VOL. 1. ] Proceedings of Societies. 95 
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Garden and Forest, No. 113.—Native Shrubs of California, iii, by 
E. L. Greene; Catileya Skinneri, with fig. No. 114.—New, or 
Little Known Plants (Ligustrum Sinense), illustrated. No. 115.— 
New, or Little Known Plants (Paulownia Fortunei), copied from 
Gardener’s Chronicle ; Notes on American Plants, by F. H. Hors- 
ford. No. 116.—The Mandioca, by Thomas Morong; The Red- 
wood Forest, by Carl Purdy ; New, or Little Known Plants ( Buck- 
leya distichophylla) with fig. No. 117.—New, or Little Known 
Plants ( Berberis Sieboldit), with fig. 
Notes on New Remedies, ii, No. 12. The Active Principle of 
Loco Weed, by Prof. L. E. Sayre, State University, Kansas. The 
author remarks upon a previous analysis made of Astragalus mo/- 
lissimus by Dr. Mary G. Day, considering the crystals obtained by 
her as of inorganic origin. In subsequent experiments made by him- 
self he obtained a crystalline substance supposed to be organic, 
but not yet completely investigated. Further experiments and in- 
vestigations are promised. The people of this Coast should have 
much interest in these studies, several of our species of Astragalus 
(rattleweed) having also a reputation for poisonous effects. 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. Jay 5, 2890. Vice-President Behr in 
the chair. 
Carl H. Eigenmann and Charles Fuchs were elected resident members. 
May 19, 1890. President Harkness in the chair, 
Chas. A. Keeler was proposed for membership. 
Mr. F. Gutzkow communicated that he had lately occasion to examine the de- 
posits of so-called pyrolusite or manganese ore found in many places within the 
city limits of San Francisco. He reported that they consisted principally of psilo- 
melane, or ‘‘ hard” ore of manganese, containing a notable quantity of barya and 
about 57 per cent. of peroxide of manganese. As the maximum percentage of 
psilomelane rarely exceeds 60 per cent., while the German pyrolusite assays up into 
the nineties, it will be easily understood why shipments made to England about 
twenty years ago had to be discontinued. 
Examination of specimens from other Californian localities seems to show that 
most, if not all, deposits of pyrolusite mentioned in various geological publications 
ought to be properly called deposits of psilomelane. 
Mr. C. H. Eigenmann spoke on the development of the membranes in the eggs 
of fishes. He said that the simplest form of an egg membrane is a thin membrane 
traversed by fine canals. This membrane, the zona radiata, which is present in all 
fish eggs, is the only covering of those eggs, which are lighter than water, and 
