. A. Allen, from the author ; 1 vol. 8vo. Professor George Davidson described his operations for the de- termination of longitude bj telegraph. The former mode was by chronometers carried to different points ; also bj eclipses or the moon's declinations. After repeated experiments, Mr. Davidson made the circuit between San Francisco and Cambridge, Massachu- setts, and back, in eighty-two hundreths of a second, the distance being seven thousand two hundred miles. The calculations of former moon determinations were found to have been nearly correct by the electric observations, the difference being only one second — equal to a quarter of a mile of longitude. The exact difference in time was found to be three hours and twenty-five minutes. Regular Meeting, April 19th, 1869. President in the Chair. L. A. Gould of Santa Clara, and Capt. Edward Pinnor, were elected resident members. Donation to the Cabinet : Saline incrustations from Mono Lake, by T. A. Mudge. Donations to the Library : Bulletin of Essex Listitute for 1869, 1 vol. 8vo. ; Trans, of Edinburg Geol. Society, 2 vols., 8vo., 1868 ; from the publishers. Catalogue of the Meteoi'ites of Yale College Museum, pam., 8vo., 1868; Address of the President of Peabody Institute, Baltimore, Feb., 1869, pam., 8vo. Dr. A. Kellogg exhibited and remarked upon several new and beautiful plants discovered by him near the mouth of the San Joaquin River. A letter from W. F. Stewart on " sun dogs" as seen in San Jose caused a discussion on this phenomenon, as to whether it is from refraction as usually believed, or magnetic influence as Mr. Stewart suggested. 50 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA On the subject of the photographs of Indian mscriptions lately presented, Mr. Hanks stated that he had seen similar ones along Kern River painted in two colors. Dr. Blake had seen such near Salt Lake, which he thought had been cut in the rocks, presenting the forms of circles, stars, etc. ; also broken pottery, of which the present race of Indians there know nothing. Regular Meeting, May 3rd, 1869. President in the Chair. Rev. Siegfried Simon, Hermann Simon, and Eugene Arnstein, "were elected resident members. Donations to the Library : Catalogue of Califoi-nia Minerals, Sacto., 1868, 8vo. ; Gen'l Notes on Stickeen River Country, pam., 8vo. ; Reports on the Precious JNIetals, etc., in the Paris Exposi- tion ; by W. P. Blake, Commissioner from State of California ; Bulletin of U. S. Sanitary Coram., 1860 to ^65, Washington, 3 vols, large 8vo. ; from the authors. Mr. H. P. Carlton read the following paper : Shells of Antioch, Cal., and Vicinity. BY H. P. CARLTON. The following list of land and fresh-water niollusca is interesting, as coming from a locality which has furnished the largest number, so far as known, from any one place in the State. Part of them were collected by myself; but many were sent to me by Miss Ward, a teacher at the locality, and formerly a pupil of mine. These were collected by her scholars. Antioch is situated at the junction of the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers, on the south bank ; and Miss ^Vard's school is eight miles east of the town, in Iron District, on the bank of a slough connected with the San Joaquin. Her collection was the first received, and contained the largest number of spe- cies. The Rev. J. Rowell next olitained three of the same species, and five more at Eden District, on Marsh's ranch, in a creek of the same name, four miles southeast of Iron District. Mr. G. W. Dunn found one ut Antioch not in former lists. Numbers 5, 6, 13, 22, 25, and 26, are new additions to the shell-fauna of California. The whole country near the streams is " tule" land, inundated in winter. It ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 51 is easy to see that the living shells, or their eggs, brought down by the great rivers converging here, are likely to be caught by the rank growth of these gigantic rushes, especially as the water must be much checked in rapidity of flow by the meeting rivers, and by the sudden bend, at a right angle, toward the west. Thus, they are compelled to remain, but probably many of them do not increase in this region, as it is hundreds of miles distant from the points where most of them were discovered, or have been before found. West of Antioch the marshes seem to become rapidly too brackish for their existence ; and none live in those around Benicia— while Walnut Creek, empty- ing nearly opposite there, is known to produce but ten species, of which three are distinct from those of this list. It is possible that some of those obtained from a duck's stomach do not live in the immediate neighborhood of Antioch. 1. Succinea Oregonensis Lea, rare. 2. S. Sillimani Bland. More common, (Rwl.) 3. Arianta ramentosa GUI. Eight living on edge of marsh, large but thin, approaching var. reticulata Pf. in form, (Ewl.) 4. Aplodon Columbianus Lea, common, a thin, smooth variety. 5. Limnea stagnalis Linn. Rare, but large and strong, living. 6. L. lepida GUI. Rare, but exactly agrees, except rather darker in color than types. A miniature of stagnalis, and may, perhaps, be only a dwarfed race. 7. L. humilis Say. Common, and nearly imperforate, probably the var. called ferrnginea by Haldemann, (Rwl.) 8. L. Nuttaliana Lea. Common, very large and fine, apparently quite dif- ferent from elodes Say {palustris 31ull. ?). 9. L. Tryoniana Lea. Rare and perhaps only a var. of Traskii Tryon, (Rwl.) 10. L. desidiosa Saij. Common, and seem identical with Eastern types, but usually more sculptured with revolving grooves, (Rwl.) 11. Physa diaphana Tryon. Common, living in all the creeks running from near Mt. Diablo. 12. P. distinguenda Tryon. Rare, but large and perfect. 13. P. Carltonii Lea, (Proc. Phil. Acad. Sc, 18G9). Described as new from these specimens, and not found elsewhere. Approaches nearest to osculans Hald., of Mexico, plicata Dekay, of New York, and nitens Phil, of Mexico, {Bidinus nitens W. G. Biuney). Though very lustrous, the animal proves it to be a Physa. 14. Planorbis subcrenatus Cpr. .Common and of good size. 15. P. lumens Cpr. Rare, but easily recognized. 16. Helisonia amnion Gld. A few young specimens, not easily distinguish- able from the last. 17. H. tenuis? P/ 77 < Pi San Nic- olas I. San Cle- mente I. Sta. Bar- bara I. Sta. Cat- alina I. « M O o £ i ?* < O O O O CD a> .sooaiou^o) o wooao * * * * * C3 cc ^3 O O C3 a ^ C3 ^ a> u is a o tJ * . * * o c3 -X -fi r- ****,.** s^.* O "^ -^ ^ S o -^ ^ ^ O o o '^ ':r -^ hJ O ^ ta fi !^ o o J a « ft 00 s^'-H S^ -2 ? ^ ^ o tl E^ ;^ ^ s; c^tq ^ 2 fe I'" S s. ^ C^f^ I— i(?5COTJ<>OcCi>OOOJO -^ -r. ►sa 1^ P c S _ - ■«j -*j -fej 1 !> ' 13 OJ OJ O hIh is p - 6«5 .J O ^1 CO -* V '*-* r*5: •^ 2 xj »i S g s o o Kic^t:5C^^^ I « ^ •s -< C .£itft5 goo rx j:; i; a o o o O "O ■Ta TS -o ecte slan a I. slan ^ t-H C 1— t 9 O o . ^ . o up5 £cq , o o G c a "a d o 1,000 o "S U OJ o H) o o a San Nic- olas I. San Cle- mente I. Sta. Bar- bara I. * . * * Sta. 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Most of it is covered with herbage, and much shrubbery in parts; the shores are steep and rocky, and there is an almost land-locked har- bor on the S.W. side. San Clemente and Santa Barbara islands are exclusively basaltic, with sev- eral terraces. The vegetation is almost wholly herbaceous, and rather abun- dant. The shores are steep and rocky. Water is scarce on the former and there is absolutely none on the latter for two-thirds of the year, except what is deposited by the fogs. San Nicolas Island is very different from the rest, being exclusively sand- stone, of very recent elevation, and covered with light herbage. The shores are chiefly sandy and the surrounding water shoal. The islands having been visited for only a short time, few of the migratory species were observed, except on Catalina Island in the last days of October. Santa Barbara Island was visited for six weeks in May and June ; Catalina again in June and July ; the others for a few days only about the first of July. The results can therefore be considered only an approximation to a comparisod of the faunas. Summer and Winter Migrations. As before stated, the majority of the birds of California are constant resi- dents in some part of the State, but each locality has some which come there only .at certain seasons. The collections have not, however, been made at any one point in the two extremes of the year, but a list can be given of those observed at San Pedro and thence to San Diego from June 1st to August 1st, compared with those seen from October to April 1st, omitting the constant residents. SUMMER. 1. Selasphorus riffus Gmel. 2. Panyptila melanoleuca Baird. 3. Chordeiles Texensis Lawr. 4. Tyrannus verticalis Say. 5. Myiarchus Mexicanus Kaup. 6. Contopus Richardsonii Swains. 7. Empidonax flaviventris Baird. 8. Geothlypis trichas Linn. 9. " MacGillivrayi And. 10. Icteria longicauda Lawr. 11. Dendrffica oestiva Gmel. 12. Myiodioctes pusillus Wils. 13. Pyranga ludoviciana Wih. 14. Hirundo horreorum ^art. 15. " lunifrons Say. 16. Progne purpurea Luin. 17. Vireo gilvus Vieill. WINTER. ) 1. Falco polyagrus Cass. 2. Accipiter Cooperii Bonap. 3. Accipiter fuscus Gmel. 4. Archibuteo ferrugiueus Lickt. 5. " lagopus Gray. 6. Sayornis Sayus Bonap. 7. Turdus migratorius Linn. 8. Sialia arctica Swains. 9. Regulus calendula Linn. 10. Anthus Ludovicianus Gmel. 11. Dendrceca Audubouii Towns. '12. Ampelis cedrorum, Vieill. 13. Sitta aculeata Cass. 14. Parus montanus Gamb. 15. Passerculus alaudinus? Bonap. 16. Zonotrichia Gambelli Nutt. 1 7. " coronata Pall. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. " 81 18. Vireo pusiilus Coues. 1 9. Spizella socialis Wils. 20. Melospiza Lincoluii Aud. 21. Guiraca melanocephala Swains. 22. " ccerulea Linn. 23. Cyanospiza amoena Say. 24. Icterus ciicullatus Stmins. 25. " Bullockii Swains. 26. Ardetta exilis Grnel.- 27. Ibis Ordii Bonap. 28. H.-ematopus palliatus? Temm. 29. Himantopus nigricollis VieiU. 30. Chroecocephalus Philadelphia! Ord. 31. Hydrochelidon fissipes Linn. 32. Sterna Pikei ? Xawr. 18. Junco Oregonus Towns. 19. Passerella megarhynchus Baird. 20. Pipilo chlorurns Toxuns. 21. Xanthocephalus icteroceph. Bon. 22. Columba fasciata Say. 23. Grus Canadensis Linn. 24. Garzetta candidissima Jacq. 25. ^gialitis niontanus Towns. 26. " seniipalniatus Bon. 27. Squatarola Helvetica Z,mn. 28. Hffimatopus niger?'»Pa//. 29. Strepsilas melanocephalus Vig. 30. Recurvirostra americaua Gmel. 31. Phalaropus hyperboreus Linn. 32. Gallinago Wilsouii Temm. The remainder of the water birds, including waders, are either winter resi- dents only, or seen in July as well as in winter, aud therefore considered constant residents, though most of them probably retire to the mountains to breed. Besides those mentioned, about forty species of* water birds and sixty land birds occur in the localities mentioned. Many of the winter birds doubtless frequent the neighboring mountains in summer, and this list does not, therefore, show the species occurring throughout the Coast Slope, but only for ten to twenty miles inland. • The names of all the vertebrated animals in California are too many to be given in this article, but the other species may be ascertained by reference to " The Natural Wealth of California," (San Francisco, 1867) or to the cata- logues in Baird, Cassin, and Lawrence's Reports, (Pacific Railroad Series, Vols. YlII, IX, and X) with the additions given in this volume, (p. 3) and in the Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sc, 1869, p. 12, where the following Cetaceans of California are described, viz : ADDITIONAL SPECIES. Bal^ena Cullamach? Chamisso, RACHrA^fECTES glaucus Cope, Megaptera versabilis. Cope, Bal^noptera velifera Cope, SiBBALDius sulfureus Cope, Physeter macrocephalus Linn., Globicephalus Scammonii Cope, Phoc^xa vomerina GUI, Delphinus Styx? Gray, Delphinapteru.s borealis? Peak, Orca rectipinna Cope, Orca ater Cope, California Right Whale. California Gray Whale. Pacific Humpback Whale. California Finback Whale. Sulphur-bottom Whale. Sperm Whale. Pacific Black Fish. California Bay Porpoise. Finback Porpojse. • Right Whale Porpoise. Long-finned Killer. Short-finned Killer. 82 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Regular Meeting, September 20th, 1869. President in the Chair. Sixteen members present. W. H. Haskell was elected a resident member. Donations to the Cabinet; Part of the jawbone of the Petaluma Mastodon, by Mr. White through G. Yale. Rocks, earth, and shells from fin Indian mound near San Quentin, by G. Yale, who stated that this mound seemed to have been caused by upheaval. The larva of a Cicada from Tepic, Mexico, killed by a growth of fungus (Spheria) from its head, by Dr. Holland through Dr. Behr. A specimen of a new mineral from Mexico, called by Prof. Brush Durangite ; also of Ilmonite from Mariposa County, by Mr. Hanks. A discussion on shell mound's occupied the rest of the evening. Regular Meeting, October 4th, 1869. President in the Chair. Fourteen members present. W. H. Collie and Geo. Hobson were elected resident members of the Academy. • Donations to the Cabinet : Specimens of the root called " Wild Parsnip " by the miners in Nevada, and the dried plant with it, by Dr. A. L. Stout. Iron ore, felspar, coal, and shale, from Chilchat, Alaska, Lat. 59° 25', by Prof. Davidson. Donations to the Library : On Hydrofluoric Acid, by G. Gore, F. R.»S., pam., 4to., from the author. Catal. of the Library of Dr. B. F. Shumard, pam., 8vo. Dr. Stout read a letter from Lieut. D. L. Carpenter, U. S. A., now at Ruby. Valley, Nev., giving an account of the poisoning of two miners by eating the root called " AVild Parsnip." Dr. Stout had prepared a concentrated tincture of the root, and found that it had no effect on a frog when Introduced beneath the skin, but when put into the stomach caused complete paralysis in one minute. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 83 The plant was referred to Mr. Bloomer for scientific determin- ation. Prof. Davidson gave an account of his recent observation of the eclipse of the sun, made in Alaska. He stated that the mrost im- portant point he had determined was that the appearances called " Bailey's Beads " was not to be seen at the place of observation. Regular Meeting, October 18th, 1869. President in the Chair. B. Christensen was elected resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : The jaws of a " Thrasher " Shark (^Alopias vulpes?^ recently caught in this bay, by G. Yale. Bro- ken implements and skulls from an Indian mound near San Rafael, by Mr. F. Davis. Leaves of a mulberry tree from Japan, appar- ently Morns alba, by Dr. Gibbons. Mr. Carlton exhibited fine specimens of miocene fossils obtained by him in the ridge running through Pacheco, Contra Costa Co., and already in the Academy's museum. Mr. Davis stated that the mound opened by him, out of a dozen or more in that vicinity, was about 300 feet long, 175 wide, and 20 high. Skeletons at various depths showed a great antiquity, being often in snccessive strata of ashes, soil, etc., slowly accumulated. Flints, more or less worked, circles of hearthstones, ornaments of the Abelone shell, (^Haliotis) and bones, were the only relics dis- covered. Dr. Cooper stated that while the relics so far found in California indicated that the natives had never advanced beyond the " Stone Age," and that they were of the same race as the " Diggers " of the Great Basin east of the Sierra Nevada, yet the tribes north of California, as well as in Mexico, were far superior to them in knowl- edge of the constructive arts, though the former used no metal im- plements. There was evidence that the Japanese had visited the northwest coast, and apparently introduced some arts, while it had been recency published as a fact that a Chinese junk had visited 84 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA Mexico before the time of Columbus. No evidence, however, had yet been found of ancient Asiatic communication with CaUfornia. Prof. Davjdson said he had records of at least four shipwrecks of Japanese vessels on this coast within a period of one or two cen- turies past, and it is probable that many more had occurred prev- iously. He had seen one ancient " dug-out " canoe at Point Con- cepcion. Regular Meeting, November 1st, 1869. President in the Chair. Twenty members present. Donation to the Cabinet : A broken tusk of the fossil Elephant from Alaska, by G. Yale. Specimens of Quercus vaccinifolia Kell., by Dr. Kellogg. Donations to the Library : Observations on Geology of Alaska by W. H. Dall, pam., 4to, 1869, from the author. American Journ. of Conchology, vols. 1, 2, and 3, 8vo, from Dr. Cooper, vol. 4 by subscription. On the Origin of Genera, by E. D. Cope, Philad,, 1869, pam., 8vo., from the author; also the follow- ing through the Smithsonian Inst. : Four works iu Russian from the Ro}'. Geog. Soc. ; Bulletin and Memoires de I'Acad. Imp. des Sciences, Vols. XII and XIII, Nos. 1-3, St. Petsgb, 186-1-8 ; Symbolaj Sirenologic*, J. F, Brandt, pts. 2 and 3, 18G1-8, 4to. ; Reis. in Amurlande, Botan. Theil, F, Schmidt, 1 v., 4to, 1868 ; Die befruchtenbeiden Farrnkrautern, E. Strasberger, 1 v., 4to, 1868. Nova Acta Reg. Soc. Scient., Upsal, 3d ser., Vol. V, pts. 1-2, 4to, 1866-8 ; Abhandl. der Xaturalvist. Gesell. Nurnberg, Vols. Ill and IV, 1866-8, 3 pts., 8vo ; Sitzungsber. and Denksch- riften der Kais. Akad. Wissensch., Wien, Vol 56, parts 1-3, 1868, 3 vol., 4to : Zeits. der Oesterr. Gesellsch. fur Meteorol., Wien, 1868, 1 v., 6vo ; Jahrbuch & Verhandl. der K. K. Geolog. Reichsanstalt, Wien, 1868, 3 pts., 8vo; Ver- handl. der K. K. Zoolog.-botan. Gesellsch., Wien, Vols. 17 and 18, pts. 1-4, 1868, 8vo; Monatsber. der K. Preuss, Akad. der Wissen. Berlin, 1869, 2 v. 8vo ; Die vegetations verhaltniss von Croatien, Dr. A. Neilreich, Wien, 1868, 1 v. 8vo ; Sitzsungs. der Naturwis. Gesell. Jsis, Dresden, 1868-9, 2 v., 8vo ; Der Zqologische Garten, Frankfurt, Nos. 6-12, 1868, 8vo ; Zeitsch. der Deutsche Geolog. Gesell., Berlin, vol. 20, pt. 3, 1868, 8vo ; Nachricht der K. Gesell. der Wissen. und George Augusts Univers. Gottingen, 1868, 1 v., 8vo ; Corres- pond, der Zool. Mineral. Vereins Regensburg, 1868, 1 v., 8vo ; ^Wurtemburg ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 85 Naturwis!?. Jahresliefte. Stuttgart, 186S, 1 v., 8vo ; Schrift. der Naturforsch. Gesell. Danzig, 1866-8, 2 v., Bvo ; Jahresber. dor Naturforsch. Gesell. Emden, 1867,1 v., 8vo; Mittheil. aus der Osterlande, Alteiiburg, vol. 18, pts. 3, 4, 1868, 1 V, 8vo ; Abhaudl. der Naturforsch. Gesell. Halle, 1868, 1 v., 4to ; Beobaclit. des Meteorol. Observ. Hohenspeisseuberg, 1 851-64, and Ann. der Munch. Sternwarte, 2 v., 8vo, 1868 ; Uber die Theorien der thierisch. Organ- ismen, C. Voit, Munchen, 1868, pam., 4to ; Sitzungs. and Alraafiach der Kon. Akad. derWissen. INIunchen, 1867-8, 10 pts.,'8vo; Denkrede auf IT. A. von Vogel, 1868. Vcrhandl. 1868, Verslag. en Mededeel. 1868, Jaarboek, 1869. Catal. van de Boekerij, 1868, Process-verb., 1867-8, der Kon. Akad. van Wetenschap. Amsterdam, 1 vol., 4to, 5 vol., 8vo ; Nederl. Meteorol. Jaarboek, 1867, and Temperature of Sea at south point of Africa, Utrecht, 1853, 3 vol. 4to. Oversig. Korg. Danske Videns. Selskabs, Kjob.,* 1867-8, 3 Nos., 8vo ; Det Kon. Norske Univer. Aarsberet, 1867; Forhandl. i Vidensk. Selskabs, 1858-'67, 10 vol., 8vo ; Beretning om Fiskerei udstill. i Aalsund, 1864, I V. 8vo ; Norges Offic. Statistik, 1868, 3 vol. 4to ; from Christiania, Nor- way. Beretning om den Internat. Fiskeri udstill., Bergen, 1867, 1 v., 8vo ; Forteg. over de af Fiskinspekteur i Stockholm ; Baaheslens Fiskerier, A. An- dersen, 3 pam., 8vo. Les Peches de la Norvege, H. Baars, Paris, 1867, pam., 8vo ; Bull, de la Soc. Imp. des Nat. de Moscou, 1868, I v., 8vo ; Man. de la Soc. Physique de Geneve, Vol. XIX, pts. 1 and 2, 1866-8, 2 vol., 4to ; Bullet. 1868, and Aunuaire, 1869, de I'Acad. Roy. des Sciences, etc., Bruxelles, 3 vol., 8vo ; Recherches sur la Syphilis, W. Boeck, Christiania, 1862, 4to; Memoires pour servir a la Connais. des Crinoids viv., M. Sars, Christiania, 1868, pam., 4to ; E.xeunte Octobri ad Fiiiolum, Ekker, Amsterd., 1868, pam., 8vo ; Expos. In- ternat. d'Objets d'Horticult., St. Pets'bg, 1869, pam., 8vo. Geology of Trini- dad, W. I., 1 vol., 8vo ; Reports on parts of the Geology of Ireland, Dublin, 1843, 1 vol., 8vo, from the Geol. Survey of Great Britain. Mem. of U. S. Sanitary Comm., Statistical, 1869, 1 vol., 8vo ; Proc. and Journ. of Roy. Hortic. Soc. Jan.-Mch, 1869, 2 pts., 8vo ; Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts and Sciences, Vol. YII, 1868, p. 345 to end ; Memoir? of Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. I, 4, 1 vol, 4to ; Entom. Corresp. of T. M. Harris, M. D., (from same) 1869, 1 v., 8vo. Dr. Kellogg exhibited some plants collected by him during his re- cent tour to Humboldt Bay. He stated that his Vaccinium-leaved oak had been ascribed to Sir W. Hooker, and also considered a dwarf variety of Q. chrysolepis, but he would correct both these errors, as he had described it in these Proceedings, Vol. I, p. 96, and had found no intermediate specimens, though the two species grow near together. He exhibited his colored drawings of this, of Brodiea coecmea Gray, and Chlorogalum angustifoUum KelL, for comparison Avith specimens. He found that land covered with a growth of a species of" Ceanothus was considered most valuable by V 86 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA dairymen, because the milk of cows feeding on it gave more cream than when fed on other plants. Mr. Bloomer reported that the " Wild Parsnip " presented Oc- tober 4th was the Cicuta maculata Linn., usually called "Water Hemlock," and well known in the East as a deadly poison. Regular Meeting, November 15th, 1869. * President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : Cinnabar, quartz and porphyry, from a point thirty miles north of Clear Lake, presented by Dr. Green through Mr. Yale. Dr. Behr stated that a collection of butterflies, received by him from Colorado Territory, contained several species of a very Arctic type, and others of genera common to Germany, but rare in those parts of the United States heretofore explored.' Col. Ransom read the followmg paper : Shell Mounds. BY LEANDER RANSOM. The subject of " Ancient Mounds " and their builders has attracted the attention of antiquarians, and men of science generally, for years. Much has been written on the subject, and much may be written, yet conjecture forms the basis of our knowledge regarding them. California does not appear to have been visited by the " mound builders," whose works are numerous in the Mississippi Valley, as no trace of their work has yet been discovered on our coast. The only " ancienl works," in the form of mounds yet discovered, are what we familiarly term " Shell Mounds," in consequence of their composition being largely of shells. My attention was attracted at an early day to their existence on this coast, and from some memoranda made by me in 1854, I have drawn up this sketch, showing the position, appearances, and dimensions at that time, of a group of such mounds situated about one-fourth of a mile inland from the Bay of San Pablo, on the west side, a short distance below Sau Pedro Point, in Township 2 North, Range 6 West, Mount Diablo meridian. There are four of them. The largest is eighty feet in diameter on the top, forming a perfect circle, and twenty feet in height, with eides sloping about one and half degrees to one de- gree. Capt. Simptou, the proprietor of the land on which they were situated, ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 87 bas erected a comfortable dwelling on the top of it, two stories in height, where he resides. Immediately in the rear, and extending northwardly, are three others, about the same distance from each other, respectively sixty, forty-five and forty feet in diameter at the top, and fifteen, twelve and ten feet in height, with a basin- shaped depression in the top of each. They are situated in a beautiful and picturesque valley, well wooded, and thoroughly shielded from the prevailing summer winds, by the surrounding hilis and high lands, with a stream of water at their base, and in full view of the waters of the Bay. Here must have resided a chief of a tribe, with his " men of science " about him, as the position and shape of these mounds indicate more than ordinary Indian skill and design. Differences of opinion may and probably do exist as to the origin of these mounds, y-et the more general opinion appears to be that there was no other definite object in their construction and subsequent growth than the one herein suggested. They are undoubtedly the work of the present race of Indians on this coast and their immediate ancestors. Those that I have seen are uniformly situated in the neighborhood of beds of mussels or other shell fish, either on the banks of bays or streams of water, distant from a few chains to a quarter of a mile. A favorable place is selected for a residence or lodge, and a commencement is made by excavating a depression in the earth and throwing up a circular ridge ; or where the ground is too low, commencing a foundation by a basin -shaped deposit of earth. Around and on the ridge, poles or stakes are planted, with the tops connected, to form a haystack-shaped structure, which is covered by bark, or more gen- erally with the skins of animals. Around this lodge the refuse of their shell- fish, as well as the bones and other oflal from other animals are thrown daily. After years of such deposits and accumulation, which at different times has been more or less covered over with earth when the stench became too offens- ive, and when fleas and other vermin became unbearable, a "purging by fire'' is resorted to ; then new structures are formed, and another series of years and deposits is added. Let this extend to centuries, as has been the case on this coast, and you have the shell mounds which we see in favorable and desirable localities. There is another species of mounds similarly formed, but not for the same purpose, which I may call attention to at a future day. Mr. Yale read some notes on the "meteoric showers" of the night of the 13th and 14th instants, as observed by him. The skj was clear before midnight, but fog partially obscured the sky from 12.30 until 3 A.M. He saw no meteors except at 4.45, when " the largest and most brilliant meteor I ever witnessed shot through directly from east to west. It illuminated the heavens and the earth on the line of its track, and appeared four to five inches 88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA in diameter, with an indefinite length, exploding with a fan-Uke shape of at le.ist ten feet in breadth on an estimate, not unlike the appearance of a sky-rocket exploding. I heard no noise from the explosion." Regular Meeting, December 7th, 1869. President in the Chair. J. Taylor and A. W. Bowman were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : A large collection of shells, radiata and fossil corals, with cones of Pinus tceda, from Florida, by R. E. C Stearns. Donation to the Library: Catalogue of recent MoUusca, part 4, by S. R. Roberts, Philad., 1869, pam. 8vo., from the author. Prof. Whitney stated that in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado he had observed only six species of Coniferge. Dr. Behr mentioned Eucalyptus marginata as. plentiful in Aus- tralia, which he thought might be imported with advantage for use in building wharves, as the logs are not attacked by the teredos. Another tree grows in salt marshes and might be cultivated in such situations here, QAvicennia tomentosa?^. Prof. Whitney read a very interesting letter from Baron von Richthofen on his recent explorations in China, where he has been a year and a half. He recognized there the " Taho sandstone ;" next, a series of shales 1,200 to 3,000 feet thick, widely distrib- uted ; third, a superposition of limestone schists ; fourth, a period of volcanic disturbances and outbursts of granite ; fifth, an undis- turbed stratum of sandstone ; sixth, one of limestone, 600 feet thick, full of fossils, isome of Devonian appearance ; seventh, an- other limestone formation, followed by sandstone conglomerate, por- phyritic tufa, and clays, as observed on the Yang-tze-kiang. Professor W^hj,tney read a letter from Mr. J. E. Clayton, dated Hamilton, Nevada, October 21st, 1869, and giving a sketch of the geological structure and mode of occurrence of the silver ores in the White Pine District. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 89 Mr. Clayton gives the following section of the rocks in that region : Feet. Very brittle, chiefly limestone, with Productus, Spirifer, corals and flint nodules 1,000 Greenish sandstone 60 Black bituminous shales 400 Encrinital limestone. . . .'. 60 Pink shales and sandstones 300 Silver-bearing limestone, with abundant corals and small bivalves 1,500 He considers the silver-bearing rocks as probably of Silurian age. In regard to the occurrence of the ore, he writes as follows : " The ore is found, first, in certain lines of fractured country rock, which I call ' ore-channels,' or zoijes of metal-bearing country. The ore-channels have been in all cases brecciated or crushed by mechanical movements of the earth's crust, and sometimes extensive faults or vertical displacements are seen along the crushed lines, but not always. In some of the most extensive brecciated beds of limestone no material displacement has occurred ; as, for instance, in the great Aurora ore-channel, which is one hundred to two hundred feet wide, and one mass of broken limestone, the angular fragments being of all sizes, from that of minute pieces to large blocks. In the interstices of this mass the quartz and ore have been deposited, the small fragments being completely changed to quartz, the large ones only pai^ially so. ''Second — In layers between the bedding of the limestone in masses of all shapes and sizes, from a few pounds in weight to hundreds of tons, always con- necting immediately or remotely with some vertical fissure or brecciated chan- nel of country rock. " Third — In vertical fissures, cutting the country to unknown depths ; but there are no true veins of ore in these fissures; they are filled with silicified breccia of the same general character as that found in the ore-channels. " Many of the true fissures are filled with banded spar veins ; but they are barren and are of a later formation, in many cases cutting through the Ore channels and country rock indiscriminately. There have evidently been two periods in the changes made here : First — A partial upheaval, fracturing the limestone beds, but not breaking the more flexible overlying shales, which thus confined the heated waters and gases to the limestone. This was the quartz- and ore-period. Second — An upheaval, breaking the whole series of overlying rocks, making new fissures, reopening old ones, and depositing spar." Prof. Bolander spoke of the recently reported rise of six feet in the waters of Mono Lake, said to be accompanied by a freshening of the waters and the disappearance of the dense clouds of flies, of which the larvse were formerly so abundant in the lake. Prof. Whitney stated that the ancient water-marks showed that Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 7 Feb. 1870. 