196 [Decembek, 



Dr. E. K. Kane announced that a new American Expedition was 

 about to proceed to the Arctic Regions in search of Sir John Franklin. 

 Dr. Kane made some remarks explanatory of the geography of the 

 region, and the plan of the proposed search. 



The Secretary then read a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, 

 addressed to Dr. Kane, assigning to him the conduct of the Expedition. 



The following Resolutions were then offered and unanimously adopted. 



Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to confer with Dr. E. K. 

 Kane Commander of the projected Arctic Exploring Expedition, and 

 communicate whatever information there may be in the possession of the 

 Academy, relating to the collection and preservation of objects of Natural 

 History and to procure such instruments and apparatus as may be neces- 

 sary for this purpose, and for his use. 



Committee : Dr. Ruschenberger, Dr. Fisher, Mr. W. S. Vaux, Dr. 

 Bridges and Mr. Cassin. 



December 14^A. 

 Vice President Bridges in the Chair. 



Letters were read 



From the Secretary of the Trustees of the New York State Library, 

 dated Albany, Dec. 6th, 1852, acknowledging the receipt of the Pro- 

 ceedings, vol. 6, No. 5. 



From Dr. H. W. Kennedy, of Buenos Ayres, dated Dec. 4th, 1852, 

 acknowledging the receipt of his notice of election as a correspondent. 



From the Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, dated Dec. 7th, 1852, acknow- 

 ledging the receipt of his notice of election as a Correspondent. 



Mr. Conrad presented a paper intended for publication in the Journal, 

 entitled '' Descriptions of New Fossil Shells of the United States ;" 

 which was referred to Dr. Ruschenberger, Dr. Leidy and Mr. Phillips. 



Mr. Conrad presented a second paper intended for publication in the 

 Proceedings, entitled '< Remarks on the Tertiary Strata of St. Domingo, 

 and of Vicksburg, Miss." Referred to the above Committee. 



Dr. Woodhouse presented a paper, intended for publication in the 

 Proceedings, describing a new bird, of the genus Struthus (Boib.) 

 Referred to Dr. Heermann, Mr. Cassin and Dr. Wilson. 



On leave granted. Dr. Ruschenberger, on behalf of the Committee 

 appointed at the last meeting, on the subject of the proposed American 

 Arctic Expedition, presented the following Preamble and Resolutions, 

 which were adopted : 



Every manifestation of dispoBition in the officers of the National and State 

 governments to encourage the pursuit of truth, by affording facilities to men 

 devoted to scientific investigations, is pleasing to the members of the Academy 

 of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Aware of the important influence of sci- 

 entific researches on the prosperity and happiness of the people, they are gra- 

 tified to observe that the recent report of the Hon. John P. Kennedy, on the 

 condition of the navy, is in tone and spirit cheering to tho-e who are seeking to 



