1850.] 33 



ellipticaljorlenticular, transparent, and measured the l-166Gth of an inch when 

 round. The following day, upon examining some of the cells, which had been 

 preserved between two slips of glass hermetically sealed, the crystals had dis- 

 appeared, and the nuclei had become distinctly and opaquely granular. Acetic 

 acid rendered the granular matter more translucent, and brought into view the 

 nucleolus, which, not being visible the preceding day, probably served as the 

 nucleus of the crystalline body. The animal, when examined, was in a state of 

 hybernation, at which period organic activity is reduced, which would predispose 

 to the crystallization of any salt in solution in an organic cell, for it appears that 

 the frequency of the existence of crystalline bodies in the organic kingdom, is, to 

 a considerable extent, dependant upon an inverse ratio of activity of life. 



Dr. Morton then resumed the subject of the plurality of origin of 

 the human race. In evidence of its orthodoxy, and of its being in 

 accordance with a liberal interpretation of the Pentateuch, he adduced 

 the last edition of the work of the Rev. Dr. John Pye Smith, on the 

 Relations of Geology and Revelation. This author designates the^Deluge 

 as a local phenomenon, and circumscribes its limits. Geologists are in 

 general convinced that it was not universal. 



As regards the opinion that the various races of the human family 

 were primordially distinct. Dr. JMorton is convinced that the tendency 

 of investigation goes every year to strengthen it. In other words, Man 

 was aboriginally suited by his Creator for the various localities in 

 which he has placed him. Dr. M. also read some interesting quotations 

 from Dr. Pye Smith's work, in further support of this opinion. 

 Mr. White, of England, fifty years since, also maintained that the 

 plurality of the human race was in accordance with the text of Genesis, 

 and Mr. E. King strenuously takes the same ground. In 1835, Rev. Dr. 

 Thomas Arnold remarks in a letter to Archbishop Wheatley, " that he 

 fears the physiological question is not yet settled." 



Dr. Morton distinctly disclaimed any desire to enter into controversy 

 on the biblical view of the question ; but he was glad to show, from cleri- 

 cal authors, that the naked facts of zoological science, and the state- 

 ments of Genesis, are in harmony with each other. 



April l&k. 

 Dr. Morton, President, in the Chair. 



Dr. Leidy read a description of new species of Entophyta, which 

 was referred to Drs. Bridges and Zantzinger, and Mr. Powel. 



A letter was read from Mr. James Deane, dated Greenfield, Mass., 

 April 8, 1850, in reference to the publication in the Journal of the 

 Academy, of a paper by him on the Sandstone fossils of the Connecti- 

 cut valley. Referred to the Publication Committee. 



Two communications were read from the Geological Society of Lon- 

 don, dated Somerset House, 8th Nov. and 22d Nov., 1849, severally 

 acknowledging the receipt of late numbers of the Proceedings, and of 

 Part 3, new series of the Journal. 