90 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA the lake was once 600 feet higlier than now. He added that Pyra- mid and Great Salt Lake^ had also risen very much in the past two years. He thought there were probably cycles of rise and fall in the waters of the Great Basm corresponding to periodical changes of the climate. There had been an unusually large rainfall east^of the Sierra Nevada in the past year. A discussion followed on the probability of these facts being con- nected with the uncommonly small rainfall in California this winter. Regular Meeting, December 20th, 1869. President in the Chair. Fifteen members present. Donation to the Cabinet: A fresh specimen of Casinos hipinnata raised from seed sent from Guadalajara, Mex., by Baron Terloot, by Dr. Behr. Prof. Whitney read the following paper : Notice of Explorations in the Rocky Mountains. BY J. D. WHITNEY. Professor Whitney gave some of tlie results obtained in an exploration of a portion of the Rocky Mountains durinjf the previous summer. Tlie party, which was well provided with instruments for topographical, astronomical, and barometrical work, consisted chiefly of professors and students from the Mining School of Harvard University, and was also accompanied by Professor Brewer, of the Yale Scientific School, and Mr. C. F. Hoffmann, of San Francisco. A careful triangulation was made of the dominating range of the Rocky Moun- tains between Gray's Peak and the south edge of the South Park, and a map drawn by Mr. Hoffmann, on a scale of two miles to an inch, embracing an area of about 3,.o00 square miles. This map includes the whole of the South Park and its vicinity ; but not the whole of the main divide of the Rocky Mountains, that portion which lies to the northwest of the head of the Arkansas River being necessarily left to be completed at a future time. It is hoped that it will be possible to extend the topographical work to the north and west, so that a detailed map may be prepared of the whole of the highest portion of the Rocky Mountains. Among the results obtained by this exploration was the determination of the elevation of some high points not previously measured. The highest peak as- cended lies to the west of the Arkansas, and it surpasses in elevation any yet ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 91 observed in the Rocky Mountains. It was named Mount Harvard, and found to be 14,270 feet in heiglit. The next highest points are: Gray's Peak, which was ascertained to be 14,145 feet in elevation ; Mount Lincoln, 14,123 feet ; and Mounr Yale, 14,078 feet. Many other points were measured, but these were the only ones that were found to be over 14,000 feet high. Dr. Parry is the only other explorer who has published any measurements of the peaks of this region. Having, ho\vever, no station barometer nearer than St. Louis, his results are liable to considerable uncertainty, as is shown by the fact that his elevation of Denver was found by the spirit-level sur\!^ys of the Central Pacific and Denver roads to be 282 feet ^po great, a result closely cor- roborated by the Kansas Pacific RailroMd surveys. Dr. Parry also obtained for the height of Gray's Peak a result one hundred feet greater than ours. In every other instance where observations were taken by the Harvard Mining School party at stations previously occupied by Dr. Parry, the results of the latter are found somewhat too high, the discrepancy varying from 50 to 450 feet. This would indicate that the elevation of Pike's Peak, given by Dr. Parry at 14,216, may also be a little too high. But, to obtain the necessary data for working up to the last degree of accuracy the barometrical observa- tions taken in this region', it will be necessary that stations be made on the plains at the base of the mountains — say at Denver— and at some point as high up as possible — as, for instance, Georgetown or Montgomery — and the observa- tions continued for at least one year synchronously at' the two stations. In the meantime, it will be convenient to have the approximate heights of all the points in the Rocky Mountains yet measured, and which exceed 14,000 feet in elevation. They are as follows : FEET. Mount Harvard 14,270 Grav's Peak [a) 14,245 (Parry) Pike's Peak -. 14,21() (Parry) Mount Lincoln .■ 14,123 Mount Yale 14,078 Long's Peak (6) 14,050 (?) (a.) This result is 100 feet greater than that obtained by the Harvard party. (6.) This is an estimate based on a barometrical observation by Messrs. Pow- ell and Byers, without any corresponding base observation. The barometer stood at 18.100 inches. From the above it will be seen that no point has yet been found in the Rocky Mountains as high as several in the Sierra Nevada. It will also be noticed as a remarkable coincidence how little the highest points ditFer from each otherln elevation. It is*thonght by some that there are still higher peaks than any yet measured, to the southwest of Mount Harvard and Mount Yale, in the yet unexplored regions lying between the Arkansas and the Grand. This party was unable to carry its work so far in that direction as would have been necessary in order to decide that point. Thfe other results of this expedition will be worked out and published in due time. 92 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Dr. Carl Von Scherzer, Chief Commissioner of the Commercial and Scientific Embassy from the Austrian Government to Eastern Asia and America, was invited to address the Society, and gave an interesting account of his observations in China. Dr. Cooper presented the following : The West-Coast Presh-water Univalves, No. 1. BY J. G. COOPER, M.D. In the " Geographical Catalogue of West-Coast Mollusca," published 1867, I gave the names and range of the species known at that time ; but having col- lected comparatively little in the interior, and being unable to obtain from East- ern conchologists a named series of even those I had collected, I compiled the list from the most recent publications of the work of others. Since that time, by the accumulation of new materials, Ihat catalogue has already become anti- quated, and I now propose to give some results of these later collections, made partly by me, but chiefly by my friends. Rev. J. Rowell, H. P. Carlton, G. W. Dunn, L. G. Yates, H. N. Bolander, Dr. C. A. Canfield, W. G. W. Harford, AV. H. Holder, C. D. Voy, and the late J. Hepburn. To the two first named gentlemen I am especially indebted for typical specimens of the new forms dis- covered by them, and lately described by Tryon and Lea. The Academy's Museum has also supplied types of several species discovered by Dr. J. B. Trask, Dr. J. A. Veatch, and the late Dr. A. Randall, some of *them but lately described from the collections of Mr. W. M. Gabb and Dr. W. Newcomb, who obtained many from the same sources. (See also, Dall, in Vol. in, p. 264, on subfam. Pompholina, etc.) Geographical Distribution. The geographical distribution of fresh-water shells is very different usually from that of the terrestrial or marine species, and differs among themselves very much according to the family to which they belong. One generalization may be safely made, viz : that the Pulmonate species have often a vast range, while those able to live but a short time out of water are confined to comparatively marrow limits, each stream or lake often having its species nearly or quite pecu- liar. Local variations are also common among the Pulmouates, but not so strongly defined, nor usually admitting the rank of species. Thus, among 20 Limneids given in the Geog. Cat., the first, L. stagnalis, is fuadoubtediy circumpolar in range, those of the two continents beiqg undistiu- rguishable. The third, L. elodes Say., ( palustris Linn. ?) is considered by many .•authors identical with the European form, but seems to me as well entitled to specific rank as many others. This we have in common with the Atlantic slope, but we also have several local varieties, at first called species, e. g., prox- dma Lea, Traskii Tryon, and perhaps others. * The other Pulmonates are, however, ail peculiar to North America, an^ even to this west slope, in the opinion of several recent authors. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 93 The local distribution of species, is more interesting to naturalists on this coast. On account of the peculiarity of our wet and dry seasons, in which latter nine-tenths of the surface-water dries up in this State, it is not generally so well adapted for the concentration of many species in one locality as east of the Mississippi. Most of our waters, therefore, furnish but few species, and so isolated are they in the dry season that many local forms are generated by the influence of local causes. The most notable exception so far discovered is near the junction of the Sac- ramento and San Joaquin rivers, where, by the discoveries of Messrs. Carlton, Rowell, and Dunn, we are informed of the occurrence of no less than twenty- one univalves and five bivalves in the fresh water. This point, as we well know, receives the flow of waters from a vast range of country extending from Lat. 35° to 42^, or about 500 miles, with a width of over 100. Doubtless there is no other point on the coast where so many can be found, and by extend- ing the region as far as Sacramento and Stockton five or six more forms may be added, all of which will probably be yet detected near the former place. At Mountain Lake, near San Francisco, a sheet of permanent and clear water, shallow but cool at all seasons, we find only seven forms of univalves and three bivalves, which is even more than I have heard of in any other so limited space. At Santa Cruz, a year's search in two perpetual streams fur- nished only five univalves and two bivalves, four of the seven distinct from those of Mountain Lake. Walnut Creek, however, a little stream running N.W. from Mt. Diablo, half dry in summer, supplied Mr. Yates with eight univalves and one bivalve in a semi-fossil state ; and, quite remarkably, I found three of the former distinct from those of the river junction, a few miles eastward, where, however, closely allied forms take their place. ^j, Thus we find in every locality, however limited and closely joining others, a peculiar group of forms, among which are usually one or more of each prom- inent genus, representing those found elsewhere. This alone is strong evidence that the numerous local forms of these genera are only varieties, although per- haps reproduced at several distant points under similar circumstances. Specific Characters of the Limneidce. The great difficulties and differences of opinion among naturalists, as to what constitutes a species, are nowhere more strikingly exhibited than in the fresh- water nioUusca, on account of the variability just mentioned as connected with their local conditions. Sometimes it is easy to perceive the causes of variation, and to give these their due weight as mere accidental circumstances, but more frequently we can only assign them to some unknown local influences. Some authors, from studying only dead shells, are led to give such variations undue importance; or, from^the ambition to make new species, wilfully pervert them to the rank of good specific characters. I will briefly mention some of the characters that seem only of varietal value, and those apparently really specific. The thickening at or near the edge of the lip is attributed by Dr. J. E. Gray to the necessity for a stronger margin either 94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA during the winter hibernation or the low 'water of the dry season, and my ob- servations confirm this, as all our forms without thig character when mature inhabit waters never frozen nor dried up. Other waters, liable to dry up wholly or in part, furnish specimens differing only in having the lip thickened. I there- fore consider this as the normal condition, and its absence as merely. varietal, when uncombined with other characters. Only the subfamily Ancijlinm is des- titute of it in all cases. Dr. J. Lewis attributes the malleation of some species to rapid growth in warm water, causing the shell to solidify unevenly ; and also mentions apparent metamorphoses of one species into another quite different, merely from change out of still canal water to that of a rapid brook. As to the first observation, I think that the forms called Limnop/i i/sa paliis- tris, and elodes, often considered identical, and as having a circumboreal range, at least as far north as Lat. 60°, sufficiently disprove it, for this malleation is one of the chief characters distinguishing them from their more southern allies L. umbrosa, Nuttalliana, etc. The second statement is so opposed to the testimony of all other observers that it seems to me to require confirmation. Size, in connection with thickened lip and other marks of maturity, has been made a specific character without good reason, for we find specimens, differing in small size from larger types, confined to small springs, cold water, or tran- sient pools, where the' want of nourishment is sufficient to stamp them as merely dwarfed races. Color is another character often relied on as specific by those who study only the dead shells. A few bleached specimens, picked up by an inexperienced col- lector in a dried-up river bed, have been considered of natural color by even the cautious and e.x^ct Dr. A. A. Gould, as when he named Phijsa virginea from this very circumstance of " porcelain-like color," the living shell being really of the usual amber-yellow of the thin species. Again : his Pkysa virgata was named from pale stripes alternating with the usual hue, and the Ph. striata of Lea, as well as the Ph. sparsestriata Tryon, were founded chiefly on the same character. In all cases, however, the speci- mens came from waters either brackish from salt- mixture or from the alkalies so common in the drier portions of this State, and appear to me merely acci- dental varieties due to the introduction of the salts into the shell. I may add, that from my observation all the species are normally, when liv- ing, of some shade of horn-color, varying from pale amber to dark brown, or when opaque becoming black. Also, that all those of any one locality are usually very similar in the color and thickness of their shells, the latter depend- ing on the amount of lime in the water. This similarity extends to the colors of the animals, for of the ten univalve species found in Mountain Lake all have the same tint and thickness of the shell, and the same sipoky-black hue of the animals, except an occasional spotted var. of Phijsa. In many places the shells are all incrusted with the black protoxide of iron, and in others with the red sesquioxide. It is, therefore, useless to include color as a specific character, although its variations may not always be so easily explained. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 95 Some species appear to absorb the thickening of the lip when making a new annual growth, while others retain it and thus show three or four dark bands, corresponding to as many years' growth, and these multiplied bands form usually a good specific character. Some probably exist for only one year, but this is unsettled. Sculpture furnishes specific characters only in a few.. Other ^ood specific characters appear to be those founded on the general form, the modifications of parts, such as the columella, umbilicus, body-whorls, spire, number of whorls, and proportions of length to breadth, mouth to length, or body-whorl to spire. The authors who have adhered closely to these points have established the most reliable species. Having studied specimens of all the following species and animals, except those marked with a Q, I have arrived at the conclusions given in the synop- sis as to their true position. As to most of the others, the accuracy of the descriptions and figures given by their authors make their determination pretty certain ; and if I have misunderstood them I do not feel accountable for the fact, as imperfect descriptions are worse than none. Many of the higher divisions are founded in part on characters of the soft parts, but are intelligible without these, which may be found described in most recent works. As I propose, at some future time, to give the special distribution of our species in a tabular form, with the numerous amendments required since the publication of the Geog. Catal., I now limit myself to making out asynopsis of the species and their leading characters, omitting much detailed criticism of each, more suited for. a purely couchological journal. The present article includes only the family Limne/dcc, which numbers nearly two-thirds of the nominal species said to be found west of the Rocky Mountains, between lati- tudes 32° and 49°. I have also collected materials for a similar synopsis of the others, but not yet so complete as for this family. The plan followed is similar to that used by me in Yol. Ill, p. 331, for the Hclicoids. The * indicates original measurements of authors, in hundredths of an inch. Order PULMONIFERA. Subord. LiMNOPHiLA. Fresh-water section, with shells. Fam. Limneida. Shell thin, corneous, elongated spiral, planorboid, or patelliform. Subfam. Limneince. Shell dextral, spiral, elongated, last whorl usually very large, mouth oblong. Genus LIMNEA Earn. Spire attenuated, long, very slender, whorls flattened, outer lip spreading, umbilicus scarcely perceptibly 1 stagnalis Linn. Wh. 6, mouth about half total length; diam. 0.60 to 1, alt. 1.60-2.10. 2 lepida Gld. Wh. 5, mouth a little over half of length, spire thicker in proportion, otherwise like last ; diam *0.2.5, alt. *0.60. 96 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Subn^enus LI31N0PHYSA Fitz. Spire gradually tapering, whorlg rounded, the last less swollen, often umbilicate. ^ 1. Columellar lip strougrly twisted, appressed, nearly hiding umbilicus. f Diameter uot over half of length. Outline sublanceolate. X Malleated. (Varieties often smooth.) 3 el odes Say. Wh. 6-7, mouth about half of total length ; diam. 0.50- 0.60, alt. 1.00 to 1.35. Yar. -proxima Lea. Wh. 6-7, mouth .40 of length ; diam. *0.30-0.40, alt. *0.75-0.95. Var. Traskii Tryon. Wh. 6, mouth and whorls more rounded, umbil. larger ; diam. *0.32, alt. *0.64. J I Minute revolving grooves, chiefly on body-whorl, or smooth. 4 umbrosa Sny. Wh. 6-7, mouth .45 of length, lip widely expanded ;• diam. *0.45-*0.60, alt. 1.30-1.55. Var. Rowellii Tryon. Wh. 6, more slender and delicate, lip not Ex- panded • diam. *0.40, alt. *1.00. 5 Nuttaliana Lea. Wh. 6, mouth .55 of length, whorls swollen ; diam. *0.35-0.65, alt. *0.7.5-1.25. Var. Sumassi Baird. Broader ; diam. *0.40-*0.50, alt. *0.75-*1.12. 6 Tryoniana iea. Wh. 5, mCuth .45 of length, grooves obsolete; diam. *0.25-0.35, alt. *0.55-0.70. 7 desidiosa Say. Wh. 5, mouth .55 of length, grooves strong, spire slender ; diam. 0.10-0.30, alt. 0.25-*0.70. 8 obrussa Say. Wh. 5, mouth .55 of length, grooves obsolete, spire short; diam. *0.20-0.35, alt. 0.45-0.60. ^ 2. Columellar lip little twisted, flattened, uot appressed, usually leaving umbilicus open. Outline subovate. t f Diameter usually more than half of length. Grooves variable. 9- Adelinse Tryon. Wh. 5, mouth nearly .60 of length, umbil. open; diam *0.34, alt. *0.56. Var. Gahhii Tryon, Wh. 5-6}^, mouth similar, umbil. usually closed ; diam. *0.28-0.45, alt. *0.62-0.95. Q. 10 Binneyi Tryon. Wh. 5-6, mouth .68 of length, spire short ; diam. *0.52, alt. *0.76. 11 bulimoides Lea. Wh. 5, mouth .55 of length, spire obtuse; diam.- *0.22-0.30, alt. 0.38-0.45. Q? Var. solida Lea. Wh. 5, thicker; diam. *0.25, alt. *0.40. •Q? Var. apicina Lea. Wh. 4, spire short; diam. 0.30, alt. 0.40. 12 humilis Say. Wh. 5-6, mouth half of length, spire acute; diam. *0.20, alt. *0.35. Var. exigua Lea. Wh. 5, more slender ; diam. *0.15, alt. *0.35. Var. ferruginea Hald. Wh. 4-5, umbil. more or less covered ; diam. *0.15, alt. *0.35. Genus PHTSA Drap. Shell oblong, sinistral, thin, spiral, aperture sub-oval, columella twisted. *• -• ■*. ? -^^ % v\ ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 97 ^ 1. Columellar lip strongly twisted, appressed, leaving little or"no umbili- cal fissure behind it. f Diameter not over half of length. I Outline ovate-lanceolate, whorls very oblique. Rarely malleated. 13 gyriua Say. Wh. 5-6, mouth .55 of length, 1 to 3 lip- bands; diam. 0.20 to *0.40, alt. 0.50-*0.90. 14 vi rgi n ea Gld. Wh. 5-6, mouth .60 of length, lip rarely thick ; diam. *0.30-0.60, alt. *0.60-0.75. 15 venusta Lea. Wh. 4-5, mouth .70 of length, spire short, lip thick ; diam. *0.26-0.30, alt. 0.55-0.70. Var. hordacea Lea. Wh. 5, mouth .60 of length, lip thick, darker ; diam. *0.13, alt. *0.27. f f Diameter half to two-thirds of length. J X Outline acute oval, whorls not very oblique. Sometimes malleated. 16 Carltonii Lea. Wh. 5-6, thick, mouth .70 of length, 1-3 lip-bands ; diam. 0.35-0.55, alt. 0.50-1.00. 17 G a b b i i Tryon. Wh. 6, mouth .60 of length, inner lip expanded ; diam. 0.25-*0.50, alt. 0.40-*0.90. Var. Traskii Lea. Wh. 6, mouth .70 of length, thicker and darker ; diam. 0.35-*0.45, alt. 0.60-*0.76. Var. occidentalis Tryon. Wh. 5-6, mouth .70 of length, columella notched flnteriorly ; diam. *0.42, alt. 0.70. Vai\ D'Orbignyana Lea. Wh. 5, mouth .75 of length, striped ; diam. *0.32, alt. *0.55.(=.s;nata Lea.) Var. sparsestriata Tryon. Wh. 5, mouth .65 of length, lip thin, stripes few ; diam. *0.28, alt. *0.48. » 18 Blandii Lea. Wh. 4-5 (usually eroded), mouth .75 of length, diam. *0.30, alt. *0.48. Var. distinguenda Tryon. Wh. 4-5, acute, mouth .65 of length, lip thin ; diam. *0.28-0.35, alt. *0.52-0.60. (^l==Grosvenorii Lea. Wh. 5, spire longer; diam. *0.18, alt. *0.30. (Prior name.) q'i=Nuttalii Lea. Wh. 4, mouth .60 of length; diam. *0.27, alt. *0.40. (Prior name.) 19 triticea Lea. Wh. 4, mouth .75 of length, heavy, color dark, diam. *0.14-0.20, alt. *0.27-0.35. (Nearest to heterostropha.) Q. Var. Cooperii Tryon. Wh. 3-4 (eroded), mouth .75 of length ; diam, *0.18, alt. *0.32.' 20 malleata Tryon. Wh. 5, mouth .65 of length, malleation strong; diam. *0.25-0.32, alt. *0.45-0.55. Q? Var. parva Lea. Wh. 4, mouth .65 of length, smooth, lip thin ; diam. *0.11, alt. *0.19. XXX Often very fine revolving grooves. 21 diaphana Tryon. Wh. 5, mouth .65 of length, yellowish, thick; diam. *0.28-0.32, alt. *0.50-0.55. Var. politlssima Tryon. Wh. 5, mouth .60 of length, spire shorter, lip thin ; diam. *0.26, alt. *0.45. 98 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA I 2. Coluraellar lip little twisted, flattened anteriorly, not apptessed, leaving an umbilical sinus behind it. f ft Diameter about two-thirds of length, or more. Smooth. ttXt Outline obovate, often shouldered, whorls scarcely oblique. 22 ampuUacea GUI. Wh. 6, mouth .80 of length, horn-color; diam. 0.42-*0.55, alt. 0.72-*1.00. Q. Yar. Lordi Bdird. More shouldered ; diam. *0.50-*0.75, alt. *0.75- *1.00. Yar. propinqua Tryon. Wh. 5, mouth .75 of length, spire shorter ; diam. *0.4S-0.50, alt. 0.72-*0.78. Q. Var. coniformis Tryon. Wh. o, mouth .75 of length ; diam. *0.36, alt. *0.60. 23 humerosa GUI Wh. 5, thick, mouth .65 of length, strongly shoul- dered ; diam. *0.38-0.45, alt. *0.50-0.70. Var. virgata Gld. Wh. 4-5, mouth .75 of length, less shouldered, striped; diam. *0.2.5-0.40, alt. *0.40-0.65. If ft With strong longitudinal ribs. 24 costata Newc. Wh. 4, mouth .75 of length, shouldered, ribs 10-14; diam. 0.20-0.30, alt. 0.35-0.50. Subgenus APLEXUS Flem. Shell elliptic-oval, sinistral, lustrous, columella slightly indented. 25 h y p n r u m Linn. Wh. 6-7, mouth .55, diam. ab8ut .40 of length ; diam. 0.20-0.30, alt. 0.50-0.85. Subfam. Pompliolinm Dall. Shell depressed, few-whorled, the last nearly including the flattened spire ; base convex, mouth ^usl, imperforate. Genus POMPHOLYX Lea. The only one known. 26 e f f u sa Lea. Wh. 2)^-3, surface smooth, or with strong growth lines ; diam. *0.32-0.38, alt. *0.25-0.30. Subfam. Planorbinm. Shell dextral, spire depressed, usually sunken, whorls visible from below. Genus CARINIFEX W. G. Binn. Shell angled, spire terraced, body-whorl narrowed below, mouth subtriangular, umbilicus funnel- shaped. (Animal still unknown.) ^ 27 Newberry i Lea. Wh. 5, with 2 principal and 2 or 3 minor angles (the outer ones sometimes replaced by malleations), suture channeled; diam. *0.55 to 0.70, alt. *0.42 to 0.60. Yar.? minor Cp. Wh. 3, with but two angles, suture not channeled ; diam. 0.30--0.40, alt. 0.15-0.20. Genus PLANORBIS Guett. Spire sunken, outer 2-3 whorls nearly on a plane above, rounded, about as deep as umbilicus, mouth nearly semi-circular, a. a. For convenience of comparison. I consider tlie rioM side tlie top, as did aU the older authors, tJius bringing tlic mouth in the dextral pos^ition. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 99 ^ 1. Only three whorls visible above. 28 subcrenatus Cpr. Wh. 6, rounded, growth lines strong, often giving the outline a crenated appearance, mouth slightly narrowed below ; diam. *1.05, alt. *0.36. Q? gluhmtus Say. Wh. 5, obsoletely rugose, round' d, mouth oblique, sub- oval, several obtuse angles in outline ; diam. 0.80, alt. 0.20. Specimens, common inland, closely resemble this, but may be mbcrenatus. 29 tumens Cpr. Wh. 4-.5, nearly smooth, swollen, beneath more or less angled, narrowing the mouth to an obtuse triangle ; diam. *0.G3. alt. *n.27. 30 H or n i i Tryon. Wh. 5, uniformly rounded, smooth, ends of lip nearly meeting, mouth suborbicular ; diam. *0.84, alt. *0.28. Q? 31. Oregonensis Tryon. Wh. 3, but two visible above, rapidly expanding; diam. *0.36, alt. *0.1G. (Probably young of Helisoma Binneyi.) I 2. Four to five whorls visible above. Q. 32 gracilentus Gld. Wh. 4, the same on both sides, rounded, the last obtusely carinated at middle, mouth oblique oval, wider than high ; diam. *0.o0, alt. 0. 2. Subgenus BELJSOMA Swains. Shell with last whorl much higher than spire, mouth usually higher than wide, sub-angled below, ear-shaped. 33 ammo n Gld. Wb. 4, but 2% visible above, nearly smooth, last whorl and mouth much higher than wide, spire deeply sunken and small ; diam. *0.25- 1.05, alt. *0.60-0.86. Var. ? Traskii Lea. Wh. 5, the two last 6f nearly equal height, less narrowed below ; diam. *1.05, alt. *0.86. 34 c c i d e n t a 1 i s Cp. n. s. Wh. 5-6, nearly all visible above, much nar- rowed and sub-angled below, nearly smooth, mouth little higher than wide, diam. 0.80-1.00, alt. 0.50-0.70. N. B. This has been called trivohis and tenuis, but differs from both in the much greater narrowing of the whorls below (approaching ammoii), and from all, in the larger number visible above in large specimens. From amnion, also, in lower body-whorl. Binney's fig. 193 represents a form of it. Its range extends from Washington Terr, to Kern Lake, and along thcv^oast to San Jos^. Q. 35 Binneyi Tryon, Amer. Jour. Conch. Ill, 1867; corpulentus Hald. 1844, Gould, 1852, W. G. Binney, Land & Freshwater Sliells, II, 1865, 115, fig. 191, 192, not of Say (?) Mouth little higher than wide ; diam. *0.90, alt. *p.65. Tryon gives no diagnostic characters, but the figures look like a small north- ern variety of aminon, not mature, and nearest to var. Traskii which is found at Stockton, etc. Subgenus G YRA UL US Agassiz. Shell small, whorls rounded, some- times flattened below. 36 verraicularis Gld. Wh. 3-4, cylindrical, or oval, upper surface nearly plane, lower more concave ; diam. *0.20, alt. *0.06-0.07. Q. 37 parvus Say. Wh. 4, section sub-angled at periphery, both sur- faces about equally concave ; diam. *0.20, alt. 0:67. 100 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Subgenus 3IENETUS H. & A. Ad. Shell small, flat above, periph- ery, and sometimes the base, angled. 38 opercularis Gld: Wh. 4, rhomboidal in section, upper angle obtuse, with 1 or 2 sub-marginal impressed Hnes, utnbil. sub-angled ; diam. *0.25-0.33, height *0.06. Var. ? planulatus Cp. Higher, rounded below, whorls semilunar in sec- tion, no impressed lines ; diam. *0.25, alt. *0.10. b. Subfam. Latiiim. Shell cryptiforra. with an upper chamber, and a septum dividing the two. Genus GUNDLACHIA Pfeiff. Shell sinistral, sub-patelliform, apex posterior, slightly twisted to the left, projecting as an obtuse spur beyond the margin, and nearly separated from the main shell by an internarSat septum, with a semilunar opening in front (in adult). 39 californica Rwl. Outline sub-oval, widest anteriorly; diam. *0.08, long. *0.16, alt. *0.06. Subfam. AncyUim. Shell patelliform, simple, conical. Genus ANCYLUS Geoff. Shell dextral, shallow, mouth very wide, apex a little to the right, not prolonged backward. 1 1 Apex about one-third the distance from the posterior end. Q 40 crassus Hald. Outline oval, surface obtusely rounded, breadth over .75, height .38 of length : long. *0.32, lat. *0.25, alt. 0.12. QVar. ? Kootaniensis Baird. Posterior slope concave, height .19 of length; long. *0.2.5, lat. 0.18, alt. 0.05. 41 caurinus Cp. Outline elliptical, sides parallel, ajjex acute, posterior slope slightly concave, breadth half, height a third of length ; long. 0.25, lat. 0.12, alt. 0.08. Var. ? fnigilis Tryon. Apex a little more posterior, lower, narrower, an- teriorly wider ; long. *0.16, lat. *0.04, alt. *0-04. (Description prior.) § 2. Apex nearly central. 42 patelloides Lea. Outline elliptic-oval, surface obtusely rounded, ray- striped, breadth tftree-quarters, height half of length ; long. *0.33, lat. *0.25, alt. *0.16. Q. Var. alius Tryon. Outline broad-oval, obtuse conic, one end nar- rower ; long. *0.32, lat. 0.24, alt. 0.16. Q? Var. Newberryi Lea. Unicolor, height not half of length; long. *0.55-0.70, lat. *0.40-0.50, alt. *0.20-0.30. Q? Var. subrotundatus Tryon. Outline nearly circular, breadth over .75, height not half of length ; long. *0.32, lat. *0.26, alt. *0.12. Subgenus ACRULOXUS Beck. Apex directed to the left. Q. 43 N u 1 1 a Hi Hald. Apex a fourth of length from end, breadth nearly equal to, height over a third of length ; long. *0.32, lat. 0.30, alt. 0.12. b. This and Uo. 41 were mentioned without sufficient description in my Nat. Hist, of Washing- ton Terr, etc., 18.59, and I am responsible tor the omission, as my father had left them in his M.SS. report without specific names, which I supplied in tlie proofs. ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 101 Mr. Bolander read the following paper : The Genus Melica in California. BY H. N. BOLANDER. The distribution of the various representatives of the genus Melica affords an interesting indication of climatic differences. By far the largest number of the species, belonging to this characteristic and well-marked genus, are found growing in dry and arid habitats. Of the fifty-seven species known, twenty- seven belong to the countries near or adjoining the Mediterranean Sea, and fourteen to the dry western coast of South and North America. The distribution of our species accords well with these general facts, for east of the Rocky Mountains but one species is known to exist, while California has already yielded eight, and with several very marked varieties. 1. Melica imperfecta Trin. M. c 1 p od i i d e s Nees, Steud. Syn. Plant. Gram., p. 291. A perennial and exceedingly variable grass, growing in deep, loose soil, forming large leafy tufts in lightly shaded places, especially around shrubs and on wooded hillsides. In deep shady woods and thickets it becomes quiie depauperated, and has the habit of an entirely different grass. Cattle touch it only early in spring, when its leaves are yet quite delicate and soft. It is very common on the eastern flanks of the Coast Ranges, north and south of San Francisco— March and May. Melica imperfecta var. fexuosa Bol. This differs from the ordinary forms, in having a very open and simple panicle, with the refJexed branchlets generally in pairs, and few flowered. The flowers are paler and rather more coriaceous, and somewhat larger and acu- minate; on rocks on the road from Mariposa to Clark's, at about 3,500 feet alt., June, 1866. 2. Melica poajoides Nutt. A coarse tufted perennial, drab-colored grass, exceedingly variable in its habit. It usually grows in a hard, dry, clayey soil, of the more dry and arid portions of the valleys of the Coast Ranges. It is, in fact, the counterpart of M. imperfecta in point of selection of habitats. Its culms are mostly tumid and tunicated at the base. On the last day of August, 1866, I collected a large tuft of this grass at the base of a moraine, near Mount Dana, at an altitude of 10,000 feet ; it differs in no point from the more reduced and depauperated forms often found in the hot and dry valleys. This species has apparently a very wide range. It is not touched by cattle. Melica poaoides var. inflatn Bol. Spikelets oblong, cylindrical, 5 to 6 eighths of an inch long, 6 to 8 flowered, uppermost abortive, closely imbricated. % 102 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Plumes unequal, oblong, tapering abruptly into a blunt point, scabrous, dis-' tinctly nerved, broadly hyaline margined (lower 3 to 5, upper T-nerved). Palets unequal ; lower oblong (0.43 inch long) distinctly 7-nerved, (the three central excurrent, the others evanescent) scabrous and tuberculate, broadly hyaline margined toward the apex ; lower about one-third shorter, pyriform, obtuse, coriaceous, tuberculate, ciliate. Anthers three, (i^ of an inch long). Root tuberous; fibres tomentose. Culms rarely ctespitose, 3 to 6 feet high, erect, terete, canaliculate, smooth and leafy. Sheaths scabrous, the lower longer and the upper shorter than their internodes. Ligules exserted, lacerated. Leaves lanceolate, one-eighth of an inch wide, 7 to 10 inches long, scabrous. Panicle oblong, simple, 6 to 10 inches long, interrupted ; branchlets very un- equal, generally in fours, of which one is much longer than the rest, usually spreading and many flowered, ■while the others are unequally short and one or few flowered ; the rachis and branchlets angular and retrorsely scabrous. Quite common in dry soil, in the upper part of Yosemite Valley, 4,000 feet alt. July, 185C. (My number 6,121 of Catalogue, 1867.) 