142 [Jan. 



ly particular to enable me to speak with certainty on this point, I am inclined 

 to believe these intervals of absence are at regular hours of the day. I have 

 seen them two miles distant, in pursuit of insects, which their now large num- 

 bers have probably rendered scarce in this more immediate vicinity." 



Dr. B. H. Coates read a notice of the antiquity of the use of Tin, 

 mentioning its importation from Britain by the Phoenicians, and infer- 

 ring from passages cited from Homer that it was regarded at a very early 

 period as a precious metal. The communication was referred to Mr. 

 Thomas Fisher, Mr. Phillips, and Dr. Elwyn. 



Dr. Leidy read a paper intended for publication in the Proceedings, 

 describing some new entozoa. Referred to Dr. Hallowell, Dr. Morton, 

 and Mr. H. C. Lea. 



January 28th. 

 Vice President Bridges in the Chair. 



The Committee on Mr. Richard C. Taylor's paper, read Jan. 7th, 

 reported in favor of Publication in the Journal. 



The Recording Secretary read the following Report for the year 

 1850. 



REPORT 



OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY 



For 1850. 



It is customary for the Recording Secretary to submit his report at the last 

 meeting of the year, but unavoidable absence from home rendered it impossible 

 for me to offer it before this time. 



Nine members and eight correspondents have been elected, and four members 

 have died, to wit : the venerable and esteemed Alexander Maclure ; Dr. William 

 Gambel, who was not less remarkable for the goodness of his heart than for the 

 cultivation of his mind; our lamented Vice President, Dr. Robert Eglesfeld 

 Griffith, whose amiability and generosity not less than his great acquirements, 

 have rendered his loss severe; and the first elected President of the Institution, 

 Dr. Gerard Troost, who has passed away after a long life devoted to the pursuit 

 of science. 



By comparing the list of the Society published October 1, 1848, with subse- 

 quent changes, there appear to have been elected up to this time 250 members 

 and 51j correspondents, amounting in all to 793. 



It does not appear that the institution was ever so prosperous. The average 

 attendance at the meetings has been large, and many objects have been zealously 

 pursued. Many communications of great interest have been made, as the publi- 

 cation of the Proceedings and the Journal will establish. 



