1886.] natural sciences of philadelphia. 319 



September 7. 

 Mr. Charles Morris in the chair. 

 Thirteen persons present. 



September 14. 

 The President, Dr. Leidy, in the chair. 

 Thirty-four persons present. 



September 21. 



Mr. John H. Redfield in the chair. 



Twenty-four persons present. 



The death of Wm. P. Jenks, a member, was announced. 



Chinese Women and Spiritism. The following communication 

 was read from Miss Adele M. Fielde: In the eighth month 

 of the year, early in autumn, when the full moon is worshipped ; 

 when the gods of grain are rewarded with gifts ; when friends 

 exchange many souvenirs ; when the upper and nether worlds 

 are thought to touch boundaries, then the Chinese women meet 

 privately and fall into trances. Nearly all women are interested 

 in these secret sessions, but many are prevented from being 

 present by necessary occupations elsewhere, or by fear of rebuke 

 from the men of their households. These conclaves are entered 

 by women only, and are regarded by men with great disfavor. 

 The women assemble in an apartment where they- may be for a 

 few hours secure from interruption. From three to a dozen or 

 more gather around a table in the centre of the room. Incense- 

 sticks, spirit-money and bamboo-roots, bought by a previous con- 

 tribution of farthings, are distributed among all present. A 

 fetich of some sort, a decayed splint hat, an old broom, a chop- 

 stick, or possibly a more uncleanly object, taken from a rubbish 

 heap, is brought in, and spirit-money is burned before it, with 

 obeisances. Then those who desire to fall into trance sit down 

 at the table, throw a black cloth over the head, hold a sheet of 

 spirit-money and a lighted incense-stick between the palms before 

 the face, shut the eyes, and remain motionless and silent. Of the 

 other women, some light incense-sticks and whirl them around the 

 heads of the sitters ; some rap constantly, gently and rapidly, with 

 the bamboo-roots on the edge of the table ; some chant invoca- 