3. Me lie a Harfordii Bol. Root perennial, fibrous ; fibres tomentose. Culms csespitose, terete, lower internodes declining, then erect, 3 to 6 feet high, glaucous, generally smooth, but sometimes • scabrous, leafy, (4 to 7). Sheaths smooth or .scabrous, lower ones longer, and the upper ones shorter than their internodes. Ligules short and obtuse. Leaves lanceolate, 6 to 14 inches long and ^4 of an inch wide, on the inside, as well as on the margins, retrorsely scabrous. Panicle 6 to 12 inches long, %-% inch wide, claviform, interrupted especially below, but more dense and compact towards the apex, branchlets in series of twos and threes, short, unequal and closely appressed, single or few flowered. Rachis and branchlets scabrous. Spikelets oblong, cylindrical, ^o to ^8 'of an inch long, 5 to 8-flowered, uppermost abortive. Plumes unequal, obtuse, membranaceous, distinctly nerved, lower unequal, upper nearly equally, .5-nerved. Palets oblong ; lower coriaceous, but slightly scarious margined, 5 to 7-nerved. The middle nerve is generally extended into a short scabrous awn, obtuse or refuse, scabrous, pubescent especially on the margins ; lower palet j^ shorter, obtuse or retuse, ciliate. Wooded hillsides, Santa Cruz road, near Lexington, June, 1865. (My num- ber .53 of small sets of grasses.) Redwood, on the upper Mattole River, June, 1867. (Xo. 6,464.) Shady debris, Yosemite Valley, June, 1866. Bear Val- ley, Nevada County, (4,.500 feet alt.) on rocks and debris, June, 1869. It gives me great pleasure to name this beautiful species in honor of W. Gr. W. Harford, a very zealous co-laborer in natural history for several years. Although the gentleman devotes most of his time to conchology, yet he has constantly embraced every opportunity to collect largely botanical specimens. He explored some of our northwestern counties, visited the coast south of San Francisco, and the Sierras in Mariposa County. Last summer he also made a large collection of botanical specimens in Oregon, along the Columbia River. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 103 4. Melica aristata Thurh. Root perennial ; fibres smooth or tomeutose. Culms cfespitose, 2 to 3i.^ feet high, leafy, erect, terete, canaliculate. Sheaths strongly pubescent or smooth, the lower longer than their internodes. Ligules exserted. Leaves 3 to 4 inches long, 2 to 3 sixteenths of an inch wide, lanceolate, strongly pubescent, or smooth (the smooth ones retrorsely scabrous). Panicle very simple, 5 to 8 inches long, erect, contracted, interrupted ; the lower rather distant series of branchlets in twos or threes, upper single. Branchlets unequal, short, (two single flowered, the other few flowered) appressed, (but spreading while flowering), angular, sca- brous. Spikelet-, .t to 6 eighths of an inch long, oblong, 4 to 5 flowered, upper- most abortive. Plumes unequal, oblong, obtuse, scabrous, scarious margined ; lower three, upper distinctly 5 nerved, (all save the central evanescent). Palets unequal ; lower oblong, scabrous, emarginate, scarious margined, 7-nerved, the central one of which is prolonged into a scabrous, erect awn, about the length of the palet ; upper oblong, refuse, ciliate at the apex. Stamens three. (Number 4,861, Catalogue, 1867.) Loose soil in open woods near Clark's, 4,000 feet altitude, 1866. In a similar habitat, Yosemite Valley, June, 1866. In loose soil along the Central Pacific Railroad, from Shady Canon to Leaves }{ of an inch wide, long, slender, scabrous. Spikelets loosely 5 to 7 flowered (4 to 7 eighths of an inch long), uppermost abortive, tinged with purple. Anthers three, ig of an inch long. This tall tufted grass has very much the hat)it of a Bromus. It develops most beautifully in loose soil, in the open woods and park-lands of the Russian River Valley, where it forms large tufts and attains a height of 5-6 feet. April, 1864. Common on the Coast Ranges. It has been asserted that clavate or bulbous roots of grasses were owing to a hard compact soil. This assertion does not hold good in California, for our 104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA species having tuberous roots (M. poceoides var. iuflata Bol. ; M. fugax ; M. Geyeri), occur iu rather loose soils. 6. M e 1 i c a acuminata Bnl. Number 4,698 of Catalogue, 1867, enumerated as M. po^oides var. acumi- nata Bol. Boot perennial, tuberous ; fibres tomentose. Culms generally single, 2 to 3% feet high, terete, smooth. Sheaths scabrous. Ligules very small, lacerated. Panicle rather compact and close, claviform, erect 5 to 8 inches long. Branchlets 2 to 5, short, unequal, appressed, few-flowered, the shortest single- flowered. Ra- chis and branchlets angular and scabrous. Spikelets lanceolate, very loosely imbricated, 4 to 6-flowered, uppermost abor- tive, ^4 of an inch long. Plumes unequal, acuminate, hyafine, tinged with purple; lower 1-, upper 3-nerved [^ of inch long), slightly scabrous on the nerves. Palets very unequal ; lower lanceolate, acuminate {}{ inch long) distinctly 7 nerved, pubescent, hyaline margins exceedingly narrow ; upper obtuse or refeuse, much shorter than the lower, ciliate. Anthers three 0.06 of inch long. Redwoods near the seacoast in Mendocino County, May, 1866. 7. Melica stricta Bol. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Vol. Ill, p. 4. This species forms large tufts on the shaded debris in Yosemite Valley (1 to 2 feet high). It differs from the eastern species M. mutica in being much smaller, in having a simple erect panicle and larger acuminate flowers. 8. Melica fugax Bol. Root tuberous ; fibres smooth. Culms csespitose or single, 18 inches to 2 feet high, slender, pubescent, about three-leaved. Sheaths pubescent, the lower one longer than its internode. Ligules short and lacerated. Leaves 3 to 5 inches long, and about }{ of an inch wide, lanceolate, pubescent and scabrous on the margins. Panicle 3 to 6 inches long, erect, very simple and open, lower series of branch- lets in threes, upper in twos, very unequal, divergent or reflexed, single or few- flowered, the central one reduced to a mere pedicel, bearing a single spikelet. Rachis and branchlets angular and scabrous. Spikelets }4 to )4 of an inch long, 3 to 5-flowered, uppermost abortive, flow- ers loosely imbricated and articulated, breaking away very easily, even while flowering. Glumes unequal (the lower about }^ shorter), obtiise; the lower distinctly 3-, the upper 5-nerved. Palets nearly equal ; lower 7-nerved, scab- rous ; upper (sub lente) ciliate margined. Apparently common on dry, sandy soil among "sage brush" (Artemisia), near Donner Lake ; also, on dry hillsides on the road to Lake Tahoe. June, 1869. This species has very niuch the aspect of a Poa. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 105 Annual Meeting, January 3d, 1870. President in the Chair, Thirty members present. The following gentlemen were elected Honorary Members Prof. Henry Milne Edwards, Paris, France. Prof. Robert Bunsen, Heidelberg, Germany. Prof. H. L. F. Helmholtz, Berlin, Germany. Prof. Jas. D. Dana, New Haven, Conn. Dr. Jeffries Wyman, Boston, Mass. Dr. George Engelmann, St. Louis, Mo. Prof. Benjamin Pierce, Cambridge, Mass. Prof. T. H. Huxley, London, England. Dr. J. D. Hooker, London, England. The President read his usual annual address, which was very satisfactory as to the condition of the Academy, etc. The Treasurer read his report, stating that the Academy was free from debt for the first time in many years. The report of the Director of the Museum showed an improve- ment in that department of the Academy. The Librarian's Report showed that the whole library had been re-arranged by Dr. Cooper, and the foreign works all catalogued, in addition to those in the English language before catalogued by ]Mr. E. Brooks. Also, that the number of books received from all sources, was annually increasing, being 189 the past year, and only 59 in 1868, though it was considered expedient by the Coun- cil to stop the subscription to most of the periodicals taken for two years past and to offer in exchange the publications of the Academy to those of them not before on the exchange list. The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year: Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 8 Apr. 18T1. 106 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA PRESIDENT. Dr. J. BLAKE. VICE PRESIDENT. Dr. a. KELLOGG. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. LEO ELOESSER. RECORDING SECRETARY. H. P. CARLTON. TREASURER. ELISHA BROOKS. LIBRARIAN. Dr. J. G. COOPER. DIRECTOR OF MUSEUM. H. G. BLOOMER. A discussion on the subject of earthquakes occupied the rest of the evening. Regular Meeting, January 17th, 1870. President in the Chair. Twenty-five members present. Mr. J. C. Brevoort of Long Island, N. Y., was elected a corres- ponding member. Mr. Donald Bruce was elected a resident member. Donations to the Museum : Fishes and Crustaceans bj Mr. Harford from Ounalaska Island. A specimen of Buccinum ceru- leum from Plover Bay, Kamtschatka, by Dr. Cooper. A model of a mining shaft in Ballarat, Australia, representing the formations found to a depth of 200 feet, by Mr. Bloomer. The fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant from Mexico was exhibited by Dr. E. Palmer, of the U. S. Agricultural Bureau, who stated that it germinates on the surface of the ground, and was eatable. Donations to the Library : Books from Australia, through Dr. E. Miiller, being duplicates of the proceedings of Societies, etc., re- ceived from there last year. Fragmenta Phytographite Australii» Nos. 44 and 45, pam. 8vo. by Dr. E. Miiller from the author. Prof. Whitney concluded his account of the exploration of South Park, Colorado, and read a letter fi'om Baron llichthofen, giving further notes of his geological surveys in China. ':iV' ,••' •^v ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 107 Prof. Bolandcr, made some remarks on the grasses of the genus Melica in addition to his published paper. Dr. E. Palmer gave an interesting account of his journeys in Arizona and Sonora, the habits of the Indian tribes, and of the ruins of their ancient towns, with the relics which he had found in them. Dr. Stout exhibited some globular concretions from Calaveras County, near Mokelumne Hill, and others from Fossil Hill, Nevada. He contended that some of them were composed of volcanic mate- rials and had been formed by being thrown out from craters in a melted stated to a great height, then falling in water, by which their shape was produced, as in the manufacture of leaden shot. Regular Meeting, February 7th, 1870. President in the Chair. Twenty-two members present. Prof. Williams, Col. C. D. Gibbes, Abner Doble, Thomas Nelson, and Charles C. Rueger, were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : 25 species of land shells of Panama, etc., by Dr. Palmer through Mr. Harford. A large collection of Oregon and Californian plants by Dr. Kellogg, collected by himself? Prof. Bolander and Mr. Harford. Donations to the Library. — The following foreign exchanges and donations were received through the Smithsonian Institute, viz : Zoolog. Miscel. Nos. 14 and 15, 1867-8, two pam. 8vo.; Beitrage zur Fauna von Nikobar, II., 1868, pam. Svo.; Uber Schraetterlings Selbstsfanger, 1868, pam. 8vo.; Uber EaiimwollschHtllings Egyptiens, 1868, pam. 8vo.; Uber Drelikraukheit bei Gemsem, 1868, pam. Svo. — all by G. von Frauenfeld, Vienna. Untersuch iibcr die Constitution der AtmosphJire, Dr. H. Gyldeu, 1868; Beobacht des gross Kunsten von 1861, 0. Struve, 1868; Beitr. zur Entwickelungs der Libelluliden u. Hemipteren, A. Brandt, 1869 ; Uber die Halsrippcn der Menschcn, Dr. W. Gruber, 1869 ; Al Farabis' Leben, etc., M. Steinschneider, 1869 ; Die Lehre von der Gymnospermie in Pflanzenreiche, G. Sperk, 1869 ; Beitrage zur Anat. der Schiidelgrundes, Dr. W. Gruber, 1869 ; Histoire Chronol. dArmeuie, M. Brosset, 1869 ; Uber Liuaritkrystalle, N. von 108 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Kokscbarow, 1869 ; 8 vols. 4to. from Acad. Imper. des Sciences de St. Peters- burg-. Bulletin de I'Acad. Imper. des Sc. Nat. de St. Petersburg, XIIT., p. 321 to 588, 4to.; five 8vo. works in Russian from the Roy. Geog. Soc. of St. Peters- burg ; Arbeit, des Naturforsch. Vereins zu Riga, Heft 2, 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Correspondenz of same, 1869, 1 v. 8vo.; Uber Asplenium adulterinum, G. von Mesel, Brunn., 1868, pam. Svc; Zur Geschichte der Pfiege der Xaturwissen. in-Mahren & Schlesien C. R. d'EInert, Brunn, 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Verhandl. der Naturwiss. Vereins in Preuss. Rheinland und Westphalien, Bonn, 1868, 2 v. 8vo.; Abhandl. der Kon. Bohmiscb. Gesellscb. der Wissensch. 1 v. 4to.; Sitz- ungsbericbte, 2 v. 8vo., Prague, 1868-9 ; Yerbandl. der Scbweiz Naturforsch. Gesell. in Einsedln, 52d Versamm. 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Verhandl. der Phys. Med. Gesell. in Wurzburg, Band 1, heft 3, 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Abhandl. der Natur- wiss. Vereins zu Bremen, Band 2, heft 1, 1869, 1 v. 8vo.; Berichte der Naturforsch. Gesell. zu Bamberg, Nos. 2 to 8, 3 v. 4to. and 4 Svo., 1854-'68 ; Sitzungsber. der Kais. Akad. Wissensch., Vienna, 5 hefte 8vo.. 1868-9. Nederlands Meteoroi. Jaarboek, 1 v. 8vo.; 1868; Der Zoolog. Garten, Frank- furt a'M., 6 pts., 1869 ; Scbrift. der Naturforsch. Gesell. in Danzig, 1867, 1 v. Svo. Oversigt. Kongl. Dansk. Videusk. Selsk. Copenhagen, 1867-9, 3 v. 8vo.; Kongl. Svenska Vetensk. Akad. Handl., b. 5 to 7, Stockholm, 1864-7,4 v. 4to.; Lefnadsteckningar afver K. S. Veten. Akad., B. 1, 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Eugenics Resa, Ileft 12, Zool. Inscckter, E. Hobngren, Stockholm, 1863, 1 v. 4to.; Meteorologiske lagtaggelscr, 1864-6, Christiania, 3 v. 4to.; Oversigt. Kongl. Vetensk. Akad. Abhandl., vols. 22 to 25, 1865-'68, 4 v. 8vo.; Sketch of Geology of Spitzbergen, A. E. Nordenskiold, Stockholm, 1867, 1 v. 8vo.; Hemiptera Africana, C. Sliil, Stockholm, 1864-'66, 4 v. 8vo.; Conspectus Avium Picinarum, C. J. Sundevali, Stockholm, 1866, 1 v. 8vo.; Die Tbierarten des Aristoteles, by same, do. 1860, 1 v. Svo.; On the existence of rocks con- taining organic substances in gneiss of Sweden, Stockholm, 1867, pam. Svo.; Astronoraische Mittheilungen, Gottingen, 1839, 1 v. 4to.; Essai Monographique sur les Oxybel du Bassin du Leman, F. Chevrier, Schaffbausen, 1868, pam. 8vo,; Description de deux Chrysides, by same, do. 1868, pam. 8vo.; Bulletin de la Soc. Imp. des Naturalistes de Moscow, 1868, Nos. 2-3, Svo.; Archives de la Societe Hollandaise des Sciences, vols. 1 to 3, La Haye, 1866, et Catal. de la Bibliotheque, 1 v.; Bulletin de la Societe des Sciences Naturellesde Neucbatel, VIII., 1, 1868, 1 V. Svo. Melanges Orthopterologiques, 2d fasc. 1869, Hymenopteres divers du Musee Goddefroy, pam. 8vo., Essai d'un Systeme des Mantides, pam. Svo., all by H. de Saussure, Geneva. Also the following through the Swedish Consul : Kong. Nor^ke Frederiks Universitets Aarsberetning, 1867, 1 v. Svo.; Tre Akademiske Taler, M. J. Monrad, Christiania, 1863, 1 v. Svo.; Udstillings Sager fra Norge i Stockholm, 1868, pam. 4to. , Dr. Stout read a letter from the Royal Academy of Christiania, Norway, to Consul-General G. C. John^n, accompanying a dona- ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 109 tion of a beautiful bronze medal to this Academy, with the inscrip- tion, " Ex haustu Olympico valentior." A vote of thanks to the Consul-General was unanimously passed for his agency in establishing a friendly interest towards this Academy in his fellow-countrymen, and a committee appointed to draw up a suitable letter in reply to that of the Royal Academy. Dr. Behr read a paper on the extinction of plants in the neighbor- hood of San Francisco by the progress of settlement and the en- croachment of foreign weeds. President Blake read a paper on pre-historic man, being an ab- stract of a paper by Carl Vogt, read before the Ethnological So- ciety of Copenhagen last year. In discussing the subject of Dr. Blake's paper, Mr. Bloomer read an abstract from the address of President Stokes before the British Association, to prove that man was not the product of gradual pro- gressive development, but of special creation. Dr. Gibbons exhibited twenty-seven species of plants, collected recently in flower on the Oakland hills, as an example of the Flora of February in this part of California ; also, a piece of concretionary sandstone from the same hills, much resembling a redwood stump petrified, showing numerous layers like those in wood. Prof. Whitney made some remarks upon an interesting memoir by Prof. Sars, on the living crinoids dredged by Prof. W. B. Car- penter and others, at a depth of 4,300 feet, in the North Atlantic, exhibiting a copy of the work. Regular Meeting, February 21st, 1870. Vice-President in the Chair. Thos. W. Newcomb and A. A. Hazeltine were elected resident members. Donations to the Library : The following very valuable works were presented by B. M. Hartshorne : Flora Javse et Rumphia, C. L. Blume, 1828-1836, 7 vols., folio ; the same, new series, Orchidei^, 1858, 1 vol., foho ; The Fishes of Malabar, Dr. F. Day, London, 1851, 1 vol., 4to.; The British Sea-Anemones and Corals, P. H. IIQ PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Gosse, London, 1860, 1 vol., 8vo. Also, from the authors, Report of Chief of Engbeers, U. S. A., Wash., 1868, 1 vol., 8vo.; Trans- Atlantic Longitude, B. A. Gould, Wash., National Observat., 1869, 1 vol., 4to.; Supplementary Index to vols. I. to XII. of Obs. on Unio, etc., I. Lea, L. L. D., Philad, 1869., pam. 4to. Mr. Easton gave a verbal account of his theory as to the structure of the coast mountains, supposing that beds of coal exist in them at nearly regular intervals between the spurs running into the ocean, and that this formation extends to the Isthmus, where the lateral valleys form natural passages for ship canals across from ocean to ocean. Prof. Whitney read a paper on the Northern drift formation, in- tended for publication in an Eastern journal. Regular Meeting, March 7th, 1870. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : Mr. A. H. Titcomb presented two specimens, supposed to be the globes of human eyes dried into hard balls, taken from the graves of Chilian aborigines that were opened by the great earthquake two years ago. These on examination proved to be vegetable productions. Dr. Blake read the following remarks on the climate of California. Remarks on the Climate of California. BY JAMES BLAKE, M. D. In offering a few observations on the general features of the climate of Cali- fornia, I am aware that up to the present time materials have not been collected to enable us to take in the atmostpheric changes that take place on this coast, in one comprehensive survey. The absence of any extended system of meteorolog- ical observations in this State will prevent my doing more than tracing what I consider to be the broader outlines of the peculiarities of our climate, and I trust I shall be able to point out, on the one hand, the laws on which they depend, and also the support they afford to certain theoretical considerations which still require further evidence for their acceptance. There can be no doubt but that our geographical position and the configuration of our country render this part of the globe one of the most important fields for meteorological observations, and I trust before long that we shall be able to organize a comprehensive plan for carrying them out throughout the State and in the adjoining States and ter- ritories. Before proceeding to the immediate object of ray communication, it ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. Ill may be well to recall to mind tbe more general laws which govern the atmos- pheric movements — laws which are as invariable and determinate in their action as the ordinary changes of the weather are apparently capricious. It is well known that a current, or currents, of cold air are always flowing from the colder regions of the earth towards the Equator, and currents of heated air are as constantly flowing from the region of the Equator towards the Poles. At from 25° to 30° of the Equator the Polar currents are found spread out over the whole surface of the ocean, constituting the northeast Trades to the north of the Equator and the southeast Trades in the Southern Hemisphere. These two vast bodies of air that are constantly flowing towards the Equator from the Poles, are separated from each other near the Equator by a belt known as the region of calms. There, there is hardly any horizontal movement in the at- mosphere. The air, now heated and loaded with moisture, which has been flowing from each side towards this point, ascends into the upper region of the atmosphere, and, as the southwest anti-trade, commences its journey again towards the Poles. Thus a constant movement of currents in opposite direc- tions is for ever going on in the atmosphere. In the region of the Trade Winds these two currents pursue their course in a quiet sort of way — the Polar current below ,the Equatorial current above — rarely interfering with each other. When, however, we pass beyond the region of the Trades, these currents no longer occupy the same relative positions. The warm moist current as it flows into higher latitudes finds itself compressed laterally on account of the smaller circles of longitude, and the Polar current has to spread itself out horizontally in order to cover a larger surface as it approaches the Equator. From this cause, and possibly for other reasons which are not discovered, the upper current now comes down to the surface in certain points, forming as it were a channel for itself through diSerent parts of the Polar current. The two currents do not mingle indiscriminately. There seem to be large continuous portions of the earth's surface which are occupied by one current, whilst running parallel, although in an opposite direction, is a broad current which occupies another large portion of the surface. The breadth of these currents and the points they usually occupy on the surface of the earth are data which are still undeter- mined, but it has been found as a general rule that the cold, or Polar currents prevail more in the interior of the larger continents, while the Equatorial cur- rents mostly reach the Poles over the surface of the larger oceans and the lands near the coasts. There can be no doubt that the climate of any country is most essentially influenced by the position it occupies as regards these vast streams of atmosphere — places situated within the Polar stream enjoying a dry climate and those in the Equatorial stream a moist climate — and did these streams always occupy the same positions on the earth's surface, the dryness, or humidity of a place would depend on its geographical position. But these two currents, although well marked in their general boundaries, by no means pursue their course without influencing each other, on the one hand and on the other, without being strongly affected by tbe orological features of the regions they traverse. It is not here the place to enter into the minutiaj of these phenomena, even as far as they are now known, and up to the present time 112 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA they have been but very imperfectly studied. All I wish now to point out is that the edges of these currents, or where they meet, is frequently the seat of vio- lent atmospheric disturbances, either in the form of cyclones or from large masses of the warmer and colder currents breaking into each other sideways and thus interpenetrating for considerable distances, causing storms of wind and rain. The direction of the mountain ranges in a country in relation to these currents also exerts a marked influence on the general character of the climate. On this con- tinent, where the direction of our mountain ranges being more nearly parallel to these currents, they are subject to less disturbance than in the old continent, where the direction of the mountain chains is more directly opposed to the course of the air current. I will now endeavor to point out how the character of our seasons, as regards the rainfall, is dependent on these air currents. In ordin- ary seasons there can be no doubt but that the rainfall is determined to a great extent by the vertical mixing, so to speak, of these currents— the upper Equa- torial current reaching the surface and breaking into the northerly current at different places and at short intervals. But seasons occasionally occur in which these currents, instead of frequently intermingling, pursue their course in broad continuous belts, extending sometimes for thousands of miles, and flow in these broad belts for months together without much lateral or vertical displacement. It is such a condition of the atmosphere that gives rise to extreme seasons, par- ticularly in those countries which usually have winter rains and which happen to be within a Polar current at this season of the year. We will now consider the connection of these currents with the climate of our State. During the summer months the whole of the State is generally within the region of the Northeast Trade, which, however, does not prevail as such on account of the barrier offered by the Sierra to the East and to the other ranges of mountains running southeast and northwest, so that when we have a north wind it is usually deflected in a westerly direction. These winds prevail to a much greater extent in the interior valleys than in the western border of the State, although at a short distance from the shore northerly currents prevail during the whole summer. [Our local westerly and southwesterly winds in summer are undoubtedly a sort of monsoon, caused by the rarefaction of the air in the interior. Their low temperature is owing, in part, to their being north- erly winds that have not been heated by their passage over any great extent of heated land, and also to the cold sea current that flows along our coast.] Dur- ing the winter the Equatorial current reaches the surface about in the latitude of our State and mixing with the colder Polar current, causes our winter rains. We then have frequent storms with strong southeast winds, for although the Equatorial current is a southwest current, and shows itself as such in Europe— and even in Nevada, directly over the Sierra— yet, here it is deflected to a southeast current by the mountain barrier of the Sierra.* Such are the gen- » It is uudoubtedly owing to tliis cause that thunder storms are so rare in our State, the Sierras opposing a barrier to the sudden lateral intrusion of masses of cold, dry air into the Eiiuatorial current. The same cause also probably accounts for the slight fluctuations of the barometer which are observed in our southerly storms, the air being heaped up against tlie mountain barrier, and thus causing an increased pressure.or at least counterbalancing, to some extent, the fail that would otherwise take place. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 113 eral features of oiu- climate in ordinary years, but in those seasons in M^Iuch the Equatorial and Polar currents run in broad belts, \ve either have a very dry season when wholly within the northern current, or a warm, moist season when in the southern current, or, such is the extent of our State in latitude, that one portion of it can be within the Polar current and another portion within the Equatorial current during the greater part of the winter, and then we have rains in one part of the State and drought in another part. A rough sketch of the weather during the present winter, not only in this State but across the continent, will afford an illustration of the prevalence of these opposite currents over a large extent of country, and the character of the seasons depending on them. The accompanying diagram will illustrate the tracts of country over which these different air-currents prevailed. About the middle of October we had a portion of the Equatorial current in the northern part of the State, but previously to this the current had been blowing over Oregon and Washington Territory, causing very heavy rains there in September and the earlier part of October. After this we had nothing like a southerly gale until February ; but during most of this time, and particularly during the earlier part of the winter, the Equatorial current was blowing at a distance of three or four hundred miles from the coast, and was impinging on the coast of Oregon. Almost every ship that arrived in the harbor during November and the earlier part of December, reported having experienced very heavy weather at some distance from the coast, to the westward and about the mouth of the Columbia, north of us. One ship towards the middle of December reported being caught in a cyclone, in which the barometer fell to 28. 54 in., said to be the lowest point ever reached by the barometer on these shores. During the whole of this period, or from October until February, almost the entire State was under the Trade or Polar current ; the southern part of the State com- pletely so, whilst in the northern and middle portions of the State occasional eruptions of moist air broke in from the northward and westward, giving us light fog-rains and a great deal of foggy weather. These rains were partial and very different in their chai-acter and distribution from the true rains of the fully established Equatorial current. They were heavier along the coast, particularly towards their southern border, where the western current seems to have been entirely kept back from the interior by the coast range of mountains, no rain falling in the Salinas Valley, although on the mountains on the western side of the valley there were copious showers. As these partial currents passed to the eastward less rain fell (at Sacramento 6.8 inches to 11 inches in San Francisco, and still less in the mountains), the very reverse of what takes place in a rain from a full Equatorial current, when the rainfall is always greater in the mountains. While this has been the state of the weather during the greater part of the winter in this State, we find that to the eastward as far as Omaha this same northerly current has generally prevailed^ — at least concluding such to be the fact from the absence of snow in the interior of the continent — whilst again to the east of this, and extending to the Atlantic coast, a warm Equatorial current has prevailed since October, when its irruption was marked by excessive rains, causing great damage. This current seems to have maintained its 114 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA position during the whole winter, causing the mild season that has prevailed in the Eastern States. At its western border, when this warm current comes into contact with the Polar current, great atmospheric disturbances have been produced — some of the most destructive tornadoes ever known in this country having ravaged portions of the Mississippi States during the present winter. Thus, at the two ed^es of the northern current, both to the westward of our shores and in the Western States, where it comes into contact with the warmer southerly stream, great atmospheric disturbances have taken place ; whilst in that part of the surface of the continent where the central parts of the currents prevailed, the weather has been much more settled. In the Eastern States, where the southern current prevailed, they have had south winds, warm atmosphere, and plenty of rain ; whilst in the interior of the continent, and on this portion of the coast, north winds have prevailed, with a general absence of rain and snow. This state of things continued, with but little disturbance, until about the 7th of February. The occasional rain we had, had been comparatively light, with north and northwestern winds — more copious to the north and along the coast, but not reaching the southern portion of the State, where the edge of the south- western current was much farther from the coast than it was more to the north, as is shown on the diagram. On the 7th of February I noticed cirrus moving rapidly from the southwest, although the sky was otherwise clear and the barometer high. On the 8th the barometer commenced falling, and cumulo-stratus formed to a considerable extent — the wind from the west. By this time the southern current had struck the northern part of the State, as it commenced raining heavily at Treka on the 8th— in the evening. At Salem, in Oregon, a heavy rain-storm had begun on the 7th. The southwestern current reached the surface here at about 11 a.m. by a sudden gust of wind from the west, almost a tornado lasting for a short time and accompanied by slight rain in large drops. At Virginia City the current seems to have reached the surface earlier, owing probably to its elevation. At 4 A.M. there was quite a hurricane there from the southwest, lasting for some hours. Here we did not get the full force of the current until 4 p.m., when it commenced blowing hard from the southeast, and blew until 9 p.m., with rain showers. The full force of the wind did not reach Stockton and Sacramento until six hours after it was felt here, and Los Angeles until the next day, and about the same time at which it reached Elko, some six hundred miles beyond Virginia. The Equatorial current did not reach so far south as San Diego. For some days after this we had variable weather and a moderate fall of rain, the polar current again prevailing, although at the same time in Oregon there were strong southwest winds and a great deal of rain. On the 16th a strong northeast wind prevailed, causing the coldest day of the winter. The barometer rose to 30. 