300 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



peculiar power over the living economy, and that chemical ob- 

 servation had confirmed the results of physiological experi- 

 ment. The hydrate of chloral had already assumed a definite 

 position in therapeutics. As a hypnotic it had been shown to 

 be an agent sui generis. The sleep it produced resembled 

 natural sleep very closely, and was unlike the sleep produced 

 by opium, Indian hemp, alcohol, hyoscyamus, or any other 

 known agent of the materia medica. Dr. Clark concluded his 

 communication by some observations on the absorption and 

 elimination of hydrate of chloral, and on its modus operandi 

 while in the system. 



Dr. Charles Pickering referred to Professor Sophocles's 

 lexicon as a most valuable addition to the' works of American 

 scientists. 



Dr. T. S. Hunt made some remarks on the Siemen's process 

 of making cast steel, and called attention to the beautiful ex- 

 ample it presents of the dissociation of gases. 



Six hundred and twenty-fifth Meeting. 



November 9, 1870. — Stated Meeting. 



The President in the chair. 



The President stated that it would be necessary for the soci- 

 ety to elect a secretary to serve during the absence of Professor 

 E. C. Pickering. 



It was voted that Professor N. S. Shaler act as secretary ad 

 interim. 



The committee appointed to consider the disposition of the 

 income from the Rumford Fund presented the following re- 

 port, which was accepted. 



The undersigned respectfully report on the questions referred to 

 them : — 



That the Rumford Fund was founded for the purpose of enlarging 

 and diffusing knowledge concerning heat and light. 



The decree of the S. J. Court respects this purpose perfectly ; and 

 only provides new methods for carrying it into effect. 



