OF ARTS AND SCIENCES : JUNE 8, 1869. 121 



clined at an angle of forty-five degrees. This phenomenon appears to 

 mark at least one epoch when the sea was gradually encroaching on 

 the land, and, though probably not rising high above its present level, 

 contributing to effect a remarkable change in the configuration of the 

 country. I refrain for the present from any further remarks on recent 

 changes. Only this I may still mention, that I did not discover any 

 sisrns of former glacial action or drift. 



It is much to be regretted that there is not more knowledge of geol- 

 ogy to be found among the numerous travellers in China ; if there were, 

 our knowledge of the geology of this vast Empire might be rapidly en- 

 larged. I am sorry to say, that, with the exception of Mr. Kingsmill, 

 I have not met one who has any knowledge of this science. I am left 

 quite to myself; and the more I travel, the more I become convinced 

 how little can be done by <jne man in so vast a country. Still, I hope 

 to be able to lay at least some sort of foundation, which may perhaps 

 guide even those who have not the necessary scientific education, and 

 stimulate further exploration. But more than this I shall hardly be 

 able to accomplish. 



Six hundred and tenth Meeting. 



June 8, 1869. — Adjourned Annual Meeting. 



') 



In the absence of the regular presiding officers, Mr. Thomas 

 Sherwin was chosen to take the chair. 



The vote of the previous meeting, adjourning the August 

 meeting to the second Tuesday in September, was reconsidered. 

 Professor Joseph Lovering was chosen Corresponding Sec- 

 retary, and Professor Edward C. Pickering was chosen a mem- 

 ber of the Rumford Committee, to fill vacancies made by the 

 resignation of Professor William B. Rogers. 



The Council made the following report : * — 



During the year which preceded the annual meeting of May, 1869, 

 eight Resident Fellows, three Associate Fellows, and five Foreign 

 Honorary Members have been added to our lists, viz. : — 



Captain Nathaniel E. Atwood, of Provincetown, to be a Resident 

 Fellow in Class II., Section 3. 



* Unavoidably delayed, and not presented until the meeting of January 26, 1870. 

 VOL. VIII. 16 