31, and the whole of the State seemed again under the influence of the dry and cold Polar current. On the 17th cirri again began to form, with a strong southwest upper current. This, however, did not reach the surface until the 19th, at which time a heavy rain-storm was prevailing in Oregon. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 115 Here the air was comparatively calm during the 18th, 19th, and until about noon of the 20th, when we fell under the full influence of the Equatorial current, with a strong south wind and heavy rain. On this occasion the Equatorial current readied beyond the southern border of the State, heavy rains falling at San Diego, and more rain falling in the mountains than on the coast. Whilst this western edge of the Polar current was yielding to the Equatorial, we find that its eastern border was moving to the eastward, displacing the Equatorial current that had been prevailing in the Eastern States. As the data I have collected on this point have been obtained only from the few facts telegraphed to the newspapers, they are necessarily imperfect. On the 19 th a cold northern gale was prevailing at Memphis ; on the 20th a very heavy freshet in Maine ; and on the 21st the weather on the Atlantic border was the coldest of the season, evidently caused by the lateral displacement, eastward, of the Polar cur- rent. How far these movements are connected with atmospheric changes taking place on other parts of the surface of the earth, it is difficult at present to say. I would merely remark that at the time of the descent of the Equatorial current on this coast, or about the 8th and 9th of February, very bad weather was experienced on the Atlantic, and on the 12th a northeast wind prevailed over most of the west part of Europe, causing great cold. As regards the existence of these currents in other years, the only data I have been able to compare are some obtained from the Army Medical Reports. I have taken the quantity of rain that fell at Fort Snelling, latitude 44°, longitude 93^, and at West Point, latitude 41^', longitude 74^, in two seasons, corresponding to two of our rather extreme seasons, viz : 49.50 for a dry season, and 52.53 for a wet one. When we are fully under the influence of the Polar current, and but very little rain falls, it would be highly probable that Fort Snelling would be pretty well in the Equatorial current, and would have at least the average amount of rain ; and on the other hand, when we are well under the Equatorial current, and have a wet season. Fort Snelling would probably be well in the Polar current, and would have a dry season. The quantity of rain at the Fort during our rainy months, October to April, inclusive, was in 1849-50, our dry season, 5.28 inches, whilst during the same months 1852-53, our wet season, but 1.95 inches fell, thus supporting the theory of the prevalence of air currents for considerable periods over the same surface. There can be no doubt but that there are two ways in which these different currents of air become mixed, so that moisture is deposited. In the first place, by the upper current breaking through the under current, and thus reaching the earth's surface having its temperature lowered and its vapor condensed. It is this that affords the usual explanation of our rain storms ; but I believe a more careful investigation of the facts will show that the greater part of our storms are due to the mixing of the currents by lateral displacement, at least in the Temperate Zone. These currents, as before stated, often occupy large areas of the earth's surface over which they flow, apparently but slightly disturbed for considerable periods, interfering with each other only at their borders or where they come into contact laterally — here great atmospheric dis- turbances take place ; whilst in the center of the current the weather maintains the character peculiar to the current, whether Polar or Equatorial. In the 116 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA former there will be but little rain, aud a cool, dry atmosphere ; in the latter a warm and moist atmosphere, and generally a free rainfall, although it is where the edges or sides of the currents touch that the greatest fall of rain will be found to take place. There can be no doubt but that these currents are subject to periodical and, apparently, also accidental displacements. Of the former we at present know nothing, or at least but very little, and of the latter but few observations have been made. Muhry and Dove, the German Meteorologists, have recorded some instances of this displacement which accompanied European storms ; but from the disturbing influences that on the old continent interfere with the regular movements of the air currents, it is probable that this continent will afford the best field for these investigations when the attention of observers shall be more fully directed to these general movements instead of being too exclusively devoted to the registering of the less important local changes in temperature and pressure. If ever meteorology is to become a really useful science to the agriculturist, it is in this direction, I think, its advantage will be secured. There can be no doubt but that questions of the greatest importance connected with agriculture, particularly in this State, are dependent on the existence and position of these air currents ; and if ever any scientiflc foundation for predicting the weather is obtained, I am convinced it will be by ascertaining the laws that govern the movements of these vast air belts that carry with them seasons of plenty or of famine. From even a very imperfect series of observations made in connection with this subject since I have been in California, I am con- vinced that its more thorough investigation will lead to a scientific basis of weather predictions, as regards the general character of the seasons ; and now that a telegraph extends over so large a part of the northern hemisphere, we are in a much better position than ever before to complete our knowledge of the laws that govern the movements of these vast air currents. Observation has already shown that the lateral displacements of these broad air currents are intimately connected with each other, but we are still completely ignorant of the laws that regulate their distribution in longitude, and why in some seasons they occupy continuously broad portions of the earth's surface whilst in other seasons they seem to be constantly mixing, both vertically and laterally, on the same portions of the globe. As to the breadth of these currents, they undoubtedly vary in different seasons. This year the breadth of the Polar current, on this continent, would be about 1,200 miles, whilst the Equatorial current to the east extended from the western border of the Mississippi Yalley to the Atlantic. I regret not having the data to compare the rainfall at different points of the continent for the years 1861-2 and 1863-4, two of the most marked seasons we have had. I have brought the subject before the Academy in this imperfect state in the hope of attracting more attention to this particular branch of meteorology. Dr. Behr presented a piece of wood of an unknown kind from Mexico, having the odor of the " Lemon Verbena " (^Aloysia) and the East Indian Aquilaria, a valuable wood. academy of sciences. 117 Regular Meeting, March 21st, 1870. President in the Chair. Dr. Wm. P. Gibbons, of Alameda, and S. H. Herring were elected resident members. Donation to the Museum : Dr. H. Gibbons, Jr., presented a piece of Oregon fir and a larva of a beetle, probably Ergates spicidatus, that had bored several in- ches in the wood. Donations to the Library : On Lepetidaj, W. H. Dall, Philad, 1870, patn. 8vo.; Ann. de la Soc. p]u- teraologique Beige, vols. 1 to 12, 1857-1868, 12 vols., 8vo.: Aun. de la Soc. Malacologique de Belgique, vols. 1 to 3,1863-68, 3 vols., 8vo.; 43 Pamphlets, by the Baron de Selys Lougchamps, on Phenom. Period, de la Rogue animal, 4to.; Mammifercs du Brabant, 4to.; Micromamalogie, Paris, 1839, 8vo.; Cal- giidrier de Faune en Belgique, 1852, 1854; Animaux utiles a I'agriculture, 1866; Faune Beige, 1st part, 1842; Hybrides anatinees, 1856 ; Oiseaux Americaines admis dans la faune de 1' Europe ; Catalogue des Oiseaux de 1' Europe; 16 others on mammals, birds and fishes, with 14 on insects and note on Populus raonilifera, by the same author ; De la class des Fougeres, J. E. Bommer, Paris, 1869, 1 vol., 8vo.; Les Platanes et leur culture, by same, Brussels, 1869, 1 vol., 8vo.; Instructions pour recueillir Mollusques par Dr. J. Lewis, Mohawk, N. Y., traduit par J. L. Weyers, Brussels, pam. 8vo. Dr. Cooper made extracts from a paper of Baron de Selys Long- champs on hybrids occurring naturally among various wild birds of the family Anatidce. He also stated that instances were lately published in the "Ann. de la Soc. Mai. de Belgique" of snails reviv- ing after a torpidity of ten years in a cabinet ; and also that Mr. Gabb had found the eggs of Limax Coliimhianus to hatch after being kept in a box three years. Dr. Blake read the following abstract of a paper from the French of M. Gintrac, -of the Academv of Sciences of Paris : On account of the disease prevalent amongst the silkworms in France, many experiments have been made in order to discover the best means of rearing them. The results obtained by M. Gintrac, and which were communicated to the Academy of Sciences in Paris in September, seem to contain facts which may be useful for the sericulturists of this State. This observer found that silk- worms succeeded much better when raised in the open air than when kept in 118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA close rooms. The idea up to the present time has been that the worms require to be kept at a high temperature and carefully preserved from sudden changes. M. Gintrac finds, on the contrary, that they bear very well a temperature as low as 47° and as high as 104^; that they are not injured by the direct rays of the suo nor by sudden changes in temperature. They were not hurt by rain, nor even by thunder-storms. The disease that has been so prevalent amongst silkworms in Europe, and which has called for so large an importation of foreign eggs, is considered by the author to be caused by the worms being confined in too close rooms. The only shelter he gives them is an open shed, with roof sufficient to keep off the rain. The yield of silk seems very satisfactory, as 38 ounces of eggs furnished 372 pounds of cocoons, besides a large yield of eggs. Dr. Gibbons read a printed article, written by Mr. Canby, of Wil- mington, Del., on the Dioncea Muscipida, or " Venus Fly Trap." Dr. A. Saxe, a member from Santa Clara, made remarks on the sea-currents of our coast, which elicited considerable discussion. Regular Meeting, April 4th, 1870. President in the Chair. Charles Geddes and Wm. J. Fisher were elected resident mem- bers. Donations to the Cabinet : Argentiferous Galena, from fifty miles west of Salt Lake, by G. Bale ; also fossils from the carbonifer- ous formation at White Pine, by the same. Two war clubs and some shells, from the Feejee Islands, by Dr. G. B. Woods, through Dr. Gibbons. Three species of shells, from Oregon and California, by Dr. J. G. Cooper. Two fur robes from Alaska, one of panther skin, with fur seal collar, the other of squirrel skin, by Mrs. 0. C. Pratt. Dr. Blake read a translation of a memoir presented to the Academy of Sciences of Paris, on the relation of heat and light. Remarks were made on the auroral light observed about midnight of March 28th, and on the earthquake shock of April 2d, at 11.49 A. M. academy op sciences. 119 Regular Meeting, April 18th, 1870. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : Mr. Carlton presented the skull and jawbone of an Indian dug up near Colusa. Gregory Yale pre- sented, from C. Scott, a fossil oyster from the coal formation on Soledad Creek, near San Diego. Prof. Bolander presented a valu- able collection of American ferns, forwarded by Prof. Eaton, of Yale College. Donations to the Library : Twenty-one pamphlets on Birds, by G. N. Lawrence, N. Y., (extracts from various journals). Geology of the New Haven Region, J. D. Dana, para. 8vo. 15th, 16th and 17th An. Reports of Trustees of the Pub. Library of Boston, 1867-9, 8vo. Reale Comitate Geologico d' Italia, Boletino primo, Jan., 1870 8vo. Mammalia of Massachusetts, by J. A. Allen, Cambridge, Mass., pam. 8vo. Contrib. to Fauna of Gulf Stream at Great Depths, 3d series, Echino- derms, pam. 8vo. (The two last are bulletins of the Mus. Comp. Zool. Camb- ridge, Mass.) Dr. Blake read a communication from Captain Hall, the Arctic explorer, asking the Academy to petition Congress in favor of an ap- propriation of $100,000 in aid of his proposed expedition to the open Polar Sea. After some discussion, a motion that the Academy memorialize in favor of the appropriation was adopted. Prof. Whitney said Mr. Robert Brown, of Edinburgh, had made a statement that the coal of this State is inferior to that of British Columbia, and that we might expect to depend on that province for our future coal supplies. Mr. Brown had also declared that the coal beds of British Columbia belonged to the true carboniferous for- mation. Prof. Whitney noticed these statements because they had gone the rounds of the press and might have some influence. They were not correct. It would be curious to find that a political line coincided with a geological division. The coal formation described by Mr. Brown was not later than the cretaceous ; and the coals of British Columbia were not superior to those found southward. Prof. Whitney also made some remarks on the boundary line be- tween California and Oregon. It has been correctly surveyed and established by order of the Secretary of the Interior, by a party 120 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA under Maj. Daniel G. Major, who had correctly determined the in- tersection of the 42d parallel of latitude with the 120th degree of longitude. Major's party were unable to find the monument erected by the party which had previously, by order of Nevada and Cahfornia, established the boundary between those States. The line run by this party was about two miles to the eastward. It was probably accurate enough for the purpose of the State survey, which was mainly prosecuted to determine on which side of the boundary Honey Lake Valley was located ; but it would not serve for an ex- act boundary. In connection with this subject, Professor Whitney said that Goose Lake, adjoining the northeastern boundary, had materially increased its volume of late. It had formerly no out- let, but is now pouring a large volume of water into Pit River, and some apprehensions are felt lest its flooding may do damage. All the lakes in that region have increased their volume within a few years, and are still rising. The subject was one worthy of special inquiry, and when the Geological Survey reached the region he said he would endeavor to collect accurate information concerning it. The subject of earthquake shocks was briefly discussed, and Prof. Whitney moved the appointment of a committee to inquire as to the best instrument for recording such phenomena, and the proper place to fix it. He thought the Academy might make some very useful observations, with a good instrument. Dr. Gibbons and Mr. Williams described several simple and in- expensive methods of recording earthquake shocks, but Prof. Whit- ney contended they were not exact enough for scientific purposes. The motion was finally adopted, and the Chair appointed Prof. Whitney, Dr. Gibbons, Prof. Davidson and Col. Williamson a com- mittee to carry out its object. Dr. Cooper made some interesting remarks in regard to the con- nection of earthquake phenomena with the dry climatic zones, and the destruction of ancient cities in Asia. Mr. Hanks stated that he was engaged in the analysis of some water obtained from a spring near this city, which contained so much iodine that, without condensing, it gave a strong reaction when the proper test was applied. A full statement of the analysis will be made to the Academy. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 121 Prof. Whitney referred to the elaborate and delicate processes of analysis now used in Europe, which sometimes consume months, and stated that analysis of California waters is very desirable. Regular Meeting, May 2d, 1870. President in the Chair. Twenty members present. Donations to the Cabinet : Specimens of gold-bearing quartz from the San Diego mines, from Hayden Brothers, through G. Yale. Section of the trunk of the Lemon Verbena tree, (^Aloysia citrodora) showing its luxuriance in this climate, the diameter being seven inches, half a foot from the ground. Human bones, and an Indian implement, shaped like a plummet, from an Indian mound at the end of the Bay View Railroad, presented by Dr. Gibbons ; the former showed indications of disease, apparently from a com- pound fracture. A living scorpion from Gilroy, by Dr. S. R. Harris, through Dr Gibbons. Donations to the Library. The following were received through the Smithsonian Institution : Das Kais. Kon. Montanistisclie Museum, W. von Haidiuger, Vienna, 18G9, 1 V. 8vo.; 35th Jaliresbericlit Mannheimer Vereins fur Naturkuude, 1869, patn. Svo.; Zeits. der Deutsch. Geo). Gcsellscb. Band XX., Berlin, 1869,1 v. 8vo.; Abhaudl. der Naturforscb. Geseli. zu Halle, 11th vol. 1869, 1 v. 4to.; Sitz- ungsber. der Kais. Akad. der Wissen. zu Wien, 1868-9, 12 pts. 8vo.; Gedacht- srede auf Alex, von Nordniann, Dr. Hjelt, Helsingfors, 1868, pam. 8vo.; Verhandl. der K. K. Geo). Reichsanstalt, No. 10, 1869, Vienna, 1 pam. Svo.; Jahrbuch, 1869, 1 pam. 8vo.; Zeeusch Genoots. der AVetenschappen, Apr. 1869, 1 V. Svo.; Het Papier, etc., door J. H. de Stoppelaar, Middelburg, 1869, 1 V. Svo.; De Ongezongheid von Zeeland, Dr. A. Kokker, Midd., 1869, pam. 8vo.; Twee Rekningser der Stadt Hulst, F. Caland, Midd., 1869, pam. Svo.; Nogeene Verordening of bet Delveu, etc., in Zeeland, pam. Svo.; Pbilippus en Petrus, Dr. Fokker, Landsbergen, pam. Svo. Jaarboek, 1868, Process- A^erbal, 1868-9, and Verslagen en Mededeelingen der Kon. Akad. der Wetenscbap., 2d Ser. vol. III., 1869, Svo., Amsterdam ; Bijdragen tot de dierkunde, Artis Magistra Naturae te Amsterdam, 1869, 1 v. 4to. Norges Officielle Statistik, 5 vols. 4to., 1866-9 ; Anatomisk Beskrivelse Burste mucosae, etc., A. L. D. Pkoc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 9 Apr. 18T1. 122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Synnestvedt, 1869, 1 v. 4to.; Oscarshalle, pam. 4to.; Forstelling om Thomas a Becket af Canterbury, C. R. Unger, \S']9, 1 v. 8vo.; Forhandl. i Selskabs, Videnskabs., 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Norsk. Meteorol. Aarbog, 1868, 1 v. 4to., all from Christiania, Norway. Ofversigt af Finske Vetensk. Societal, 9, 10, 11, 1868-9, 3 vols. Svo,; Arta Soclet. Sclent. Fennicae, vol. A^IIL, pts. 1 and 2, 1809, 2 v. 4to., all from Helsiogfors. Expose general do la Societe d' Etlmographie, 1869, pam. 8vo.; Notice sur le debris des Cheloniens, Description de Dermatemys Mawii, etd'un nouvelle espece Americaine de Caiman, M. de Borre, Brussels, 1869, 3 pam. 8vo. Bull, de la Soc. des Sciences de Neuchatel, vol. VIII., 1868, 1 v. 8vo.; Mem. de la Soc. de Physique et d'histoire Nat. de Geneva, vol. XX., pt. 1, 1869, 4to.; L'Epoque quaternaire dans la vallee du Po, 1864, pam. 8vo., Origine dc la Navigation et de la Peclie, M. G. de Mortillet, Paris, 1867, 8vo.; Le Glacier de Boiura en Juillet, S. A. Sexe, Christiania, 1869, 1 v. 4to.; Rapport au Congres internat. de Statistique de Norvege, a la Haye, pam. 4to.; Traite Elemeutaire des Fouctious EUiptiques, Dr. 0. J. Broch, Christiania, 1869, 1 V. Svo. Prof. Davidson mentioned the remarkable effect of the sun's heat on the sandstone bluff seventy feet high, on which his instruments were placed for observations, near San Buenaventura. The expan- sion caused by the greatest heat of the day produced a serious change in their level, and obliged him to move the instruments one hundred yards back, when the disturbance ceased. He also remarked that the inhabitants of the southern plains of this State were likely to lose their entire crops from trusting too much to rain, when they could obtain abundant water for irrigation at seventy feet depth. He also exhibited about one hundred photographs of the late total eclipse of the sun, taken at Springfield and Shelbyville Illinois, showing the improvement in accuracy of observations by photographing them. The Professor then stated that in observing the occultation of the star Alpha Scorpii by the moon, the o'ed star seemed visible for some seconds on the grey limb of the moon, although ])ale stars disappear at the moment of contact. No satisfactory explanation of the phenomenon has yet been given. Dr. Cooper' suggested that the image of a red star was likely to remain on the retina, and therefore seem visible longer than that of a pale one. He also gave an account of some observations made by him in a late trip in the Sierra Nevada, on the absence of frost in the ground under the deep snow, and on the wonderful rapidity ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 123 of vegetable growth which springs up while the drifts are but half melted — flowers blooming at their very edge. He also noticed ant- hills half buried in snow, the tops of which were covered with the active insects, and small quadrupeds coming out of their winter burrows as soon as the sun's rays strike the bare soil. Many small birds were also winter residents of the summit of the mountains. Prof. Whitney exhibited an impression of a fan-palm leaf in volcanic "cement" or sedimentary mud, found near Placerville — the first of the kind yet found in California, and showing a sub- tropical climate in the tertiary era. Many animal remains of the tertiary age have been found in other parts of the Sierra Nevada, and those of diiferent subdivisions of that age do not show yet any identical species between the supposed miocene and pliocene. Regular Meeting, May 16th, 1870. President in the Chair. Twenty-five members present. Donations to the Cabinet : Dr. Blake read a letter from A. Garrett, of Papeete, Tahiti, accompanying and describing two boxes of valuable and curious objects of natural history, collected for and presented to the Academy. The writer said that after being for four years cut off from the civiHzed world, engaged the whole time in collecting specimens of Natural History, he had had the mis- fortune to lose, by shipwreck, his manuscripts, drawings, collection of dried plants and insects, portraits of native tribes, native curiosi- ties, and fifty volumes of scientific works. The boxes that he had sent contained 327 specimens of shells ; also, lizards, snakes, Crustacea, bats, frogs, etc. The skull of a Yitian native, who had been eaten by cannibals, was also in the collection. A peculiarly marked section of meteoric stone, sliced from one of several found near together at Milwaukie, Wisconsin, was received from Dr. I. A. Lapham of that place. Donations to the Library : 124 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Notices and descriptions of fossils, by A. Winchell, Philadelphia, 18G9,pam. 8vo.; Notes on Diatomaceae, A. M. Edwards, Boston, 1870, pam. 8vo.; Address to State Historical Society of Wisconsin, M. M. Strong, Madison, 1870, pain. 8vo.; Proceedings and Communications to the Essex Institute, YI., 1, Salem, Massachusetts, 18C8, 1 v. 8vo.; List of Birds of Alaska, W. H. Ball, etc., Chicago, 1869, 1 pam. 4to.; 12th Annual Keport of Board of Trade, Chicago, C. Randolph, 1869, 1 v. 8vo.; 1st, 2d and 3d Annual Report of Commissioners of Fisheries for Maine, 1867-9, 2 pam. 8vo.; 8th Annual Report of Board of Public Works, Chicago, 1869, 1 v. 8 vo.; Discourse on life of George Peabody, by S. \V. Wallis, Salem, Massachusetts, 1870, 1 v. 8vo. Attention was called to the death of Dr. Veatch, a member of the Academy, and notice given of a memorial to be introduced hereafter. Gregory Yale commented upon the subject of Indian mounds in California, and proposed a field meeting for the investigation of one at the Potrero' next Saturday. Dr. Cooper gave an interesting account of several small caves in El Dorado county, including the well-known Alabaster Cave. No human or other animal remains have been found in any of these, but may be hereafter, when they are examined carefully. One cave described, which was used as a dance-house by the miners twenty years ago, contains three chambers of about forty, twenty and twelve feet square, or round, respectively. In one of these caves Dr. Cooper saw a bunch of bats clinging in one mass, at which he fired his gun, killing twenty at one shot. They proved to be of a species not heretofore found in California, the Synotus Toivnsendii, mentioned on page 6 of this volume. Regular Meeting, June 6th, 1870. President in the Chair. S. R. Throckmorton and J. T. Brown were elected resident mem- bers. Donations to the Cabinet : A skin of Putorius xanthogeni/s, the yellow-cheeked weasel, from Dr. Strentzel, of Martinez, through Dr. Behr. Pliocene fossils, from Santa Rosa, by Dr. Cairns. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 125 Dr. Cooper exhibited a specimen of a rare reptile, received by Col. Warren, editor of the California Farmer, from Santa Barbara, the Anniella pulchra Gray, a lizard without feet, hke the " glass snake " and " slow worm." Donations to the Library : 1st An. Rept. Amer. Museum of Nat. Hist'y, N. Y., 1870, pam. 8vo. 52d An. Rept. Trustees N. Y. State Library, Albany, 1869, pam. 8vo. Dr. Gibbons remarked on the unusual and abnormal disturbances lately observed in the climate entirely across the continent. Prof. Davidson exhibited a skull of a sea-lion killed near Punta Arenas, Cal., with its flippers, and a stone as large as a child's head, which he said was one of several found in the animal's stomach. The hunters of these animals state that in the breeding season the male of this species eats no food, but swallows these stones instead, and is consequently very thin afterwards, furnishing very little oil. The Aleutians confirm this statement respecting the fur-seal, which is allied to the species here shown. Dr. Stout asked whether basalt had been found within the city limits, as he had a specimen supposed to be that of rock found in a well, 128 feet deep. Regular Meeting, June 20th, 1870. President in the Chair. T. C. Banks, J. B. McChesney and Chas. B. Turrell were elected resident members. Donations to the Library : A lamp for burning petroleum, in- vented and presented by Mr. J. Hucks. Anew map of California, and also a pocket map, made in 1852 by C. D. Gibbes, presented by the author. Third An. Rept. Peabody Institute of Baltimore, Md., 1870, pam. 8vo. Dr. Stout remarked on the process of preserving specimens with carbolic acid — such as birds, which may be preserved entire by in- jection of that fluid. Dr. Cooper stated that the specimens were hable to be spoiled by shrinking out of shape. 126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Prof. Davidson presented two photographs of the sun, and described Clark's new process for obtaining sun-images by a re- flector as very superior to the old method. Dr. Blake mentioned that on the 12th of June a hailstorm occurred twelve miles south of Pleasanton, across the Bay, in which stones fell so large as to kill birds. It was followed by a rain-shower with thunder and lightning. Dr. Stout exhibited a piece of rock, supposed to be basalt, found in a well seventy feet deep in this city. Water was struck at 125 feet in the well mentioned after passing through the hard rock into slate. Prof. Whitney considered it to be the very hard, metamorphic sandstone, not uncommon on this peninsula. Adjourned Meeting, July 11th, 1870. President in the Chair. Dr. C. D. EUinwood and J. F. Gray were elected resident mem- bers. Donations to the Cabinet : The President presented a stuffed specimen of the " Shovel-nosed Shark," Rhinobatus productus Ayres, found in this bay. Specimens of Unio spatulas, from Wis- consin River, by I. A. Lapham, through Dr. Cooper. Mr. Bloomer exhibited specimens of Lilium closely resembling L. superbum, found in Butte County by Mr. Brooks. Donations to the Library : A beautiful colored drawing of Mho- dodendron Calif ornicum, a very rare shrub, found at Waddell's Mills, near Santa Cruz, and drawn by the donor. Dr. Saxe, of Santa Clara. Annual Rept. of Mus. of Comp. Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., 1870, 1 vol., 8vo. Col. Williamson, U. S. Engineers, asked for information as to how to prevent the movement of the sand-dunes around the Light House at Toke Pt., Cape Shoalwater, Wash. Ter. He stated that the building was liable to be undermined by the blowing away of the sand. ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 127 Prof. Davidson mentioned that similar difficulties in France had been overcome by heavy walls built so as to have a foundation be- low the drifting sand. Prof. Bolander thought that protection might be given by plant- ing such trees and shrubs as can grow in the sand and bind it by their roots, mentioning several such, native or easily naturalized. Prof. Davidson said that the sand sometimes changed level fifteen feet in a single night, so that such roots would be no protection. ' Dr. Blake suggested the growing of annuals of dense growth to give firmness to the surface until larger plants could become rooted- Prof. Davidson made some remarks on the habits of whales not mentioned in Capt. Scammon's book. He said that the Thrasher Shark would manage to ride on the whale's head and keep it under water, or stop its breathing holes until it was suffocated. He also said that on " sounding " in shallow water, the whale came up stunned, giving the whalers a chance to strike it again, which made the hunt in such seas the best. Prof. Bolander mentioned some new fresh-water plants found by him in the Sierra Nevada, which he proposes to describe for pub- lication. He also mentioned that land slides were now common in the coast ranges on account of difference in the soil from that of the Sierra Nevada, and not on account of the action of frost alone. Prof. Davidson stated that the angle of the piece of rock sup- posed to be basalt by Dr. Stout was 140°, which would make a nine-sided prism. Prof. Whitney stated that no basalt had been found within San Francisco County by the Geological Survey. Regular Meeting, July 18th, 1870. President in the Chair. Henry Hemphill was elected a resident member. The resignation of Islr. Eloesser, as Cor. Secretary, was received, and an election to fill the vacancy was held, resulting in the choice of Henry G. Hanks. 128 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Donations to tlie Cabinet : Dr. Cooper presented a specimen of metamorphic sandstone, containing alumina and other mineral substances, found near the city. Mr. Hanks exhibited specimens of the fossil trees recently dis- covered near Calistoga. The specimens were pronounced to be silicified wood, beyond doubt. Donations to the Library: Address delivered at the Centennial Anniversary of the birth of Humboldt, by Prof. Agassiz, Boston, 1869, 8vo. Mem. de 1' Acad. Imper. des Sciences Naturclles de Cherbourg, XHI. and XIV., 1868, 2 vols., 8vo. Dr. Blake read the following paper upon a series of observations made by Capt, Doane, of the U. S. Mail Steamship China, during six consecutive voyages to Japan, upon the meteorology of the Pacific Ocean, from November, 1869, to July, 1870. These ob- servations were of a very interesting character, and tended to con- firm the views previously expressed by Dr. Blake, that there exist broad belts of climatic extremes, extending over the Pacific Ocean, and that these extraordinary variations occurred at the same time that the entire continent of Europe and western part of Asia were subject to unusual extremes of temperature. The Doctor called the attention of the Academy to the peculiar curves of temperature be- tween this city and Yokohama, which he illustrated by diagrams as they were discovered to exist by Captain Doane : Climate of the North Pacific Ocean. BY JAMES BLAKE, M. D. In a paper I read March 7th on the subject of the meteorology of the past winter, I advanced the opinion that the extreme climates to which we are occa- sionally subject on this coast, and in fact over the whole globe, were owing to the Equatorial and Polar currents of air prevailing in broad belts over con- tiguous parts of the earth's surface for a considerable period. These views have received most striking confirmation from the meteorology of the past few months, during which extreme climates have still been prevailing over the whole of that portion of the northern hemisphere about which we have any cor- rect data. It is not, however, my intention this evening to analyse the whole of these facts, but merely to bring before the Academy some interesting data that have been furnished me by Captain Doane, of the Pacific ]Mail Steamship Com- pany's steamship China, containing an abstract of the meteorological observa- tions made on board in crossing the Pacific from here to Yokohama and back during six consecutive voyages. The data contained in these observations afford most important evidence of the correctness of the former views I ad- ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 129 vanccd. showing the existence of a broatl belt of extreme climate over Another large portion of the earth 's surface ; and this, too at the time the whole of this con- tinent and Europe and the western part of Asia were subject to unusual extremes of temperature. I would first call attention to the diagram on the board showing the curves of temperature between here and Yokohama in May last. In my former conmiunication on the subject I stated that from the memoranda of ships arriving in this port during the months of Xovember and December, there was evidently an Equatorial current of air prevailing off the coast to the West, and meeting the polar current at no great distance from the coast. The observa- tions furnished by Capt. Doane show that the Equatorial current extended across the Pacific, giving rise to an extraordinary high temperature, the mean temperature for the voyage in November, which lasted twenty-five days,was 70.2°; the extremes,with the exception of the coast climates, being 65^ and 77^, tempera- tures which, at this season of the year, show the complete absence of any Polar current. Although we do not possess any data as to what is the monthly mean temperature of this portion of the earth's surface, yet there can be no doubt but that this November temperature is far above the average mean temperature of the month ; it is in fact nearly r)0 above the mean temperature of the middle of summer, as furnished by the last voyage from the 22d of June to the 13th of July. There can be no doubt, however, but that during the latter period the temperature was probably as much below the mean as the temperature of No- vember was above it, the unusual distribution of the atmospheric currents still continuing, giving us the excessively hot summer we have been experiencing on land, whilst an almost winter climate prevailed on the Pacific Ocean. On the same paper on which I have made a diagram of the temperature for November, I have also made another showing the temperature across the Pacific from the 1st to the 22d of May, a period during which we had an ex- ceedingly high temperature over the greater part of the continent. In fact, the temperature in the early part of May was higher than I had ever seen in this country so early in the summer, and whilst we were so warm here, over the sur- face of the Pacific a cold Polar current was prevailing, reducing the mean tem- perature of the voyage 8.3o below that of the month of November. The same anomalous temperature prevailed during the months of June and July, keeping the temperature of what should be the hottest season of the year below that of January. In making this calculation, the observations affected by the coast climate have been left out. The observations furnished by Capt. Doane pre- sent many other points of interest, which I hope to discuss at some other time. I have brought forward these few remarks trusting that the strong evidence they oftlr in support of the views I have before advanced, will direct the atten- tion of meteorologists more particularly to the investigation of this branch of the science, as it is, I believe, in this direction that we must look for its most useful discoveries. By these observations, furnished by Capt. Doane, and other data, we can now make a chart of the climate prevailing in the latter part of November and De- cember over the largest part of the Northern temperate zone, embracing about 200° of longitude ; and although the data from Central Asia are somewhat un- 130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA certain, yet they are sufficient to show the prevalence of an unusual climate even there. Beginning with Central and Western Asia, we have notice of military ex- peditions on the Persian Gulf being stopped for want of water in March, owing to the excessive drought of the early winter and spring months. Subscriptions had also been started in England to provide food for the Jews, owing to an antici- pated famine on account of the failure of the rains in Syria. From Europe our data are more certain. There the early part of the winter was marked by an unusual degree of warmth, the thermometer for many days in the early part of January being 10° and 12° above the mean temperature. On the Atlantic I have no definite data, but from information furnished me by gentlemen who crossed early in January, I believe a Polar current was prevailing there. In the Eastern States the winter was unusually mild, whilst from the Pacific Coast to the other side of the Rocky Mountains, a cold northerly current prevailed ; from here across the whole of the Pacific a warm south current existed. Nor has this abnormal distribution of the atmospheric currents yet ceased, as the low temperature and prevalence of northeast winds on the Pacific Ocean in June and July, and the unusually high summer temperatures, both in this country and Europe, evidently prove. These high summer temperatures on the continent are probably not so much dependent on the direction of the winds as on that condition of the atmosphere by which the mixing of the upper and lower cur- rents is prevented ; and this is much more likely to be the case when the Polar and Equatorial currents run in broad belts. In fact, to this absence of perpen- dicular movement in the atmospheric currents, the extremes, both of heat and cold, may in a great measure be attributed. Gregory Yale read an extended paper on the subject of the In- dian mounds of the Potrero, one of which was examined a few months since by several members of the Academy. Mr. Yale exhibited a diagram of the mound. He stated that the paper was not complete, and asked permission to complete it, and to arrange in order the specimens collected, so that they could be more satisfactorily examined by the members. Mr. Yale also announced his intention to prepare at some future time a com- plete history of his observations on mounds in this country. He thought a systematic series of observations on the subject of mounds might be made with great advantage, which would result in correct conclusions as to their origin and purposes. Dr. Saxe, of Santa Chira, made some interesting remarks re- garding the subsidence of the Santa Clara Valley and the artesian wells of San Jose. He incidentally stated that fish occasionally came from the wells, and sometimes sawdust flowed out with the water. He was satisfied that the fish did not come originally from ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 131 subterranean sources, but that they found their way there from open streams or beds of water through underground channels. Prof. Davidson stated that the workmen of the Central Pacific Rail- road Company had bored a well at Oakland Point, and at the depth of 206 feet they passed through a redwood 7 feet in diameter. Both the wood and the bark were fresh and sound. At the depth named, the flow of water was materially influenced by the tide in the bay- At high tide the increased pressure produced an increased flow of water from the well. Mr. Hanks stated that borate of lime had been found in consider- able quantities at a point beyond Virginia City — a fact rendered in- teresting on account of the probability that nitrate of soda will be associated with it. Regular Meeting, August 3d, 1870. President in Chair. Professors Joseph and John LeConte, of the University of Cali- fornia, Messrs. E. Durand, Charles H. Dennison, and James R. Smedberg, were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : Some fossil mollusca of the Cretace- ous period, from Arevichi, Mexico, presented by Mr. Hanks. Dr. Ellinwood made a motion to invite the American Association to hold their next annual meeting in this city. The President said that it would be necessary that the subject come before the Council at their meeting, to be held next day. Dr. Stout made some instructive remarks upon the preparation of specimens of natural history by the use of carbolic acid. He exhibited several specimens of fish and birds, some of which had been in his cabinet a year, and gave no evidence of decay. These specimens were not skins, but the entire body of the animal was preserved, only the contents of the abdomen being removed, and the cavity filled with cotton soaked in fluid carbolic acid, reduced with alcohol at 95. He said the largest animals could be so pre- served — even elephants and whales — and he had himself preserved an alligator. He said, also, that upon the death of Captain Pear- 132 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIi'ORNIA son, of our city, some years since, it became his duty to embalm the body, and he did so by using carbolic acid, and said that he had not the slightest doubt that one hundred years hence the body would be found in a good state of preservation, if examined. Prof. Davidson said if the Doctor's theory was correct, the preparation was a valuable one for collectors, who had not time or skill to skin specimens, or in case of vultures, buzzards, etc., not a pleas- ant work. Dr. Cooper thought it might answer for temporary purposes, but doubted its value for lasting any long time on account of evapora- tion of the acid. Dr. Stout said it was true it would evaporate, but in doing so seemed to permeate every particle of the tissues, and even preserve the brain. The body dessicates and becomes very light, and de- composition seems arrested. The Doctor said that the principal preserving substance in the preparation used in embalming the mummies of Egypt, was, undoubtedly, carbolic acid in a crude state. Dr. Cooper said it dried the body and contracted it so, that he thought specimens so prepared could never be set up by a taxider- mist. Prof. Davidson made some Interesting remarks upon certain species of seal upon this coast, called by hunters the Sea Lion. He said the female remains on the coast all the year ; the males come only for a short time, about two months, and during their entire stay they never feed, whereas the females go in schools regularly to feed. At Point Arena, a male, one of a school of nearly one hundred, was shot, and a spearhead, such as is used by the Alaska Indians, was found imbedded in the body, with a part of the sinew line attached. This sea lion had evidently come about 1200 geo- graphical miles. Dr. Cooper made some observations upon a trip recently made to " Castle Peak " on the Sierras. He said the mountain is readily accessible, although the angle of ascent is greater than 45°, and herds of cattle nearly reach the summit. It consists, finally, of a mass of vertical cliffs, capped by a chimney, though there is now no crater. The structure is basaltic and volcanic conglomerate. The climate is not alpine, neither are the flora or the fauna strictly such. The flowers and vegetation generally are like those below, except a species of ranunculus and one of anemone. The butterflies ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 133 and other insects differ more 'widely, but not being an expert in that department, he Avould leave them for Dr. Behr to decide upon. Regular Meeting, August 15th, 1870. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : Mr. Turrell presented some specimens of fossilized wood from Dutch Flat. Dr. Aug. Le Plongeon pre- sented some skulls from Peru. Donations to the Library : Anuario del Observatorio Fisico-Meteorico de la Habana in 18G2, Tonio 1, 1869, 4to ; Relacion del Gran Terramoto, Habana, 1868, pani. 8vo ; Sur la Nature des Xuages, Recherclies our Polarization atmospherique, Yersailles, 1865,2 pam. 8vo ; Sur la Rotation des Nuages, 1864, Bibliograpliie Cj- clonique, 1866, all 8vo ; Sur 1' Eclipse solaire de 18.56, 1863, Sur la pluie d' Etoiles en Mexique, 1867, Sur las Colorations ozonoscopiques, 1867, all pam. 4to ; a new classification of Clouds, 6 articles in the Rural Xew Yorker, 1869-70, folio, all by Prof. A. Poey, from the Author. On fossil fishes of Green river, Wyoming Ter., on Classification of Batrachia salientia, 2 pam. 8vo., E. D. Cope, Pbilad, 1869. Prof. Poey, director of the Observatory at Havana, up to the time of the recent troubles there, and also an attache of the French scientific expedition to Mexico, was presented as a visitor and was invited to address the Academy. He made some remarks upon the books presented by him ex- explaining the nature of their contents. He said in his remarks on meteoric showers, that it had been established by Professors Newcomb and Comstock, of the United States, that the usual periods of these showers occurred in August and November, but the longer periods, when they fall in great abundance, occurred once in about ten years. He had observed that this cycle law for short periods did not hold good south of the latitude of Cuba. He stated in his remarks on the spots on the sun, that all phys- ical phenomena on the earth, such as storms, seasons of cold and heat, etc., occur in cycles of nine or ten years or more, and that they correspond to the astronomical cycles of the shooting stars, and also 134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA that the spots upon the sun's surface have some close relation to these. Prof. Whitney remarked that during the past fortnight the Geological Survey had ascended three of the mountains known as " Castle Peak." Of these, one is about four miles north of the Summit, on the Central Pacific, in Nevada County, and is the one referred to by Dr. Cooper at the last meeting ; another is twelve miles south-west of Bridgeport, Mono County, while the third is about ten miles west of this, and in Tuolumne, at the head of the West Walker River. The last mentioned mountain is the one origin- ally named "Castle Peak" by George H. Goddard in 1854, and until now it has never been ascended or measured, although it has been attempted to be reached several times by the Geological Survey. It is a mass of granite pinnacles, and presents a grand appearance, especially from Pilot Peak and other points on and near the road to the Yosemite from Coulterville. The elevation is a little over 11,000 feet. Standing back in the interior of the chain, it is hardly visible from Mono Lake or Bridgeport. " The second Castle Peak to which reference was made is about 12,000 feet high, and a very conspicuous object from various points on the road from Carson to Aurora. It is, however, very far from having a castellated appearance, as it is round-backed and made up of metamorphic slates. Still the name has become firmly fixed on it by the people living near, and it cannot now be changed, although evidently given originally through the mistaken idea that it was the point so named by Mr. Goddard. The views from both these points are exceedingly grand, commanding a large part of the central masses of the Sierra, and some of the most picturesque scenery. The mountain known as Castle Peak, or as Fremont's Peak, north of the Pacific Railroad, is also a grand point of view, and is the most elevated summit between the Pyramid Peak group and Lassen Peak, being about 9,500 feet high. It is very conspicuous from all along between Donner Lake and the Summit, and has a fine group of volcanic crags on its western edge. It is a portion of the broken rim of a stupendous volcano, and from it to the north one can look down into the former crater, at a depth of 600 to 800 feet below. ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 135 To avoid confusion, the surveyors will designate this mountain on their maps as Mount Stanford, in honor of the President of the Central Pacific Railroad ; the one originally named Castle Peak by Mr. Goddard will be called " Tower Peak ;" and the third, or the least castellated of the three, will necessarily have to retain its present name of " Castle Peak," as it is already widely and exclusively known by that designation. The exact altitudes of the various points mentioned have not yet been calculated, as the observations have not all come to hand, and the figures given at present are only approximate. Prof. Whitney read some extracts from letters just received by him from Baron Richthofen, giving an account of a recent discovery made in the progress of the geological reconnoisance of China, which the Baron is carrying on under the auspices of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. The extract read related to the immense development of the loess in the northern part of the Chinese Empire, and to the mode of the occurrence of the bituminous and anthracite coals in Southern Shansi. The loess is one of the most important formations of Northern China. When not removed by denudation, it spreads in a continuous sheet of great thickness over the whole surface of the country, rising on the high plateaux, or spreading over the entire area of the Northern Provinces of China, and probably extending far into Central Asia. It is very porous, and frequently intersected by small ramified tubes, Avhich are evidently the spaces previously occupied by rootlets, their walls being usually covered with a thin layer of calcareous matter. Everywhere and throughout the whole mass of the formation is an abundance of perfectly preserved shells of the genus Helix, and in many cases the bones of land animals are found. This loess is nowhere stratified, and in places it attains the enormous thickness of 1,500 feet. The problem of its origin is an extremely difficult one, and it is evidently a subgerial deposit, and one without a parallel in any other part of the world, as far as yet observed. Prof. Whitney remarked, in commenting on these facts, that a most careful and detailed series of observations on this formation would be required, in order to be able to arrive at anything like a satisfactory conclusion in regard to the geological condition under which it has been deposited. 136 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Dr. H. Gibbons spoke of the smoky state of the atmosphere, which he had noticed for the last twenty-four hours, and referred it to the annual fires in the forests of Oregon. This produced some discussion, Dr. Cooper and others opposing it. Dr. Gibbons called the attention of the President to a paper read by him some time since on the belts of temperature, and asked how he would explain the present heated term at the East, and where the counterbalancing cold zone was ? Prof. Poey said that undoubtedly such opposing zones did exist, and that he had observed that, when all North America was in a heated condition, South America was in an opposite state of cold. Regular Meeting, September 5th, 1870. Prof. Whitney in the Chair. Twenty-five members j/resent. Prof. A. Poey was elected a corresponding member, and Dr. C. M. Hitchcock and H. E. Highton resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : Rock crystal from Clear Lake, pumice stone and galena from Battle Mountain, Nov., selenite from San Joaquin county, by G. Yale. A piece of silicified tree from Calistoga, by Mr. Badlam through Dr. Stout. Donations to the Library : The North American Lakes, Dr. E. Andrews, Chicago, 1870, pani. 4to.; The Total Eclipse of July, 1860, Wash. Xat. Observ. pam. 4to. Also the following through Smithsonian Institution : Trans. Edinbnrg Geol. Soc, I., 3 ; On sandstone in Fifeshire, and on columns in Mica schist, J. Haswell ; Smithsonian Contributions, XVI., 1 v. 4to., and Miscel. Collections, A^III. and IX., 2 v. 8vo., Washington, 1869, Myriapoda Nova Americana, Vespidaj Amcr. novae. Description de divers Myriapods, Humbert & de Saussure, Paris, 1869, 3 pam. 8vo. Annals de I'Observatoire Physique central de Russie, St. Petersburg, 1865, 1 v. 4to.; Melanges Physi- ques et Chimiques, Dr. Wild, St. Petersburg, 1 v. 8vo.; Commelinacca3 Indicas, Carl Hasskarl, Vienna, 1870, 1 v. 8vo.; Sertuin Tiauschauicum, Osten Sacken & Ruprecht, 1869, 1 v. 4to.; Diuotheriorum genere, etc., J. F. Brandt, St. ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 137 Petersburg, 1SG9, I v. 4to.; AbhanJl. vom Naturwiss. Yereius zu Bremen, 1870, 1 V. 8vo.; Zeits. der Deutscb. Geolog. Gesellsehaft, XXL, 4, 18C9, 1 v. 8vo.; Beitrage zur Telegraphie, Dr. E. Z?tsche, Chemnitz, pam. 8vo.; 54th Jahresber. dt-r Naturforsch. Gesell. zii Emden, 1868, pam. 8vo. Das Gesetz der Witide uber Nordvvest Europa, Dr. Prestel, Emden, 1869, pam. 4to.; Verhandl. der Pbjs. Med. Gesell. in VVurzburg, Band 1, heft 4, 1 v. 8vo., und Verzeich. dor Bibliothek, pam. 8vo.; Bulletin de I'Acad. Imper.des Nat. de Moscow, 1864, No. 4. 8vo.; Bulletin de I'Acad. Imper. de St. Petersburg, XIV., pts. 1 and 2, 4to.; Memoirs de I'Acad., XIII., 8, XIV., 1-7; Studien uber die Wanderblocke, und die Diluvialgebilde Russlands, G. V. Helmersen, 1 v., Synopsis der Viperi- den, Dr. A. Strauch, 1869 1 v., Uber die Erabryonalhulle der Hymenoptera, M. Gamier, 1869, 1 v., Untersuch. uber die Gattung der KlippschHefer, 1869, 1 v., Verlauf der Chylushahnen in Dunndarme, T. Zarwarykin, Uber die periodischen lebens der Pflanzen, C. Linnser, 1869, 1 v., all 4to., from Acad. Imper. de St. Petersburg. Naclirichten der Konigl. Gesell. der Wissen. und Univcrs. zu Gottingen, 1869, 1 v. 8vo.; Abhandl. Senekenberg Naturforsch. Gesell Frank- fort am Main, Band VII., heft 1 and 2, 1 v. 4to.; Repertorium fur Meteorologie, Dr. Wild, St. Petersburg, 1869, 1 v. 4to.; Beobacht. uber Lerneocera, etc.. Die Cypris larva der Cirripedien, und uber Leptodera appendiculata. Dr. C. Glaus, Marburg, 1868-9. 2 v. 4to.; Die Entewickelungs der Muskelfaser, G. B. Wagener. Sitzungsberichte der G.'sell.zur Beforderung Naturwiss. in Marburg, 1868 to 1869, 3 v. Svo.; Ann. der Kon. Sternwarte in Munchen, XVII., 1869, Suppl. VIII. and IX., 1869. 3 v. 8vo.; Verhandl. der Kais. Kon. Zjol. Botan. Gesell. in Wien, XIX., 1869, 1 v. 8vo., Beitr. zur Fauna der Nikobaren, etc., G. von Frauenfeld, 4 pam. 8vo.; Mittheil. aus dem Osterlaude, XIX., 1 and 2, Altenburg, 1869,1 v. 8vo.; Sitzungsber. der, 1869, 3 hefte, 8vo., und Abhandl. der Math-Phys. Klasse der K. Bayerisch. Akad. der Wissen. Munchen, 1869, 1 V. 4to.; Entwickelung der Agrikultur-chemie, A. Vogel, Denkschrilt auf C, F. P. von Martins ; Oversigt over det Kong. Dansk. Vidensk. Selskab., 1868-9. 2 pam. 8vo. Presented by the author. Dr. Le Plongeon, La RL4igion de Jesus, Boston, 1867, 1 v. 8vo„ and Monita Secreta Societatis Jesu, Paris, 1869, 1 v. 12mo. By G. Yale, Dictionary of Terms of Art, J. VN^eale, London, 1860, 1 v. 8vo.; Geology of Lake Superior, Foster & Whitney, Washington, 1851, vol. 3 ; Coal and Coal-Oil, E. Bowen, Philadelphia, 1865, 1 v. 8vo.; Seven years' residence in Great Deserts of North America, Abbe B. Domenech, London, 1860, 2 v. 8vo.; Lifted and Subsided Rocks of America, G. Catlin, London, 1 v. 8vo.; Mexico, by H. G. Ward, London, 1829, 2 v. 8vo.; Correlation and Conservation of Forces, E. Youmans, New York, 1869, 1 v. 8vo.; Manual of Mineralogy, J. D. Dana, New Haven, 1865, 1 v. 8vo.; The New World compared with the Old, G. A. Townsend, Hartford, 1869, 1 v. 8vo. Also, by mail, Synopsis of Unionida?, Dr. I. Lea, Philadelphia, 1870, 1 v. 4to., from author. Dr. Le Plongeon read part of a long article on the aboriginal ruins of Peru, referred to the time of the Incas. He also exhibited a collection of remarkable skulls and specimens of art from the ruins, Pboc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 10 Apr. 1871. 138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA with photographs of the architecture, showing that they were ac- quainted with the structure of the arch. Dr. Stout called attention to the prospects of the " Bolivia Col- onization Company," which was intended to establish a settlement about four hundred miles up the Amazon, and to keep open a con- stant communication with the Pacific shores by highways across the Andes. He hoped that some means would be found to make the project an aid to the scientific exploration of those regions, and that the Academy might obtain some of the valuable collections which mijiht be made there. Regular Meeting, September 19th, 1870. Judge Gregory Yale in the Chair. Rev. Wm. Alexander, of San Jos^, was elected a resident mem- ber, and Drs. Miguel de los Rios and A. J. de los Rios, of Lima, Peru, were elected corresponding members. Prof. Esmark, Director of the Zoological Museum, Ohristiania, Norway, was introduced by Dr. Stout, and made some interesting remarks on the fishes of Norway, Avhere he had discovered ten species before known only from Greenland. Donations to the Library : An engraved portrait of Berzelius, by J. A. Raymond, through E. Brooks. Gramatica y Arte nueva de lalengua Q' Quichua o lengua del Inca, 8vo., 1842, by Dr. Le Plongeon. Memoirs de la Societe Royale des antiquaires du Nord, Copenhagen, 1867, 8vo.; Tillaeg til Aarbogen for Nordisk Old- kyndighed, og Historic, Copenhagen, 1867-8, 2 vols., 8vo.; Bened Grondal (egilsson), Clavis poetica antiqua linguse septentrionahs, Hafnia, 1864, 1 vol., 8vo.; Dannevirke og Omegn, Chr. C. Loren- zen, Haderslev, 1863, 1 vol., 8vo.; Fragmenta Phytographise Aus- tralia, Nos. L. to LIV., all through Dr. F. Miiller. Mr. Yale stated that some of the Regents of the University had made verbal oiFers to him, proposing the incorporation of this Acad- emy with the University. Dr. Stout and others objected to any such arrangement, and it was finally decided to await more definite propositions. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 139 Mr. Hanks, Corresponding Secretary, stated that the American Association for Advancement of Science had accepted the Acade- my's invitation to hold a meeting here in 1872. Regular Meeting, October 3d, 1870. President in the Chair. S. Clinton Hastings, Jacob R. Snyder and Dr. N. R. Davis were elected resident members ; Prof. Esmark, of Christiania, Nor- way, and Thomas London, of Dalles, Or., corresponding members. Donations to the Museum : Coal, from the new Mines on Queen Charlotte's I., by Prof. Davidson. Hamburg coin of 1728, by Dr. J. B. Trask. A skull of an Apache Indian, by Dr. Sawyer. A skull of a badger, ( Taxidea) from forty feet beneath the surface at Los Angeles, Cal., in asphaltum beds. Australian plants, by Dr. F. Milller, through Prof. Bolander. De Kellogg exhibited a skin of a Bushy-tailed Rat, (^Neotomd) from the summit of the Sierra Nevada, at the Railroad Pass, lati- tude 39^ Donations to the Library : Coast Pilot of Alaska, Washington Ter., Oregon and California, G. David- son, U. S. C. S., Washington, 1809,2 vol., 8vo. Astron. and Meteorol. Ob- serv. at U. S. Naval Observatory for 1869, Wash., 1870, 1 vol., 4to. Nobert's test plate and stria3 of Diatoms, Sullivant & Wormley, Xew Haven, 1861, pani., 8vo. Nunquam Otiosus, Zool. Miltheil., Dr. L. W. Schaufuss, Dresden, 1870, pani., 8vo. An. Rept. Directors of Cincinnati Observatory, 1870. pam., 8vo. The Eared Seals, [Olariada) J. A. Allen, Cambridge, Mass., 1870, pam., 8vo. Molluscan Fauna of Peru, Tertiary, New Haven, 1870, pam., 8vo. An. Catal. Muss. Inst, of Technology, Boston, 1870, 1 vol., 8vo. Act to Establish Quarantine and Sanitary Laws, S. F., 1870, pam., 8vo. The President made some remarks on the fossil trees of Calistoga, which he found to be imbedded in an tufaceous sandstone, of volcanic materials, their petrification being caused by infiltration of silicate of potash, contained in such large quantities in these volcanic rocks. As the softer rock wears away, the trees are ex. posed. It has not yet been determined whether they are conifers or dicotyledonons. 140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Mr, Carlton exhibited a specimen of Serpularia grown around a branch of Avood which was dredged on the Codfish grounds of the Aleutian Islands, at fifty fathoms depth, A discussion ensued on the subject of entertaining properly the Association which is to meet here in 1872, Regular Meeting, October 17th, 1870. President in the Chair. Donations to the Museum : Dr, Hewston presented some very large barnacles taken from the body of the whale recently washed ashore near the Cliff House. There were two species, Coronula diadema, and attached to the Coronula were Otion Cuvieri. Dr, Hewston also exhibited a species of Syngnathus, known as the Pipe fish, found in the Bay of San Francisco, and sometimes caught with shrimp. Prof. Davidson made some remarks on the storms in the Gulf of California, particularly the Cordonoza, which blows every year in September or October, and in which the " Continental " was lost. It seems that the natives have a dread of it, and fly for shelter with their vessels at the first indication of its approach. He said a curious feature of the late storm was that one of the "Continental's" boats was carried against the wind, evidently by a strong ocean current, forty miles up the coast. Mr, Yale also made some remarks on Pacific Coast storms, and stated that he was preparing a paper on the subject, Dr, Blake commented upon the remarkable meteorological dis- turbances that have occurred in various portions of this continent lately, and gave the result of his observations on the late north- easterly wind on the California coast, which was characterized by unusual dryness. On Saturday, the 15th inst., the thermometer was at 78'' in the morning, and 68'^ in the evening. At 6 a.m, the wet bulb showed 20 per cent, of moisture ; at 3 p.m,, 19 per cent,; at 4 P.M., under the influence of a southwest wind, blowing Avith a ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 141 force of 2, (the maximum standard being 6) it had risen to 45 per cent., and at 11 p.m. fell again to 20, when the northeaster returned with a force of 5. The barometer continued sinking some hours after the norther began — an unusual occurrence except on this coast. The extreme dryness of the air will be seen more plainly from the explanation that the wind that blows off the great Desert of Zahara seldom contains less than 20 per cent, of moisture, and our late northeaster was at one time one per cent, below that. Regular Meeting, Novemrer 7th, 1870. President in the Chair. Generals D. D. Colton and John Hewston were elected resident members. Donations to the Library: Etudes sur I'Australie in 1862, 1869, S. Morhange, Brussels, 1 vol. 8vo., from the author; Intro- duction to Practical Astronomy, Prof. E. Loomis, New York, 1861, 1 vol. 8vo., from G. Yale. Dr. A. Kellogg presented specimens of anew^ plant, accompanied with a sketch and electrotype, and read the following description : A New Californian Dicentra. BY A. KELLOGG, M. D. Dicentra uniflora — Kellogg. Eoot fasciculate, granular at the crown ; scape annual, as long as the leaf — i. e., two to three inches long — bibracteate, one-flowered ; flower nodding, whitish or flesh-colored ; a gland at the inner base of the filaments ; leaf ternately compound and mullifid, slightly pubescent near the base ; capsule oblong, ovate, lanceolate ; seeds crested at the hilum. Found at Cisco and at the summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains, on the line of the Central Pacific Railroad, in June, 1870. This species of Dicentra cannot be mistaken for any other in any stage of its growth, either in respect to form or size. In the figure, No. 1, is the natural size of the plant— 1 to \^ inches of the lower portion is embedded in the soil— Nos. 2 and 3, the parts of the flower, etc., somewhat enlarged. It is probable the fasieulate portion of the root is thrown ofl", in anticipation of the fruiting scape, or scapes, after which it decays and others succeed. Found chiefly adjacent to rocks. 142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA A specimen of fossil wood, petrified by carbonate of iron, found in the ]Mount Diablo coal mines, was exhibited by Mr. Durand from the cabinet of Mr. Pioche. Judge Hastings read a brief paper on earthquakes, propounding the theory that they are caused by the falling in of the walls of caverns beneath the crust of the earth. He thought subterranean water action might be an agent of these collapses. He believed that the cessation of earthquakes in countries once disturbed by them, like England, was due to the final settling in of the earth's crust and filling up of cavernous vortices. He asserted that earth- quakes are confined to countries where long dry seasons prevail, and that the phenomena recur at the period between the dry and rainy seasons, as in California, where they are most marked in the Fall and Spring. In allusion to the subterranean Avater sources, he explained the increase in the volume of springs and streams at the ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 143 end of summer, by assuming that rains had swollen their sources, and these, by hydrostatic pressure through underground conduits, had raised their distant outlets. Prof. Davidson said the theory of Judge Hastings was unsup- ported by facts. Earthquakes are not confined to di-y, warm countries. They are common in Alaska, in a climate of perpetual moisture. Dr. H. Gibbons pronounced the explanation of the rise of springs and streams as equally untenable, and ascribed it to the diminution of evaporation with the shortening of the days and the lengthening of the nights ; a view in which he was supported by Dr. Cooper and Dr. Kellogg. He had treated that subject in an elaborate paper, Avhich was published in Silliman's Journal some twelve years ago, and his explanation had been accepted by scientific men as correct. Dr. Kellogg related the results of experiments to test the amount of evaporation from the earth, which was ascertained to be very great in the dry est season. Of course, when this evaporation was lessened by shorter days, there would be a gradual increase in springs and streams. Dr. Blake thought that the contraction of rocks, with lessened heat, might, by reopening fissures, permit a greater flow of water ; and commented upon the increase of streams after an earthquake shock as the result of the opening of cracks. Dr. Gibbons said that the increase of water occurred with the shortening days when there was no abatement of heat, and he rather referred the flow coincident with earthquakes to the settling of the soil and rocks, which would squeeze out the moisture or close its ordinary channels of escape under the surface. Judge Hastings observed that he advanced his theory only to elicit discussion, but he thought he could vindicate it. In reply to a question from Dr. Gibbons, he said that he was first led to attribute earthquakes to the falling in of cavern walls by a fact told him six months ago by one of the Sisters at San Juan Capistrano, who showed him Avhere the hill had sunk in at the time of the earthquake which destroyed the Mission Church in 1813. Dr. Le Plongeon made some remarks on earthquakes in Peru, and endorsed an opinion advanced by Dr. Gibbons, that such phenomena were caused by the explosion of gases along spaces between the molten core of the earth and its crust. 144 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Dr. Blake closed the discussion by remarking that what was wanted about earthquakes was facts, not theories. Unfortunately, the circumstances attending these phenomena are not favorable to a careful collection of data, and our knowledge is not sufficient to afford a complete explanation. Dr. Gibbons gave the result of some recent observations on cloud currents in the upper and lower atmosphere, preceding the late rain. The two currents moved in opposite directions, but apparently in obedience to some common impulse, and finally coalesced. The barometer rose, instead of falling, as the rain approached, and until it fairly set in, and was rapidly falling as the sun broke out and the rain ceased. Prof. Davidson gave the result of his observations on the glacial grooves in the southeastern part of Vancouver and adjacent islands. They bear north 9*^ east, true. The rock in which they are found is a highly crystalline feldspar and hornblende. He gave the result of his measurement by triangulation of the height of Mt. Baker as follows: north peak, 10,719 feet; south peak, 10,079 ; upper part of the crater, 10,123 ; bottom part of crater, 9,925 ; slope of crater, 30 degrees ; length of crater, 407 feet. These measurements were never before given. The height of the snow line on the west side of the mountain was found to be 5,301 feet, which is 2,150 feet greater than the elevation reported by Alexander Agassiz, which has generally been distrusted. Mr. Hanks referred to the reported finding of a ship on the Colorado desert, alleged to have been stranded there centuries ago by the recession of the sea, and proposed that a committee be appointed to investigate the facts. Mr. Hanks said that Col. Evans had described the ship in an article published in the Galaxy. A motion was carried that Col. Evans be invited to address the Academy on the subject, and that Mr. Hanks be appointed a committee to gather evidence on the subject. academy of sciences. 145 Regular Meeting, November 21st, 1870. President in the Chair. Thirty members present. Dr. J. Morrill, of Colima, Mex., was elected a corresponding member. Donations to the Cabinet : A dried specimen and drawing of the " Skooma," or " Elephant Fish," (^Chimcera Colliei) from Puget's Sound, by A. W. Chase, through Prof. Davidson. Another speci- men of the same species taken near this city was exhibited. Mr. Turrill presented some shells and pieces of rock from old Indian " Kokkenmoddings," near Black Point, remarking that their occurrence on top of hills of pure sand showed that they had not been carried up by water. Donations to the Library : Proceedings of the Lyceum of Nat. History of New York, vol, I., sigs. 1-3. The California Horticul- turist and Floral Magazine, No. I, 1870, 8vo. Prof. Davidson, of the U. S. Coast Survey, gave an account of his observation of meteors on the nis-hts of the 13th and 14th in- stants. The moon was shining brightly during the six hours the count was kept — recorded by the telegraph method on the chrono- graph. During the first two hours and a half, from twelve o'clock midnight, only six meteors were seen. Prof. Davidson thought at the time the observation was made, the earth had passed out of the meteoric belt, or was possibly just in its edge. He said that in the observation made last year at Santa Barbara, five hundred and sixty-six meteors were counted in six hours. He mentioned a brill- iant one with a train that lasted eight and a half minutes, in which time it changed to two-thirds of an ellipse. Mr. Hanks read a carefully prepared report upon the subject of the remains of a ship alleged to have been seen in the Colorado Desert, forty miles north of Fort Yuma, near the San Bernardino Road. He gave the new^spaper history of the subject, and the re- sult of his correspondence with various parties at San Bernardino, Los Angeles and San Diego. His enquiries had elicited nothing but hearsay evidence. There is positive testimony that numerous persons have seen at the distance of a few miles, an object that they 146 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA believed to be the wreck of a large ship imbedded in the sand, at a spot which is watery and inaccessible during portions of the year. A company left San Bernardino some time ago to solve the mystery, but they could get no nearer to the object than four miles on ac- count of mud. Another party has lately started, with an outfit by which they expect to be able to reach the place. Florencio Islas reports that the Indians assert the existence of a ship in the locality mentioned. There are distinct water marks on the adjoining hills, and enormous quantities of shells are swept into drifts and piles by the winds. Mr. Hanks offered as a theoretical explanation, in the absence of direct proof, that the alleged ship may be only a mass of the curious travertine which forms in alkaline lakes on the plains and southern deserts, and which grows into fantastic shapes like coral. He had seen forms which could easily be mistaken for anything. He exhibited some specimens from Owen's Lake. Prof. Davidson, in allusion to the assumption that the alkaline valley surrounding the " ship " is seventy feet lower than the sea level, stated that the field notes of a party surveying for the 32d parallel railroad showed the level of the western edge of the desert was 750 feet above the ocean. Col. A. S. Evans, on invitation, gave an account of his observa- tion of the supposed ship. He had crossed the desert several times, had seen the object once from a distance of ten miles, afterwards from a point within three miles, and had from this distance examined it with a glass. It appeared to be the hulk of a vessel, partly on its side and partly buried in the alkahne mud that surrounded it. The locality was a salt plain, which at certain seasons was covered with water, and at others quite dry. He had observed the old water lines on the surrounding hills, and was surprised at the drifts of fine shells, spirals, such as are found in ocean beds. His impres- sion was that the locality Avas above the present sea-level. The so- called '• New River," which runs from the desert into the Colo- rado south of the ship, might have been formed by an immense cloud-burst, or water-spout, emptying on the desert, and cutting a channel to the river, which the drifting sands are now closing up. He mentioned several instances of water-spouts that had precip- itated rivers of water, cutting large channels in the earth and des- troying everything before them. He had heard the Indian story of the ship, and the Indian tradition that the ocean once flowed in ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 147 here from the Gulf, but did not attach much importance to them. He did not know that the object seen by himself and others was a ship, but he thought it was ; and because he had seen it on several occasions, he knew it could not be the effect of mirage. Neither could it be the schooner said to have been hauled to the desert on an ox-cart by Martin Vise, for that went by a road far south of the place described, and he had reason to believe it had reached its destination, and was now afloat. Furthermore, the supposed ship was described before Vise ever started with his schooner. He mentioned one person who claimed to have gone to it and examined it, and who said it was made of teak wood. Some conversation followed in regard to cloud-bursts and their effects. Prof. Davidson commented on the unreliability of the barometer for observations of heights in the heart of a continent. Col. Williamson gave his views on the same subject, and thought one portion of the Colorado desert might be as low as has been re- ported. The thanks of the Academy Avere returned to Col. Evans for his interesting communication. Regular Meeting, December 5th, 1870. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : A spider, allied to the genus Gastro- ca7ithus, from San Rafael, by Henry High ton, through the Presi- dent. A white magnesian mineral from Market Street Cut, by Dr. Cooper. Prof. Davidson presented some specimens of oysters raised in San Francisco Bay, from seedlings brought from New York, and planted in March last, showing a very rapid growth. They were several times larger than the seedlings. Mr. Throckmorton, Dr. Cooper and others, said that shells of this size were three years old in New York Harbor, and doubted their growing here in the time stated ; but Prof. Davidson said the fact was from undoubted authority. 148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Dr. Cooper -wished to know why an imported species of oyster should grow so large when those native to this coast, planted under the same conditions, were no larger than in an uncultivated state. Prof. Davidson said that true diamonds had been recently found in Arizona. The specimens had been brought by prospecting miners, among a great variety of minerals, including rubies, gar- nets, etc. The miners, not knowing the diamond in the rough, had thrown aAvay some large and valuable specimens. The largest brought to this city will cut three carats, and according to the ex- perience of Frontier, Pohlman and Bellemere, lapidaries, will be worth about $500 when cut. This discovery developes another in- dustry in our country. Prof. Davidson said, in making some computations of recent as- tronomical and geodetic observations, large deflection of the plumb line had been detected. Numerous instances were cited, from the Straits of Fuca to Los Angeles, where the deflection ranged from 6 to 12 seconds of arc. But no prediction of the direction of the deflection could be made from the position of adjacent mountains, for although the Santa Barbara mountains evidently deflect the plumb line li seconds, the deflection at Santa Cruz is 10 seconds towards the deep submarine valley of Monterey Bay, although the hills rise high to the northward of the station. At the Straits of Fuca station, the error of deflection of the plumb line was 6 seconds ; at San Francisco, 6 seconds ; at Santa Cruz, 10 seconds, not towards the north line of mountains, but south, towards a submarine valley in Monterey Bay, showing a powerful submarine attracting power. Dr. Blake said that observations showed a connection between our meteorology and that of the Sandwich Islands. A gale oc- curred at the Islands on the 20th of October. The barometer in San Francisco commenced falling on the 21st, and reached the mini- mum on the 24th, in the morning. On the 27th a gale at the Islands began, Avhich lasted three days. The barometer in San Francisco fell 0.25 from the 29th to the 30th, the minimum being reached November 2d. A gale blew at the Islands from October 30th to the 6th of November. The barometer in San Francisco began to fall on the 4th, and reached its minimum on the 6 th. Dr. Le Plongeon read a lengthy paper on the origin of earth- quakes. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 149 Dr. Hcuston made a motion, which ^-as carried, that Prof. Es- mark be allowed the use of the rooms of the Academy, and that the specimens of crustaceans and fishes be put in his charge for the pur- pose of classification. Regular Meeting, December 19tii, 1870. President in the Chair. Twenty members present. Donations to the Museum : Bones of a mastodon, from Inyo County, by Dr. Blake, who remarked that he hoped to obtain the head also. Larv» of a Cicada, from Mazatlan, Mex., with fun^i-oid groAvths from their heads, of the genus Spheria, (like S. Robertsii, often exhibited on a Chinese caterpillar) from Mrs. A. J. Grayson, through Mr. Carlton. A West Indian sponge, from Dr. Bourne. Fresh water mollusca, also a Spirifer from the Wasatch Mountains from Dr. R. F. Reid, found in Utah, etc., through Dr. Trask. Donations to the Library : Reports on Provinces of China, Baron F. Von Ricbthofen.Slianghai, 1870, 1 vol., 4to. Coa! Fields of the North Pacific Coast, R. Brown, Edniburg, (Geo). Snc.) 18(19, pam., 8vo. Genus Pompliolyx and its allies with revision of the Limna'idie, W. H. Dail, (An. N. Y. Lyceum) 1870, pam., 8vo. Mililary maps of Virginia, Engineer Dept., Washiniiton, 1870, folio. Journal of Gas Lighting, etc., London, Nov. 22d, 1870, folio ; E. Doll, Vienna, 1870, pam., 8vo.; Overland Monthly for January. 1871, I vol., 8vo.; American Journal of Microscopy, No. 1, Chicago, Nov., 1870, 4to, from the Publishers. Dr. Le Plongeon continued the reading of his essay on Earth- quakes. Prof. Davidson stated that in studying the bars and entrances to all the rivers and bays opening directly into the Pacific along our coast, he had discovered the general law that the channels all tended to the northward, directly in the face of the northwest wind and northwest swell rolling steadily all summer. He attributed this to the eddies running within the great northwest current, and, of course, contrary to it, usually with a velocity of two miles per hour and width of about three miles. The sand was rolled northward 150 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA by these eddies, making the long spit which usually forms the beach south of the entrance of the bays, as at San Diego, San Pedro, Humboldt and Shoalwater Bays. Usually, too, the area of the bays is largest south of their mouths. Dr. Kellogg exhibited specimens of a plant ( Ceanothus infestans) brought by Prof. Davidson from the Chilchat river, latitude 59° 25', but previously considered Mexican. Dr. Cooper remarked that the shells sent by Dr. Reid would fill several gaps in the Academy's collection of shells of the West Slope of North America, and in the following article : On Shells of the West Slope of North America. BY J. G. COOPER, M.D.* The shells presented this evening were collected by Dr. Robert K. Reid, formerly of Stockton, and since a surgeon in the California Volunteers, who collected them while stationed near Salt Lake in 18(34. By unknown causes their arrival has been delayed until now. As the molluscan fauna of the great interior Basin is still imperfectly known, I have included in a catalogue of his species those collected more recently, in that and adjoining regions, by Mr. H. Hemphill, C. D. Voy, W. G. W. Harford, G. W. Dunn, L. G. Yates, J. Rowell, myself and others, with short descriptions of the species not given in the synopsis referred to. There are among these several additions to the lists of Helicoids given by me in our Proceedings, Vol. III., p 330, and the synopsis of Limmida in Vol. IV., p. 92, as well as the Geographical Catalogue compiled for the Geological Survey in 1867. I add a few of the most important notes on species obtained outside of the Basin since previous publications. Additions to the fauna have their names in small capitals. 1 Sphajrium patella Gld. Lakeport, Upper Clear Lake— C. D. Voy. 2 S. lenticula Gld. Found by me near San Joaquin River and Visalia. 3 S. striatinum iamL Humboldt River— J. Hepburn. I found thirteen specimens at the north end of Clear Lake, apparently a variety of this species or S. d e n t a t u m Hahl. 4 Pisidium abditum Hald. Raft River, near Fort Hall, Idaho —Dr. Reid. 5 P. ultramontanum Prime ? " Narrows " of Clear Lake. Rare ; approach form of P. compressum. 6 Margaritana falcata Gld. Near Salt Lake or Fort Hall— Dr. Reid. Stanislaus River is the most southern point I have found it inland. * For full notes on the species, I may refer to the American Journal of Conchology Vols. IV., v., VI., and to the State Eeports now being prepared. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 151 7 A n d n t a a n g u 1 a t a Lea. " Narrows " of Clear Lake, and San Joaquin River to bend. 8 A. W a h I a m a t e n s i s Lea. Clear Lake, and south to Kern Lake. 9 Arioi.imax NIGER Cp. Near San Francisco and Saucelito. Mt. Diablo Range — Yates. Pescadero — Wackenreuder. 10 Arion (?) Andersonii Cp. East side of S.F. Bay, and south to Santa Cruz. These, with another new species of Limacida;, will shortly be published with illustrations. 11 LiMAX CAMPESTRis Binuey. Clear Lake to Santa Cruz. Alta 3,625 feet elevation Nevada county, and Truckee, 5,806 feet on east slope. Probably also in valleys and throughout California, as it is found everywhere eastward. 12 Succinea rusticana Old. Clear Lake, and probably Mojave River. Also White Pine region — Hemphill. 13 S. N ut tall i ana Lea. Clear Lake, and probably Mojave River. Rare in California. Near Fort Hall — Dr. Reid. 14 Vitrina Pfeifferi Newc. White Pine Mts.— Hemphill. Indian Valley, Plumas county — Voy. 15 Hyalina Breweri Newc. Hunter's Point, S. F. county, very rare. Will probably prove a variety of the next. 16 H. ARBOREA Say. Whorls 4 or 5, higher, and larger than last, color darker brown ; diani. 0.22, alt. 0.12. West side of Johnson's Pass, 1864, from 3,650 to 5,000 feet elevation, Portland, Oregon, and Clark's Ranch, Mariposa county, 4,000 feet elevation— Z)«iui. Indian Valley and San Gorgouio Pass — Voy. Also New Mexico and whole of Eastern United States. 17 Conulus chersina Say. White Pine Mts. — Hemphill. 18 PsEUDOHYALi.VA Mazatlanica Pf. Whorls 4, larger, smoother, and lower than Ps conspecia; diam. 0.10, alt. 0.03. Lone Mountain, S. F. county —Ball, Rowell. ♦' Mazatlan "—Ffeiffer (doubtful). 19Patula Cronkhitei Newc White Pine Mts. and Northern Utah — Hemphill. Common. Truckee, and at Mariposa Big Tree Meadows — Dunn. Is often confounded with P. Whitneyi, which is either a smoother variety of this or a flat smoky variety of H. arborea, but is quite variable in degree of smoothness. The southern specimens are usually smoky, but some are found pale like the types from Klamath Lake. Scarcely distinct from .s^rzaie/Za A nth. 20 "Helix" (Anguispira?) Haydenii Gabb. Whorls S)-^, depressed turbin- ate, with 9 or 10 revolving ribs ; diam. *0.80, alt. *0.55. Mountains east of Salt Lake, Dr. F. V. Hayden. (Amer. Jour, of Conch., V., p. 24, pi. 8., f. 1, 1 869.) 21 " Helix " (Anguispira ?) Hemphillii, Newc. Whorls 5, subturbinate, strongly angled, with wide flattened spaces above and below the angle. Pale brown, a darker hand above the angle, narrower ones below and at the suture. Lines of growth strong, and crossed by about six rows of faint tubercular ribs below, fainter ones above ; diam. *6.25 to 0.70, alt. *0.40 to 0.45. White Pine Mts., H. Hemphill. Bears a similar relation to the last as A ? strigosa to Cooperi. (Amer. Jour, of Conch., V., p. 165, pi. 17, f. 4, 1870.) Ammonitella Cp., (Amer. Jour, of Conch., IV., 209, 1869.) Ammonite- 152 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA shaped, the last whorl nearly inclosing the rest ; spire sunken, mouth vertically crescent-shaped, lip a little thickened within ; umbilicus like depressed spire. 22 A. Yatesii Cp. Wh. 6)4, yellowish, corneous translucent, bowl-shaped spire one-third the width of shell ; last whorl much defljxed and expanding near mouth, umbilicus showing 5i.< whorls ; diam. 0.31. alt. 0.14. Cave at Cave City, Calaveras Co., Dr. Stivers and Mr. Holder, Dr. L. G. Yates and others. The first-named gentlemen lost the credit of this interesting discovery, by keeping their unique, but perfect specimen hid from conchologists for several years. Vai.lonia Risso. Form like Patula, but with a white, thickened, reflected peristome, nearly circular and spreading. 23 V. MiNUTA Say. Wh. 4, whitish, smooth, or ribbed, nearly flat, umbili- cus wide ; diam. 0.12, alt. 0.0.5. This American form of the Old World p u 1 c h e 1 1 a 31iVl. has only lately been found west of the Rocky Mountains. I obtained an immature specimen near Truckee in May, which I referred doubtfully to P. Whitneiji as a pale variety. Mr. Harford afterwards found it common near Donner Lake, a few miles above Truckee, and Mr. Hemphill has also found them common near White Pine Mountains. Not having been found north of Canada, itscircumpolar distribu- tion, though asserted by Middendorf, is doubtful, he, like most authors, con- sidering it identical with pidcliella. 24Lysinoe Carpenter! Newc. (Cp.) This species, described in the Proceedings, Vol.11., p. 103, from specimens collected by Col. C. D. Gibbes, in Tulare Valley, has been since overlooked or confounded with others, until Dr. Newcomb identified it with specimens collected by Mr. Gabb in Lower California, and referred by him to Remondii Tryon, a distinct Guaymas species. Mr. Gabb's specimens compared with the type in our cabinet agree very closely, and also with a specimen found by me at San Dirgo, but referred by Dr. Newcomb as variety to rufocinda Newc. Mr. Hemphill has found others at the Coronados Is., near San Diego, and some bleached ones from near Fort Tejon seem the same. It differs from Traskii Newc, previously described, in a a very slight degree, and may prove identical. It was first described from flided specimens, which fact, together with a wrongly-named fossil specimen (undescribed) in the State Museum. led me to place it in the wrong section in my synopsis. L. R we 1 1 i i Newc. is the flattened companion of this, like those similarly connected with Group XIIL, but separated in my synopsis as Group XIV. 25 Arionta Kelletii Fbs. Specimens from the Coronados Is., {Hemp- hill) pass into the variety Stearnsiana Gabb, from Lower California. Others from east of San Diego are very similar to the form called red i m i t a, by W. G. Binney, from Clemeute Is., which is a smooth form of ere br is- tr ia t a Newc* * The specimpn found by Mr. Holder at Alameda, "on the shore," before referred to redimita as an extreme variety, with only 4^ whorls and a form like pomatia, proves to be a faded specimen of Buffoniana Pf (Ilumboldiiana var ?), doubtless imported from Mexico. Ends of four bands are still faintly visible. D.s;dalocheila Beck. — Shell flattened, many whorled, peristome simple or curiously twisted and contracted, two or three-toothed, and a tooth on the columella. 26 D. Harfordiana Cp. (Amer. Jour, of Conch., V., p. 196, 1870.) Wh. 6, flat, the last a liitle deflexed, umbil. wide, showing .5 whorls ; per" -ome thick- ened, with 2 inflected teeth, its margins joined by a thick callus, and a strong, triangular, parietal tooth placed nearly horizontal ; diam. 0.40 ; alt. 0.16. Found by Harford & Dunn at the Big Trees of Fresno Co., 6,500 feet alt. acade:\iy of sciexces. 153 This is one of the most interesting discoveries yet made among our land- shells, being the first of the group found on our Pacific Slope, and also the simplest in its dentation, which, with the open umbilicus ally it it to Triodopsis. This combination is not found in any eastern species of tiie group, though the characters occur separately. 27 d o t r o p i s d e v i a GI(l.[Cp.) Varieties of this species from Oregon (Dunn),-dve sometimes toothless, some with umbilicus hidden by lip, and one with several narrow, pale bauds, probably the result of disease. Some are nearly as small as large examples of Columbiana, and very like them. 28 Triodopsis 1 o r i c a t a GId. Found in the Sierra Nevada, between the same latitudes as in the coast range. At Shasta City (Yoy), Placervilie, 2,500 feet alt. (Rowell), Alta, Nevada Co., 3.(i00 feet, by me. and Clark's, Mariposa Co. 4,000 feet, (Dunn.) Not high on coast mountains ? 29 Pupa Arizonensis Gabb. Found common at White Pine by Hemphill. Of nine specimens, one only differs in having a parietal tooth, like liorducea of Binney & Bland, (which does not agree with liordacea Gabb.) Another is larger with one more whorl, (6) but no longer than the type. ZuA Leach. Shell pupjBform, tapering toward both ends, lustrous, pellucid mouth nearly half of total length, peristome simple, thickened, the ends con- nected by a callus, imperforate. 30 Z. LUBRicoiDES Stimpsou. Wh. 5-6, the last 0.40 of total length, ape.x obtuse, lip often brownish ; diam. 0.10; alt. 0.24. This curious little shell was found by Harford in Alaska, but, though com- mon eastward, was only discovered in California this year by C. D. Voy, who found two at Indian Valley, Plumas Co., with Nos. 14, 17, and Piipilla corpulenia Morse. Binney & Bland follow most authors in uniting this with the European sub- cylmdrica Linn., [lubrica Miill.) but Stimpson and Pfeiflfer saw differences in the shells, while Morse has shown others in the animal. Whether the Alaska shell differs from that of Siberia, or whether several species are not confounded in the Old World, the study of the animals must show. 31 Limnophysa desidiosa Say. Birch Creek, Idaho, Hemphill. Not uncommon west of the Sierra Nevada. 32 L. Nuttalliana Lea, Warm Springs, near Salt Lake, Utah, Dr. Reid, 10 specimens, presenting several varieties. 33 L. h u m i 1 i s Saij. With the preceding. Dr. Rc/d, two only. Mon- terey, Dr. Canfield. 34 L. T r y n i a n a Lea. Seven, either from near Salt Lake or from Fort Hall, Idaho, Dr. Reid. The first of this well-marked species, from east of the Sierra agree closely with coast types. 35 Physa Saffordti Lea. Common with preceding ; also from Snake River Valley, Dr. Reid; Nevada and eastern Idaho, Hemphill, with three varieties of color and size. New to west slope. 36 Physa Hawnii Lea? Specimens from near White Pine [Hemphill) seem nearer to this Kansas species than any other. They resemble P. Carltomi L"a., in form, and like that have three lip-bands. Puoc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Yoi,. IV.— II -^pk. 1871. 154 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 37 Physa costata Netcc. Clear Lake. The animal like that of P. diaphana and variety politissima, also common there. 38 CarinifexNewberryi Lea. Owen's Valley, [Hemp/nil] the most southern locality. Clear Lake, variety minor common, and the animal undis- tinguishable, externally, from that of Planorbis amnion, also found there. 39 Gyraulus vermicularis GUI. Truckee, rare,5,86G feet elevation. Portland, Oregon — Dunn. Merced Falls and Santa Cruz, its southern limits, about latitude 37°. 40 P ni p h 1 y X e f f u s a Led. var. s o 1 i d a Dall. Near White Pine, {Hemphill, who sent them through Harford to Dall, not " Clear Lake," where no species is found). It seems scarcely worth a name as a variety of P. effusa. I found the latter rare at Tehama. Sacramento Valley. 41 Aneylus fragilis Trijon. Merced Falls and Santa Cruz, common, and exactly alike, except smaller at former place. 42 Gundlachia Californica Rivl. Merced Falls, rare with last, under flat stones in brooks running from springs. 43 Aninicola turbiniformis Trijon. Near Fort Hall, Idaho — Br. Reid. Animal of Truckee specimens is exactly like Amnicola externally. 44 Pomatiopsis intermedia Tryon. Near Pioneer Cave, Nevada county. San Francisco, near Industrial School — Dunn, Carlton. Santa Cruz — Dr. Anderson. White Pine — Hemphill. The last are from near the original locality, and only differ from types in being brovm, when the "dark green" Conferva is removed. Those from nearer the coast are distinguishable only by smaller size. I have determined the animals of those from near this city to agree in generic characters with P. lapidaria. It may be identical with P? Binnet/i. 45 Fluminicola Nuttaliana Lea. Tehama, Sacramento Valley. Also Warm Springs, near Salt Lake (and probably Snake River) — .0/-. Renl. None of these approach F. ? {"Leptoxis") fmca Hald. ("from Salt Lake" — W. G. Binney, in Land & F. W. Shells, pt. III., p. 92) which is probably wrongly located and of another genus. The specimens include varieties seminalis Hds., and Hindsii Baird. N, B. — Among the sixteen forms of raollusea found by me in and around Clear Lake, after most thorough search (some being limited to special parts), I failed to find Xos. 40 and 45 or the following, and do not believe they exist there, though reported either in print or on manuscript labels : Physa gyrina Say. Dr. Veatch in Museum California Academy. Cochliopa Rowellii Tryon. Mr. Rowell thinks he may have got it at Panama, or elsewhere. Besides the twelve above mentioned, the following are found in or around the lake: Ariolimax Columbianus Gld. Rare in September. Limnophysa var. Gabbii Tryon. Not rare. L. o b r u s s a Say. Cache creek, rare, with P. diaphana and No. 8. Valvata virens Tryon. Very common throughout lake. The Borax, Soda, Alum, Iron, Sulphur, etc.. found around the lake do not effect the taste of the water, and do not seem to influence animal life, except in limited spots where no mollusca are found, perhaps on account of subaqueous mineral springs. academy of sciences. 155 Annual Meeting, January 3rd, 1871. President Blake in the Chair. Twenty-five members present. Mr. William Blunt was elected a resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : The skull of a sea lion from St. Paul's Island was presented by Captain Scammon. A jar with different specimens of lizards, tarantulas and other large insects from Arizona, by Dr. Sawyer. librarian's report. The Librarian, Dr. Cooper, took great pleasure in stating that the Library of the Academy had increased, during the past year, beyond all precedent, and that the books added were many of them of greater value than any ever before presented, showing that the public appreciation of the importance of our Society as the custodian of scientific treasures is increasing, notwithstanding the establish- ment of various other richer and more popular libraries in our midst. treasurer's report. The Treasurer, Elisha Brooks, reported that the receipts of the present year lacked about $260 of equaling those of last year. This is, perhaps, owing to the #nancial depression. The total receipts were |1,355. The members residing in the country, with very few exceptions, have paid nothing this year. Still we are out of debt, and have left on hand a balance of $8.35. report of the director of the museum. The Director of the Museum, Mr. Bloomer, reported that the collections had much increased, and were of great value, although they cannot be .displayed for lack of room, and are not yet all class- ified and arranged. The Curators labor gratuitously, reaping no rewards but from the love of knowledge ; and when it is considered that these rewards can be obtained in their own cabinet's at home, and when it is also seen that it is done for an unappreciative pubHc — a rich and wealthy public — that has witnessed the meetings of this society in their Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 12. Jaituary, 1872. 156 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA dingy rooms for eighteen years, without coming forward to aid in building up an institution that would be an honor to our city, there need be no wonder that the Museum of the California Academy of Sciences does not present a more satisfactory appearance, however enthusiastic members may be in the general work of the Society. Mr. Bloomer reported that the additions for the year were mostly to the departments of Botany, Mineralogy, and Conchology. Pro- fessor Esmark, of the Royal Academy of Christiana, Norway, is arranging the alcoholic specimens, making about 300 jars ; and Henry Edwards is arranging the Entomological collection. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following gentlemen were chosen officers for the year : PRESIDENT. Dr. JAMES BLAKE. VICE PRESIDENT : Prof. GEO. DAVIDSON. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY : Rev. F. HANSON. RECORDING SECRETARY : H. P. CARLTON. TREASURER : ELISHA BROOKS. LIBRARIAN : J. G. COOPER. DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM : H. G. BLOOMER. Dr. Blake stated that he Hid been to Lafayette, Contra Costa County, to see a mound of shells. It was at a distance of about eighteen miles from the salt water. LTpon examination he found them to be salt water shells, mussels, oysters, etc. He further stated that he did not think it was the Indians who had carried them for food to that distance, as it was far, and it was not a desirable spot for such a use, and his opinion was, that the valley in the immediate vicinity has been a salt water bay. That he intended, however, to make a further examination at some future time. The altitude of the mound is about ten feet, and its extent one Imndred by fifty yards. There were also skeletons of Indians and bones of deer, etc., in the mound, besides many flint chips. Prof. Bolander said that in Mendocino County the Indians now carry mussels, etc., to still greater distances from the sea. Prof. Davidson called attention to the subject of the ship in the ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 157 desert, and stated that Col. Sedgwick says the elevation of New River, where it enters the Colorado, is 150 feet, up which the ship must have ascended. If, as stated, the ship is 250 feet long, it must have a capacity of 2,000 tons. Regular Meeting, January 16th, 1871. President in the Chair. Charles A. Spencer was elected a resident member ; and James S. Lawson, of the United States Coast Survey, corresponding member. Gregory Yale read an opinion on the status of the Academy, to the effect that before it could have a legal character, and be able to proceed with the business of building, as contemplated, it must reincorporate and elect Trustees according to law. He submitted forms for this purpose, which were adopted. The members present attached their signatures to an agreement for reincorporation, and the Secretary was directed to advertise a notice for an election of Trustees, to be held February 6th. Donation to the cabinet: Specimens of the flesh of the Teal duck, thickly studded with Entozoa — microscopic parasites — were pre- sented through the President from Dr. Thorn, of San Jos^. Dr. Gibbons made some interesting remarks on his observations with an extemporized seismometer, or earthquake guage, consisting of a pound weight hung to the end of wire, and stated that 21 hours seldom passed without an indication of movement in the surface of the earth. He said nearly four months had passed without an earthquake movement — an unusually long period in this locality. Dr. Blake and Prof. Davidson suggested that some of the oscil- lations observed in the quiet of the night, as Dr. Gibbons said, might be caused by atmospheric or hygrometic changes, which affect all buildings, even some of stone and brick ; in support of which idea Prof. Davidson advanced a number of facts, including the well known contraction and expansion of Bunker Hill monument. Prof. Davidson made some remarks upon the observations recent- 158 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ly concluded by the Coast Survey to determine the geographical position and elevation of Mount Rainier. By permission of the Superintendent of the survey, he stated that Mount Rainier is found to be in latitude 46 deg. 51 min. 09 sec, and in longitude 121 deg. 45 min. 28 sec. Previous locations of it were twenty miles from being true. The elevation is definitely ascertained to be 14,444 feet, making it 4 feet higher than Shasta, and confirming the speaker's previous impression that it was the highest peak on the coast. In reply to a question. Prof. Davidson said that there are large glaciers on the side of Rainier. The mountain was ascended to the summit last summer by Stevens and Von Trump. The observations relating to Rainier, which have just been con- cluded, were made by Prof. Davidson and Mr. Lawson. Mount Baker, about one hundred miles further north, and in the same longitude, he had found to be 10,760 feet high. Regular Meeting, February 6th, 1871. President in the Chair. Twenty members present. Henry Chapman was elected a resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : A specimen of Cinnabar ore, from the Redington mine, presented by Mr. Durand, composed of ex- tremely rich crystals, which were a modification of the rhombohed- ral system, in the form of an hexagonal prism. A live specimen of Filaria, two feet long, which was taken from a water pipe from a well 200 feet in solid rock, on the San Bruno Road. Fossils from the Aleutian Islands, by Captain C. M. Scammon. Donations to the Library : A box of books from the foreign cor- respondents of the Academy, through the Smithsonian Institution. The Society then proceeded to the election of Trustees, and after considerable discussion the number was fixed at seven — the Pres- ident, Secretary, and Treasurer to act as ex-oflBcio Trustees ; the remaining four to be elected from the body of the members. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 159 The following were elected DR. JAMES BLAKE, ELISHA BROOKS, H. P. CARLTON, DR. C, M. HITCHCOCK, GENERAL JOHN HEWSTON, F. L. A. PIOCHE, SAMUEL HUBBARD. A motion was carried that the Trustees prepare a certificate con- taining the name and objects of the Society, which is to be certified by the officers, and filed in the records of the County Court. Regular Meeting, February 20th, 1871. President in the Chair. Dr. J. P. Whitney and G. A. Carnes were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : Professor Bolander presented the Academy with a large collection of dried European plants, sent by Dr. Hooker, of the Kew Gardens, from the herbarium of Professor Gay, of London. Donations to the Library : Valuable documents sent to the Acad- emy by the Geological Society of New Zealand, The Secretary presented a specimen of the fiber of the Mexican Maguey plant, received from Colonel Evans. The fiber of this plant is used in the manufacture of twine, rope, and textile fabrics. Mr. Bloomer presented specimens of the wood of the lignum vitae, (^Gruiacum officinale) from Bermuda; the lemon verbena, (^Aloysia citrodorcC) from the garden of Hon. George Hobler, of Alameda ; the juniperus, from New Idria, California ; and the tamana wood, from the Society Islands. He urged the members of the Academy to make a collection of woods, and he would prepare their specimens for exhibition. Dr. Kellogg presented specimens of a lily, with the following de- scription : 160 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA On Lilium Bloomerianum. BY A. KELLOGG, M.D. Root a slightly-oblong, broadly-conic, scaly bulb, somewhat laterally compressed ; scales lanceolate, fleshy, elliptically incurved ; two to three inches long : somewhat loosely set; often oblique or progressively developed, but not creeping. Stem terete; very short-pubescent above and somewhat ^scab- rous ; purplish, smooth and glaucous below ; six to eight feet high. Leaves broadly oblanceolate, acute or sub-acuminate ; five to seven — rarely nine nerved ; nerves pubescent underneath ; margins of leaves and foliaceous bracts slightly scabrous ; waved, varnished above ; glabrous and shining beneath ; veins anas- tomosing or reticulate ; whorled in verticels of six to twenty mostly ; somewhat scattered above and below. Peduncles alternate ; long and widely divaricate — often at an obtuse or depressed angle. Flcwers nodding, large, loosely-recurved, bell-shaped ; claws of the three inner petals short — about one-fourth of an inch — and somewhat crested ; claws of the three outer narrower petals longer — one- half of an inch ; light orange-color, with madder brown velvet-like spots. Pistil three-parted or lobed — sometimes cleft half inch or so. This is the most magnificent lily of the Pacific coast. Piduncles are often ten inches to a foot in length, and so widely spread as to be slightly re- flexed. Flowers larger, tighter, looser and rarely revolute ; much more open and flexuous top than the L. superbum ; eight to twelve in number, or, in the most robust specimens, twenty to thirty. This lily is easily discriminated from all others in any stage of its growth. The bulb is purplish. Its first bud above ground is always purple, which hue it bears in stem, leaves and bracts, in every stage of its growth. The cotyledonoid scattered leaves at the base of the stem perish early, as the proper whorls ap- pear, leaving, however, scars to record their presence. The bulbs are larger than those of any other California lily. It offsets sparingly, and is not " somewhat creeping," as in L. pardalinum, which offsets abundantly. In its habit of growth no one would mistake it for L. superbum. Dr. Kellogg exhibited a painting of this large Mountain Lily, to which the attention of the Academy had been directed about twelve years since. As stated and shown at that time, he still held it sufficiently distinct from all others to entitle it to a specific description. Out of respect to its time-honored culti- vator, Mr. H. G. Bloomer, he offered the provisional name of Liliura Bloomeri - anum — Kellogg. "fcO" Professor Bolander said that lie had received from Europe a cata- logue in which a lily had been named L. Humholdtii, and he believed it to be the same as the plant described by Dr. Kellogg. Mr. Bloomer thought there were reasons for believing L. Hitm- holdtii and the so-called L. Canadensis, of California, to be synon- ymous with L. Pardalinum, which was described by Dr. Kellogg several years ago. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 161 Professor Bolander said that he had seen in a newspaper a state- ment that parties were making arrangements to cut peat in the San Joaquin valley, and inquired if any real peat was known to exist in California. He expressed the opinion that the geological and cli- matic conditions of the State were not favorable to the formation of peat. This substance is formed by the decay of vegetable matter constantly under water. Where the vegetable matter was subject to overflows, as was the case along the San Joaquin river, earthy matter must be deposited which would prevent the formation of real peat. Dr. Blake stated, in regard to the shell mounds near Lafayette, that he had learned from an old Californian that the Indians were' formerly in the habit of gathering shell fish on the coast, and car- rying them ten or fifteen miles inland for food. Dr. Gibbons stated some observations he had made regarding the rain in this State. He said that in the Eastern States the rain be- gins in the quarter from which the cloud comes, while upon this coast the rain begins to fall first in the quarter toward which the cloud is being blown. Regular Meeting, March 6th, 1871. President in the Chair. An old coin was presented, with a communication from W. C. Brown, of Marysville. The coin was found in a Chinaman's camp on Wolf Creek, below Grass Valley. It is dated 1717, during the reign of King Charles the Twelfth, while he was King of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. It is a copper coin, in size smaller than a ten cent silver piece. Professor Davidson called attention to an article in the Atlantic Monthly for March, in which Clarence King claims for himself and party the first discovery of glaciers in the United States. Mr. King had made valuable observations, but he had been preceded by other parties in the discovery of active glaciers. Lieutenant (now General) August V. Kautz, U. S. A., attempted to ascend Mount Rainier in 1856 or 1857, but found his way barred by great 162 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA glaciers. Mr. King, in his paper, says it was possible that glaciers may be discovered upon Mount Baker ; but this question was set- tled by Mr. Coleman, of the Alpine Club, who ascended the moun- tain in 1869. He published, in Harper's Magazine of that year, a description of glaciers on Mount Baker, and gave illustrations of them. He also stated that he had received a letter from Professor W. P. Blake, in Avhich he corrects the statement which had been made in the papers recently, that the Western Union Telegraph Com- pany had made the first discovery of glaciers on the Stickeen river, in 1865. Professor Blake published a description of the same glac- iers in 1863. Professor Davidson then read extracts from the letters of some members of the expedition to the Mediterranean to observe the solar ecHpse in December last, and made a statement of the results of the expedition. Professor Bolander stated that one hundred and forty species of grasses were now known on this coast since 1861. Only fourteen species had been observed before the Geological Survey. This was probably owing to the rapidity with which the observers went over the ground. Among the total number he included several species that were cultivated, such as timothy and grasses used for lawns. He had recently found a species w^hich he believed to be identical with that found by Dr. Hooker, at Magellan Bay, when he was on his expedition to the Antarctic continent with Captain Ross. It is distinguished by a remarkably vivid green color, and the Professor recommended it to the attention of persons who intended making lawns. This species grows abundantly from Cisco to the summit, and stock raisers spoke of it as being of especial value for grazing. The grasses around Mono Lake he regarded as identical with those which were natives of Chile. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 163 Regular Meeting, March 20th, 1871. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : A fine specimen of jasper, found ten miles south of Merced Falls, was donated to the Society ; also speci- mens of the shrub Crarrya Fremontii, gathered near the summit of a mountain 4,000 feet above the level of the sea: both by Mr. J. A. Johnson. Mr. Brooks said he had an assay made of some of the sand from Black Point, but the "gold" proved to be brass. The assayer, Henry G. Hanks, said he had made a careful examination of the ground. On the top of the bluff, for several hundred feet, it showed a dark color, and upon examination it proved to be black magnetic sand. He washed sand from several parts of the ground, and obtained particles of the supposed gold, pretty evenly distribut- ed. When examined under the microscope the substance appeared like trimmings and filings. When examined chemically, it proved to be brass, as did the sample furnished by Mr. Brooks. His the- ory is, that there has been a machine shop on the ground, or that the brass filings have been placed there, with an intention to de- ceive the public ; but it is difiicult to account for the black sand and the even distribution of the brass filings. Mr. Durand presented a list of various minerals and mineral lo- calities of the coast, Avhich have not before been made public. Professor Davidson reported that the apparatus he had devised for recording sub-surface temperature for great depths, by means of an electro-thermal pile, had made good progress, even against the pre- vious opinions of the instrument maker himself. It is proposed to register the depth by the well-known means of breaking the circuit of an electrical current passing through two insulated wires in the sounding line — say every 100 fathoms — by means of the wheel- work of W^assey, or similar apparatus. In the changes of temperature, an electro-thermal pile eighteen inches long, insulated, surrounded by a non-conductor except one end, is used in combination with a Thomp- son's Reflecting Galvanometer, not hable to derangement on ship- board. At every 100 fathoms, when the chronograph registers the 164 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA depth, the observer notes the reading of the galvanometer, which readings are reduced to Fahrenheit degrees. Dr. Blake suggested that the unexposed end of the pile should be surrounded by ice, and that by a non-conductor. Professor Davidson said the suggestion was a good one, and that he was anxious to receive suggestions on that and any other point, in order that he may arrive at some knowledge of the conditions of sub-surface temperature, and their influence upon the ocean cur- rents, etc. Regular Meeting, April 3rd, 1871. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : Compounds of cinnabar, chrome and asphaltum from New Almaden mines, by Mr. Durand. A species of Libinia, also apples with a parasitic growth on the skin resem- bling fungus spores, by Dr. H. Gibbons. Dr. Blake spoke of the earthquake shock last evening, which seemed to vibrate from north to south. It was more severe at San Jose, and across the Bay, than in this city. Dr. Ayres said that the severest shocks here were scarcely felt in the direction of Clear Lake, beyond Mount St. Helena. Mr. Bloomer quoted from Brigham's history of earthquakes in New England, from 1568 to 1870, that 148 occurred in winter, and but 74 in summer. Mr. Heynemann thought that the changes in the weather and wind yesterday were connected with the earthquake. He offered the theory, that if a moist current of air is above, and a dry one below it, a thunderstorm may be produced ; while the opposite condition of currents, after a continued drought, may cause an earthquake. Rev. F. Hanson having gone east. Dr. J. G. Cooper was elected Corresponding Secretary, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.' academy of sciences. 165 Regular Meeting, April 17th, 1871. President in the Chair. Henry Keller was elected a resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : Dr. Ajres presented to the Academy a fiile specimen of the Syngyiathus griseoUneatiis, procured at Monterey Bay. It is twenty-three inches long, and about one inch in diameter at the widest part of the body, of brown color, with dark spots. The head is very thin and long, the tip of the bill or mouth being nearly three inches from the eyes. A mineral called "Kaolin," from Lower California, was presented by Mr. C. B. Smith. Lime Garnets from Inyo County, aud Partzite from Ben- ton, Mono County, by Mr. Hanks. He also exhibited very fine photographs of Fungi, taken by Dr. Curtis, U. S. A., in Wash- ington. Dr. Ayers presented a photograph of a trout (^Salmo stel- latus, Girard) captured in a stream running into Clear Lake,which was Sli inches in length, weighing twelve pounds. He says that trout had not been found in Clear Lake until within a few years. Dr. Blake called attention to the condition of the atmosphere during the past few days. The barometer had been lower than at any previous period during the winter. A southerly wind had prevailed for an unusual length of time, with a low temperature ; the upper currents differing from the lower, being from the west over this city, and north at Haywards. Mr. Hanks gave an interesting description of the Owens River country. An Equador Mummy of a female child was presented for inspection. - Regular Meeting, May 1st, 1871. President in the Chair. Dr. Blake stated that the Board of Trustees had decided to re- incorporate the Academy under the old constitution, with such amendments as might be deemed necessary, and they would be acted on at the next meeting. 166 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Donations to the Cabinet : Dr. Cooper presented forty species of shells, mostly collected by himself on this coast, and not before in the Museum. H. G. Hanks presented a bottle of pigment used by the Indians in Mono county ; he also gave an extended analysis of its properties, finding it to be hydrated sesquioxide of iron and silica, reduced to a very fine powder. He had seen " pictured rocks" in Kern County; and Dr. Blake mentioned others, near Salt Lake, so old that the present Indians knew nothing of their history, but preserving the colors very well. A specimen of Poly- porus variegatus was presented by Mr. Turrill. Dr. Kellogg stated that the Indians use the herb Eritrichium hirsutum as a dye, under the name of " Puccoon," the same given by Eastern Indians to the Bloodroot, Smiguinaria Canadensis. Dr. Cooper remarked that in Oregon a species of Trillium was called " Bloodroot " by the settlers, though in no way related to the Sanguinaria, which does not grow on this side of the mountains. Dr. Blake showed a chart illustrating by curves the variations of the barometer as influenced by the moon. The observations were made at Iowa Hill, Cal., in 1855-6, and the oscillations mapped from October to March, to be further completed hereafter. From the 3d to the 7th day after the new moon, the oscillations of the barom- eter are but slight. From the 7th to the llth the oscillations are more mark- ed, and the greatest disturbance takes place between the 12th and 16th days of the moon ; from the 17th to the 21st days there is again a barometric calm, followed by greater disturbance from the 22d to the 26th days and still greater oscillations from the 27th to the 3d day of the new moon. These curves, so far as they had been carried out, plainly pointed to an influ- ence of the moon on the movements of the atmosphere. The i-eason why the barometric changes do not exactly coincide with the phases of the moon is pro- bably owing to the centres of disturbance taking place at different places in differ- ent months, their effect not being perceptible at other places until some hours, or even days after. It has already been pointed out, for instance, that a storm at the Sandwich Islands does not affect the barometer here until two or threedays after its occurrence. In reply to some remarks made by Dr. Kellogg supporting the above conclusions. Dr. Blake stated that the influence of the moon on the atmosphere was very different from its effects on the ocean. He considered that instead of the regular ocean tides, which were most marked at the new and full moon, the atmos- phere was at these periods more liable to sudden changes at some parts of the earth's surface, which produced the great barometric oscillations. academy op sciences, 167 Special Meeting, May 8th, 1871. President in the Chair. Obadiah Livermore and James Garland were elected resident members. Donations to the Cabinet : About sixty species of land and fresh water shells from all the Territories west of the Rocky Mountains, except Arizona, by Mr. Hemphill. Several of them are new, and others very rare. On account of the small attendance of members, who did not know generally of this meeting, further business was postponed. Regular Meeting, May 15th, 1871. President in the Chair. Donations to the Cabinet : Two specimens of bone of the Right Whale, taken at Ounalaska Bay, Behring Sea, 1869 ; also one piece of bone of a Right Whale, taken at Monterey, Cal,, March, 1871, were presented by Captain CM. Scammon, U. S. Revenue Marine. Mr. Carlton, the Secretary, said that, inasmuch as he should be compelled to resign the position of Secretary after this meeting, he wished to make an explanation in regard to the minutes. He had kept the minutes, in great part, not by engrossing them in the record book, but by pasting therein the reports of each meeting which had appeared in the Bulletin. In compiling the annual re- port, many of these printed slips had been cut out for use therein, and thereby the minutes had been rendered incomplete. He asked to make this statement, so that no blame should attach to him after his departure. Dr. Cooper said that, as the work of compiling the annual re- port had devolved upon him, he would explain that the slips which had been cut from the minutes had been preserved, and were ob- tainable at any time. 168 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA On motion, Mr. Carlton was exonerated from blame. The new Constitution was read by sections, and, with sundry amendments, was adopted ; after which the Academy adjourned. Regular Meeting, June 5th, 1871. The President being absent, Mr. H. G. Bloomer was called to the Chair. Mr. A. D. Hodges, Jr., was elected resident member. Donations to the Cabinet : A bundle of rods, having the appear- ance of dried willow switches, was presented to the Academy. It was sent from the northern part of Vancouver's Island, with no in- formation accompanying it except that they were " skeletons of a kind of fish." It was thought by some to be the internal structure of a species of zoophyte allied to Virgularia. Some dried plants were received from Professor Gay, of England, forwarded by Pro- fessor Gray, of Cambridge. Mr. E. Durand presented some of the borings from an artesian well near the Eighth street sugar refinery; also some silico-argilla- ceous slate from the corner of Pine and Powell streets, accompa- nied by remarks on the same. Mr. Bloomer exhibited a very pro- lific specimen of Fritillaria lanceolata, collected by Mr. Dunn. Professor Bolander presented nine species of grasses of the genus Stipa, three of which were entirely new, with the following description : The Genus Stipa in California. BY HEXRY N. BOLANDER. The follow!upe was worth ten cents a pound, but he thought it worthy of a better use. It was indigenous to that country, and was also cul- tivated in a rude way. 'I'he Mexican name is mercatilla. It grows in the State of Guerrero, down to latitude 10 deg. 13 min., being an annual, from five to nine feet high — liighest in damp soil. In Southern (.California, Mr. Morrill thought the mercatilla might be grown with good success. lie had experi- mented in latitude 18 deg. 30 min. with this, and also with the ramie, and thought in that latitude it could be grown with success equal to the ramie Dr. Blake made some remarks on the extent of the deposits that had been formed by the hot spring at Puebla, in Humboldt county, Nevada. He had caused specimens of the earth to be taken at difil-rent depths, and from spots situated in different directions and distances from the i-pring. The farthest spot at which these explorations had been made was at a distance of 115 yards from the spring, in a northwesterly direction, and here, to the depth 198 PROCEEDINGS OP THE CALIFORNIA of five feet, the earth contained a large number of diatoms of the same species as those obtained fro?n the spring — in fact, a large portion of the soil was com- posed of diatoms, evidently formed in the water of the hot spring. From the earth obtained to the south of the spring, few diatoms were found, and in these but two or three were of the same species as those growing in the hot spring. The time in which a s:nall surface like the outlet of the Pueblo hot spring, about thirty yards long and two feet broad, would require to produce thousands of cubic yards of this infusorial earth, almost transcends the power of the imagi- nation to conceive ; and yet this process can only have been going on during the present geological epoch, or since the surface of this portion of the globe has been subject to any disturbance. The earth is made up of fine particles of clay and sand, with, he thought, fully a third of diatoms. It also contains many silicious concretions, and as he is convinced by the formation of the ground that these could not have been car- ried there by water, he concluded that they must be silicified organic remains* On making a thin section of one of these concretions, the microscope showed that this was the case', a pair of legs of some coleopterous insect being plainly visible in the quartz. The greater part of the concretion seemed made up of petrified algce. It is impossible to say, without further exploration, how far this deposit of diatoms extends. He hoped, however, to again have the oppor- tunity of examining the place, when he would certainly endeavor to ascertain the limits of this most interesting deposit. Dr. Kellogg read the following paper : Leptosyne gigantea Kellogg. BY A. KELLOGG, M.D. Root of woody structure, and like the stem, stout. Stem 2 to 8 feet high, 2 to 5 inches in diameter (concentric rings of annual growth, 3 to 8, each about half-inch, pith about an inch), branches whorled, truncated, or abruptly termi- nated, ultimate pedunculoid tertiary branches leafy, chiefly at the obtuse end of secondary stems or branches. Leaves bipinnately divided, segments linear- filiform, sub-spatulate, entire or sligb.tly emarginate, three-nerved ; glabrous, fleshy, alternate, petioles stout, slightly expanded at the insertion, striate nerved (6 to 9), 1 to 3 inches long, or a third of the lamina. Peduncles alternate, often bracted, involucre double, outer series foliaccous, 5-7 linear ; inner 1 2-1.0, membranaceous, colored (y.) ovate lanceolate, acuminate, nerved 16-20); receptacle convex; chaff membranaceous, colored (v.), oblanceolate about 3-7 nerved, incurved, subconcave, deciduous with achcnia. Rays about 1.0, ligulate yellow, disk florets yellow, ring at the sunmiit of slender tube naked. Achenia oblong or somewhat obovoid, obcompressed, slightly incurved, ob- scurely 3 to 5 nerved, surrounded by a somewhat thickened, narrow marginal wing, one-nerved on the inside; not a vestige of pappus upon the coroni- form cup. The herculean proportion of this species at all stages of size, as seen upon ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 199 this Island as well as Santa Barbara, stems at length leafless (no young plants noticed) , the singular abrupt, club-like ends of the caudifonn branches, etc., seems clearly to indicate a distinct species. Before learning fully the habit of growth, from mere floral analysis, we were inclined to view it only as a variety (of the old Tuckcrmania) Le/)tos(/rte mantima. This now plant was collected by Mr. W. G. W. Harford, under the auspices of Capt. S. Forney, of U. S. Coast Survey, near Cuyler Harbor, San Miguel Island, about 40 miles off the coast of Santa Barbara, Cal. This plant is also found on Santa Barbara Island, in some ravines, reaching to 10 feet in height; on exposed cliSs and plateaus it rarely exceeded .5 feet, with a broad canopy of golden flowers and all-pervading honey-comb odor, Of great magniflcence and beauty, highly deserving culture. Its herculean stem and strength of limb defies the fiercest celd winds and fogs, continuing in bloom for several months. The section of stem (about 10 inches in length) before the Academy — 'by no means the largest — is 4 inches in diameter. Regular Meeting, December 5th, 1871. President in the Chair. Twentj-eight members present. Donation to the Cabinet : From A. Garratt, Tahiti, 203 species of shells, corals and radiates. The thanks of the Society were voted for the donation. Dr. Blake exhibited a curious little fish, which he said he had picked up in the market. Henry Hemphill donated several species of rare shells — Helix Idahoensis^ Newcomb, Helix strigosa, Gould, from Central Idaho ; H. fidelis, Gray, from Dalles, Oregon ; H. Cooperi, Binney, IT. Germona Gld, from Astoria, Oregon ; Monoceros lugubris, Sby, 31. jJciucilirata, and Ocinehra gracilUma, Stearns, from Todos San- tos Bay, Lower California. Professor Whitney made an Interesting verbal report of the pro- gress of the State Geological Survey. Dr. Blake introduced Salvador Morhange, Consul General of Belgium, who read a paper descriptive of White Island, New Zea- land — a scene of wild grandeur and desolate sublimity. The paper was a graphic picture of one of the most wonderful volcanic and geyser phenomena in the world. 200 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Professor Marsh, of Yale College, was introduced. He had been traveling since June with a large party, for the main purpose of collecting and investigating the vertebrate fossils of the Rocky Mountain re^-ion. In the upper cretaceous formations of Kansas, his party had made probably one of the finest collections in the world. One in- teresting discovery was the fact that the Mosasaurus, or its allies, were in possession of hind legs — a fact not hitherto acknowledged. Many minute vertebrates, from the tertiary formation of Wyoming, have been gathered. The investigations will furnish a theory for clearing up cpiite a number of the geological puzzles, especially the relations of the ancient fresh water lake basins east and west of the Rocky Mountains. The discovery of a distinct 3Iiocene fauna in Wyoming was an interesting result of their investigations ; also, that the Pliocene basin, in Oregon, contains a large number of fos- sil horses, and two or three of rhinoceros. Professor 'Whitney exhibited some fossils sent by Mr. J. E. Clayton to Pro- fessor Joseph LeConte, and by the latter handed over to liim for examination- They consist of a number of fragments of trilobites and brachiopods, which show conclusively that the strata in wiiich they are embedded are of the age of the Potsdam sandstone, or the lowest member of the Lower Silurian — the so-called primordial rock of Barrande. The locality in which these fossils were discov- ered is near iMireka, Nevada, about 100 miles south of Elko, on the Central Pacific Railroad. The discovery is an interesting one, as the primordial fauna had not been previously found west of the Big Horn Mountains, longitude 106 deg. Among the forms recognized are : Agraulos Oweni, M. and II.,or a spe- cies closely resembling this ; Lhigu/cpis prima, Obohila, Conocoryp/ic, Paradox- ides, &c. — all very characteristic of the primordial rocks. Dr. Blake read a paper on the composition of some of the waters of the geysers, the remarkable feature of which was the enormous amount of ammoniacal salts they contained. The following paper was presented in behalf of Mr. Garritt : ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 201 Descriptions of New Species of Shells from the South Sea Islands. BY ANDREW GARRITT, OF TAHITI. Genus Mitra Lam. MiTRA (Costeli.aria) crispa, Grt. Shell oblong, sub-fusiform, solid ; somewhat shining ; bluish ash or yellowish ash ; spire turretecl, acute ; half the length of the shell ; whorls seven or eight ; flattened, angularly shouldered above; longitudinally-ribbed ; ribs large, slightly angular, intersected by small, flattened, transverse, more or less waved ridges ; base contracted ; aperture white or flesh color ; fauces elegantly lyrate ; col- umella violet, with four or five plaits. Length, sixteen mill. Habitat, Samoa and Viti Islands. A rare species, found in sandy mud, in the upper region of the laminarian zone. Its pale color, violet columella and crisp-like surface, are its most obvious characters. Genus Gibbcla, Risso. GiBBULA AFFINIS, Grt. Shell small, globosely conical, cinereous, articulated by transverse series of small, sub-quadrate, slate-colored spots; whorls five, flattened, last one gibbose, spirally ridged, ridges small — the one on the periphery the larger and more re* mote than the others, and the whole surface decussated with fine, elevated striiE ; base convex ; umbilicus small, crenulate and spirally grooved within ; aperture rounded, with a slight angle at the columella, and pearly within ; outer lip thickened and crenulate. Height, five mill ; diameter, six mill. Habitat, Yiti and Samoa Islands. Not uncommon under stones or reefs, and often found associated with Gih- bula concinna, Dkr., which it closely resembles in shape. The latter species is girdled by beaded ridges, and has a smaller umbilicus than our species. GiBBULA FILOSA, Grt. Shell small, depressly globose, conical, ashy-white or tawny-yellow, apex rose- color, and the whole surface with revolving brownish lines ; whorls five, convex, the last gibbose ; spirallj'-ridged, ridges flattened, and the whole surface with fine raised spiral striae ; base flattened convex ; umbilicus small, spirally-grooved within ; aperture roundly sub-quadrate, pearly white ; peristome thickened and crenulate on the inner edge. Height, five ; diameter, seven mill. Habitat, Yiti and Samoa Islands. More rare than the preceding species, and inhabiting the same station. GiBBULA STRIATA, Grt. Shell small, rather thin, globosely conical, grayish-brown, rarely crimson, del- 202 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA icately mottled with whitish ; whorls five, convex, last one gibbose, sub-angu- lated at the periphery, closely lineated with large, unequal-sized, elevated spiral strise ; umbilicus whitish, small, with deep spiral grooves within; aperture roundly sub-quadrate, pearly-white ; outer lip rather thin. Height four ; diameter, five mill. Habitat, Yiti and Samoa Islands. A very rare species, only found in the condition of dead shells. GiBBULA PRASINA, Grt. Shell very small, thin, sub- pellucid, depressly globose, dingy green, with paler mottlings ; whorls four, strongly convex, the last one very large, rounded, lineated with small, closely-set, spiral ridges, which become obsolete on the base, and cancellated with microscopical, raised lines of growth ; umbilicus very small, simple ; aperture rounded, green within, and articulated with dark dots ; outer lip thin. Height, three ; diameter, four mill. Habitat, Viti Islands. A few examples were gathered from the under side of loose stones on shore reefs. Genus Thala, H. and A. Adams. Thala exquisita, Grt. Shell elongate, slender, fusiform, solid, shining, light pink, with whitish shades, and sparingly dotted with brown ; whorls eight or nine, flatly convex, longitu- dinally and transversely ridged ; ridges small, closely-set, with small nodes at their intersections ; base contracted and slightly recurved ; aperture very nar- row, nearly half the length of theshell ; outer lip thickened and crenulate with- in ; columella with five small plaits. Length, twelve mill. Habitat, Paumotu Islands. A rare and beautiful species found washed up on sandy beaches. Thala violacea, Grt. Shell solid, elongate, slenderly fusiform, shining, violet ; whorls six or seven ; flatly convex, regularly granulated throughout ; base slightly recurved ; aper- ture narrow, half the length of the shell ; outer lip thickened and crenulate within ; columella with five or six very small plaits. Length, seven mill. Habitat, Samoa and Viti Islands. A rare species found under stones or reefs. Genus Cantharus, Bolten. Ca'ntharus pilaris, Grt. Shell solid, elongate, slenderly fusiform, light brownish, with whitish mot. tlings and spirally lineated with deeper brown ; whorls seven, convex, longitu- dinally and spirally ridged ; ridges small, granulated at their points of intersect- ing ; the transverse ones alternately larger and smaller ; base contracted and ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 203 produced into a short, slightly-twisted canal ; aperture oblong, ovate, tawny- yellow and lyrate within ; columella with several small nodules. Length, sixteen mill. Habitat, Samoa and Yiti Islands. A very rare sjiecies found under stones on reefs. Genus Engina, Gray. Engina alternata, Grt. Shell abbreviately fusiform, solid, rapidly tapering towards the base ; longitu- dinally ribbed ; ribs slightly nodular, the sutural row of nodules the larger ; spire sliort, pointed ; whorls seven or eight, the last one ventricose, longitudi- nally striated and spirally grooved ; aperture little more than half the length of the shells ; outer lip thick, crenulate, sinuous above and toothed within ; col- umella somewhat flattened, slightly grooved on the edge and furnished with a row of papilla; ; parietal region Urate. Color : ribs white, under a pale luteous epi- dermis, and the interstices deep brown. Fauces white or livid. Length, fourteen mill. Habitat, Samoa and Viti Islands. A very rare species found under stones on reefs. Engixa gibbosa, Grt. Shell small, ovate rhomboid, rather thick, light brown, with pale transverse ridges ; whorls seven or eight, flatly convex, the last one gibbose, longitudi- nally, stoutly ribbed ; ribs rounded, ten or twelve in the body-whorl, crossed by small transverse ridges and elevated stria; ; base much contracted and slightly recurved ; aperture nearly half the length of the shell ; outer lip wilh five teeth ; columella slightly rugose. Length, eight mill. Habitat, Viti and Samoa Islands. Not uncommon under stones on reefs. Engina Bella, Grt. Shell oblong ovate, sub-fusiform ; apex acute, base contracted and slightly twisted ; whorls eight, flatly convex, last one gibbose, longitudinally nodosely- ribbed ; ribs stout, rounded ten to eleven on the body-whorl ; interstices decussated with raised stria; ; aperture less than half the length of the shell ; outer lip with five small teeth on the inner edge, and the columella slightly rugose ; color ashy- white, with three transverse white bands, the upper one following the suture, and the nodules between the bands yellowish, with i)rown margins. Length, six mill. Habitat, Yiti and Samoa Islands. A very rare and handsome species found on the outer reefs. Genus Fissurella, Bfug. FiSSURELLA foveolata, Grt. Shell depressly conical,^blong, oval, rarely ovate, ashy-white, more or less mot- tled with slate color; radiately ribbed, ribs closely-set, prominent, alternately larger and smaller, from thirty to thirty-two in number, intersected by close con- centric thin ridges, and the interstices deeply punctured ; fissure a little anterior, I'uof. Cat-. Acad. Sci., Vol. IV.— 15 January, 1872. 204 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA oblong, sub-quadrate, anterior outline slightly concave, convex posteriorly ant$ the sides flattened ; base crenulate ; interior radiately grooved. Length, sixteen ; height, eight ; diameter, twelve mill. Habitat, Samoa and Viti Islands. A rare species, remarkable for the elegance of its sculpturing.. FlSSURELLA FKNESTRATA, Grt. Shell depressly conical, ovate, ashy-white, rarely rayed with slate, radiatelj"- ribbed; eleven or twelve of the ribs large, rounded, increasing in size posteri- orly, with small ones interposed, all crossed by thin concentric ridges, which form vaulted scales on the posterior ribs ; interstices finely clathrate ; fissure a little anterior, oblong, sub-quadrate, slightly contracted anteriorly ; base irre- gularly crenulate ; interior radiately grooved. Length, fifteen ; height, seven ; diam. twelve mill. Habitat, Viti and Samoa Islands. A very rare species. It can be readily distinguished by its three large- posterior ribs being much more developed than the others. Genus Pitys, Beck. PiTYS MAUPIENSIS, Grt. Shell umbilicate,. sub-discoid, thin, sub-pellucid, elcvately striated, stri;c- crowded, finer beneath, brownish, more or less tessellated with dark brown, and sometimes the body adorned with zigzag stripes; spire convex, ai)ex Hat :. suture rather deeply impressed ; whorls six and a half, rounded, regularly and, slowly increasing, the last one slanting inward from the shoulder; umliilicns small, deep, about one-fifth the greatest diameter of the shell ; aperture vertical, narrow, luniform, fauces with four, columella with one, and the parietal regioiii with throe lamelloe ; peristome thin, simple. Diam., three ; height, one and a half mill.. Habitat, Maupiti Island, Society Islands. A common species, peculiar to the above location, where it occurs under dead wood and among stones. It belongs to the same group as Pihjs mmliceHa,. Fer. and P. muliilamenata, Grt. Pitys TANEiE, Grt. Shell umbilicate, discoid, thin, sub-pellucid, brownish liorn color, tessellated' and rayed with deep brown ; plicately ribbed, riijs small, oblique, acntciy curved, somewhat irregularly disposed, rather distant, but finer and more- crowded beneath ; spire convex, flattened at the apex ; whorls six and a half,, convex, slowly and regularly increasing, slightly sulcate near the suture, last one acutely carinate, flattened above, not descending in front, convex beneath, and angular near the umbilicus ; suture well impressed ; umbilicus large, per- spective, freely showing the whorls, a little more than a third the greatest diameter of the shell ; aperture oblique, rhomboid-lunate, wider than deep ;. parietal region with a small revolving lamella; peristome thin, simple. Diam., four and a half; height, one and a half mill? Habitat, Maupiti Island, Society Islands. A very abundant species, found on the ground in damp forests. It belongs- to the group rei)rescnted by P.fninifncta, field and IJunliincnsui. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 205 [Errata. "bright.'] On page 122, ante, eighth line from bottom, for "grey," read Annual Meeting, January 2d, 1872. President Blake in the Chair. Twenty-six members present. Prof. K. G. Ehrenberg, of Berlin, Prussia, and Charles Darwin, of Kent, England, were elected honorary members. The President delivered his annual address, reviewing the pro- gress of scientific research, and exhibiting the advance made by the Academy the past year ; also, calling the attention of the mem- bers to the present system of education, and offering suggestions for improvement in the prevailing methods of instruction. Reports of the Director of the Museum and of the Curators, were read and accepted. The Treasurer submitted his Annual Report, showing a balance on hand, from Dec. 31st, 1870, of -f 8.35 ; and amount received from members during the year 1871, <$1,271.00, making a total of tii*l,279.35. The disbursements for the same period amount to •"^l, 1(5(3.50, leaving a balance on hand, at this date, of f 112. 85. There are, however, outstanding liabilities, Avhich amount to $125. 50, which will, when paid, leave us in debt for the year, in the sum of '1^12.65, to be met by unsettled monthly dues. On motion, the report was accepted and ordered filed. The election of officers for the coming year being in proper order, the following gentlemen were elected ; PRESIDENT. GEORGE DAVIDSON. VICE PRESIDENT : JOHN HEWSTON, Jr. CORRESPONDINa SECRETARY : HENRY G. HANKS. DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEUM : H. G. BLOOMER. TREASURES : ELISHA BROOKS. RECORDING SECRETARY : GEORGE HEWSTON, M.D. LIBRARIAN : C. N. ELLINWOOD. Proc. Cal. Ac.uj. Sci., Vol. IV.— 16. January, 1873. 206 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA TKUSTEES.' JAMES BLAKE, M.D. JOHN HEWSTON, Jr. C. M. HITCHCOCK, M.D. D. D. COLTON. On motion of Dr. Henry Gibbons, the thanks of the Academy were unanimously tendered to the retiring President for the dihgence and fideUty with which he has performed his official duties. Donation to the Museum : A valuable collection of mounted specimens of Lepidoptera was presented by Henry Edwards, Esq. Eegular Meeting, January 15th, 1872. Vice-President in the Chair. Twenty-five members present. On nomination of the Trustees, W. G. W. Harford and H. G. Bloomer were elected life members, in recognition of important .services rendered to the Academy. Donations to the Library : American Naturalist, Dec, 1872. Report of Lib. Company of Phila., Jan., 1872. The Eng. and Mining Jour., Nos. 25 and 26. Am. Jour, of Science and Art, Jan., 1872. Appeal for Restoration of the Strasbourg Library. Am. Chemist, Vol. II, No. 6. W. H. Dall on the Limpets, etc., of the West Coast of America, 1871. Sitz. ver. Kon. Ak. Wiss. Bay. zu Munchen, Bd. I and II; Abhandl. 1, 1870. Sitz. ber. Kais Ak, Wiss. Ixi, Bd. II and III, 1870. Sitz. der. Nat. Ges. Isis, Oct.-Dec, Dresden, 1870. Mem. Imp. Acad. Sci. St. Petersburg, XVI, Sei. vii, Nos. 1-8. Verh. Batav. Gen. v. Kunst. en Wetens., XXX-XXXIII, Batavia, 1863-4-6-8. Abh. Her. Lenkenburgische Natf Ges. Frankfort, 1870. Be- richt. do., 1869-70. Abh. Nat. Ges. zu Halle, 1870-71, 2 Parts. Arachniden. Australiens. Koch. Nurnberg, 1871. Jarb. Kais. Kon. Geol. Reichsanstalt, Wien., 1870 ; Verhandl. do. Wien, 1870. Deukschr. v. Chr. E. H. v. Meyer, von C. E. Zittel, Munchen, 1870. Deukschr. Naturf. Verein zu Riga, 1870. Zur. Ges. Forsch. Phosphorite des. Mittel Russl., Riga, 1870. Tydsch. v. Ind. Taal Land und Volkenkunde, Batavia, 1864-8, Batavisehe Genootsch. Dl. I-VII- Zobl. Garten, Frankfurt am IMain, 1870, 12 Nos. Verhl. K. K. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien., Bd. XX, Hft. i-iv. Zeitschr. Deutsch. Geol. Ges., Berlin. May, 1870- Jan. 1871, XXII Bd. Sver. Geol. Unders., 36-41. Bull. See. Imp. Nat. Moscow, 1870, Nos. 1-2. Of. Finsk. Vet. Soc. Forh., Helsingfors. XII, 1869 *Accorcling to the Constitution, the number of Trustees is seven ; the President, Treas- urer and Recording Secretary, being ex-officio Trustees. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 207 -1870. Ov. Kong. Dansk. Yiilensk, Selsk. Forh. Naclir. K. Ges. Wiss. d. Georg. Aug. Univ. Gottingen, 1870. Schriit. Ver. Vcrbr. Nat. Kcuntn. AVien., 1868-70, 9th Bd. Corrcsp. Xatiirf. Voreins zu Riga, 1870. Der. ge- genart. Staiide, des Seident. v. Dr. J. J. Rein, Frankfurt, 18()8. Verb. Schvveiz, Natiiribrch. Ges. Solothurn., 1870, Abb. heraus:^. Naturw. Verein zu Bremen, Bd. II, 1871. Die ausgest. u. aussterbend. Tliiere der jungst. Erar periode, Wien, 1870. Kurz. Ber. Ergebr. nein. AusH. ober Agram an den Plattensee. Kat. Biblio. Batav. Gen. Wetensch. und Kat. der Ethnol. af'd. Mus. Genoot^^cliap. Batav., Batavia, 1870. Froc. Phil. Soc. Gkisgow, VI, No. 4, YII, Nos. 1-2. Six Charts, Sveriges Geologiska undersokuung. Dr. Hewston exhibited a forked limb of a mangrove tree, en- crusted with a species of Ostrtea, of large size, collected by his son at Magdalena Bav, Lower California. Dr. Blake remarked, that he had recently noticed in a deep water-course back of the Mission Dolores, the trunks of large red- wood trees (^Sequoia sempervirens) ^ buried to a depth of thirty feet below the surface. Mr. C. D. Gibbes presented a communication upon meteorological observations which he had made in the Sierra Nevada in the winter of 1862-3. His locality was at Bed Mountain, the commence- ment of the eastern summit range which incloses Lake Tahoe, and in latitude 38 deg. 42 min.; longitude, 119 deg. 56 min. It has an elevation of about 9,000 feet above the sea ; but his observa- tions were made about half way up the mountain. In August, 1861, he had discovered on this mountain upon the southeast face of rocks, bushes and large pines, numerous small blood-red patches, which looked as if from some wounded animal ; but were found over an extent of twenty or thirty acres, and on the trees, as high as could be seen ; they seemed as if driven and deposited by a storm from the southeast, but no specimens were obtained for examination and identification. At 8,000 or 9,000 feet, he frequently noticed the Protococcus nivalis, or "red snow." The meteorological observations show that the thermometer did not fall below 8 deg. during the winter ; that the southwest winds gave bad weather, mth gales, snow and clouds ; west and north- west winds, brought clear weather. The annexed table gives the characteristic features of the winter. There was no rain through- out the given six months ; and there were forty-six clear days and nights out of ninety-nine. In November, when the weather was clear, the record notes the days as " clear and pleasant ;" and in 208 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA December, as " clear, and no wind ;" " clear and pleasant." Jan- uary and February, were very variable. Date. Mean Temperature. Max. Miu. Days of snow. Depth of suow. I'eet. Clear day.s and Sum-ise. Noon. Sunset. nights. September, 1862 1 1.0 October " * • 3 3.0 from Nov. 19, " 31.0 44.6 36.1 48 26 ' ' 8 December, " 24.4 31.3 27.7 48 8 5 1.9. 17 January, 18C3 21.7 26.9 25.0 38 10 12 7.1 13 to Feb. 25, " 19.8 25.4 22.5 38 12 11 6.0 8 Mean 23.2 30.0 26.6 Totals 32 19.0 46 Dr. Stout moved that a committee of three be appointed to report on the exchanges of Publications of the Academy, especially those of foreign societies, giving a brief record from whom received, the titles of the same, and an abstract of the contents. The Chair appointed Dr. Stout, Dr. Ellinwood and Prof. Bolander to act as said Committee. Dr. Hewston, Dr. Stout and Dr. Cooper were appointed by the Chair to serve as a Committee on Pabhcation for the current vear. Regular Meeting, February 5th, 1872. Vice-President in the Chair. John 0. Earl, C. M. Bates, M. D., Chas. A. Wetmore, Henry Carlton, 0. D. Munson and I. Bluxome, M. D., Avere elected resident members. The following amendment to the By-Laws of the Academy, as recommended by the Trustees, was adopted : ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 209 " The Officers of this Society are prohibited from incurring any indebtedness on behalf of this Society, unless authorized by the Board of Trustees, or by a vote of the Academy at a regular meeting." Donations to the Museum : A specimen of sulphate of baryta and sulphate of lime, Dreelite, from the Redington quicksilver mine, Lake County, by Mr, Durand. Dr. Kellogg stated that the Colonial Museum, Wellington, New Zealand, had sent to the Academy a donation to its Museum, which was now on the way here ; it consisted of the skins of birds, seeds of shrubs, etc. A curious crystallization of Oxide of Zinc, by Mr, Durand. Donations to the Library : Volume V. of the U. S. Ex. of the 40th Parallel, under Clarence King, Geologist, on the Botany of said Exploration, presented by U. S. Engineer Department. Report of the Board of Health of the State of California, 1870- 71, from T. M. Logan, M.D., Secretary. Mr. Hastings made some remarks in connection with his inves- tigations of Davidson's improved retort for manufacturing gas from hydro-carbons; and also expressed the hope that the Academy would encourage inventors to exhibit and explain their inventions at our meetings. Dr. Henry Gibbons and Drs. Kellogg and Cooper were, on mo- tion, appointed a Committee to furnish suitable subjects for discus- sion at the meetings of the Academy. Regular Meeting, February 19th, 1872. Vice-President in the Chair. Twenty-four members present. Oliver Eldridge, William Alvord, Samuel M. Wilson, Ralph C. Harrison, F. W. Von Reynegom, George E. Gray and A. J. Chambers were elected resident members. Prof. Rudolph Gottgetren, of Munich, Bavaria, was elected a corresponding member. 210 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA In behalf of the Committee on selecting subjects for discussion, Drs. Kellogg and Gibbons submitted their report, which was adopted. Donations to the Museum : In behalf of Messrs. Nelson and Doble, of this city, Mr. Harford presented a sample of steel, being the first cast-steel manufactured in the State ; it is somewhat im- perfect, a portion of the iron being still visible. Quartz crystals, colored red by cinnabar, from Mr. Durand. A mat, or sack of Macropiper methysticum^ from Mr. James Owens, by Dr. Kellogg. In reference to the last-named gift to the Museum, Dr. Kellogg made the following remarks : " The plant here presented is a species of Pepperwort i-oot from the Sandwich Tslands, known among the natives as Ava or Awa : at his request, a specimen had been sent by Mr. Pond, from the said islands ; but this sack was from one of the Navigator Islands — it is the Macropiper methyHticum ; the thick, woody and rugged rhizome only is used, chiefly for in- toxicating and medicinal purposes ; the root is mostly used by the islanders in the fresh state, macerated in water, or often fermented into a beer beverage. For the cure of venereal diseases and name- less ailments, they drink themselves drunk, when a copious per- spiration ensues which lasts about three days, after which they are pronounced well. In tincture, it has a great reputation as a cure for chronic rheumatism and similar complaints ; for the mucous membranes, especially in lower forms of inflammation, its action is like cubebs, and it is of the same family. The natives too frequently contract habits of dissipation, and ex- cessive indulii-ence be;i;ets a morbid desire most disastrous in its conse(|uences, such as flushed face, bloodshot eyes, weak and trem- bling limbs, paralysis, etc. It would be an interesting subject for the microscopist to examine the medullary rays of this root, and note its similarity to that of the Morning Glory : in ascertaining the qualities of a plant, a great deal is predicated on form ; botanical qualities have a certain bo- tanical form. Dr. Henry Gibbons stated that this plant was mostly used in the form of an intoxicating drink. Navigators tell us that formerly much ceremony accompanied the drinking; the King took the first glass, after which, his subjects being informed by messengers, were at iberty to take their drink. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 211 Donations to the Library: Die Pacific Geisenbahn in Nordamer- ika, von Robert von Schlagintweit ; Californien Land und Feute, of the same author, by Dr. Stout. Dr. Stout mentioned the important points contained in the volumes presented by him, and noticed that the suggestions made by the author, in his remarks deprecating the reckless destruction of our forests, were worthy the attention of the State Legislative Committee on Forest-trees. Dr. Stout, for the Committee on Foreign Publications, submitted a report in reference to the foreign correspondence of the Academy, and, on his motion, the thanks of the Academy were voted to the numerous foreign societies for publications received from them. Dr. Stout read a translation of a portion of " L'Homme Tertiare," by M. L'Abbe Bourgeois. Mr. Durand read the following, in reference to the specimen presented by him: Note on Crystals of Quartz of a red color, by the interposition of Cinnabar. These crystals are hollow, and present small crystals inside. They have the form of a short, orthogonal rhomboidal prism, having planes on the four obtuse angles of the two bases ; planes generally small but sometimes large, and thus chang- ing the general prismatic form into the form of an octohedron. This form be- longs to the orthorhombic system, en- tirely diflFerent from the crystalline system of the quartz. Crystals of cinnabar are also found having exactly the same shape, but are not hollow like the quartz crystals. The crystalline form above described, is not that of cinnabar ; that crystal may be an example of dimorphous cinnabar, or a pseudo-morph of a third mineral, and very likely this mineral may be sulphate of baryta ; which mineral has not yet been found pure in the California mines, but is quite common with cinnabar in the Spanish mines. This mineral has been found near the surface in the Redington quicksilver mine, in Lake County, Cali- fornia. Dr. Blake offered the following resolution, which was unanimous- ly adopted : 212 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA Resolve'l, That the Trustees of the California Acuflemy of Sciences be re- quested, at their earliest convenience, to forward a petition to the Legislature, through the San Francisco delegation, praying for the continuance of the State Geological Survey as at present conducted. Regular Meeting, March 4th, 1872. Dr. Kelloscr in the Chair. ■'oo Seventeen members present. Donations to the Library: Am. NaturaUst, Jan. and Feb., 1872. Am. Chemist, Jan. and Feb., 1872. Eleventh An. Rep. of Dept. Pub. Instruction, State of Kansas, 1871. Am. Jour, of Science and Art, Jan. and Feb., 1872. Am. Jour, of Microscopy, Jan. 1872. Monatsbericht der KonigUch Preussischen Akad. der Wissenschaften, Berhn, Sept. and Oct., 1871. Report of the Geolog. Survey of New Hampshire, 1871. Bulletin Essex Inst., Aug., Sept. and Oct., 1871. Eng. and Mining Jour. Descrip- tion of some ncAv or little known species of Oaks, from North-west America, by Robert Brown. Donations to the Museum : Specimen of Jasper, from a large vein of the same, near Murphy's Camp, Calaveras County, and a specimen of Tourmaline, presented by H. G. Hanks. ' A letter announcing the death of M. Sebastian Rene LeNor- mand, of Lenaudiere, France, a corresponding member of the Academy, was read by the Secretary, and on motion, Mr. S. C. Hastings and Dr. Stout were appointed a Committee to prepare and transmit a suitable memorial in reply to the communication. Communications were read from the President, and from Rear-Admiral Sands, of the U. S. Navy, suggesting the adoption of appropriate resolutions and a memorial to Congress by the Academy, relative to an appropriation of a sufficient amount of the public moneys for the purpose of making observations of the transit of Venus across the sun, in 1874. The Secretary stated that immediate action in connection with Congressional appropriations required a reply from the Trustees prior to a regular meeting of ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 213 the Academy, and accordingly the Trustees had acted in the mat- ter, in pursuance of the request contained in the letters referred to, and had forwarded a reply expressing the sentiments of the Acad- emy. On motion, the Academy endorsed the action of the Trustees. The concluding portion of the report of the Committee on Foreign Publications was read by the 8eci-etary ; also a translation by Dr. A. B. Stout, of a paper by G. V. Frauenfeld, K. V., (Vienna, 1870,) on the " Extinct and Perishing Animals of the Earliest Epochs." Dr. EUinwood read the following abstract from the Transactions of the Society of Natural Sciences of Neufchatel, 1869—70, on the principal discussions ■which occurred at the Archaeological Congress at Copenhagen, 1869, pertaining to the shell mounds of Denmark: M. Desor gives a brief resume of the principal discussions which occurred at the Arch?eologic Congress at Copenhagen, in 1869. He mentions the large and well-classified collections of antiqui- ties in Denmark, Avhere the entire population is interested in them. It was in Denmark that the first classification of pre-historic antiquities was made, and the ages of stone, bronze and iron es- tablished. At this meetin