OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



355 



Hon. Robert C. Winthrop exhibited a piece of the sub- 

 marine telegraph cable, by which it is proposed to connect 

 Europe with America. 



Dr. Hayes remarked, that the copper wire in the centre, 

 with its gutta-percha envelope, will be protected from all 

 action of the salt water by the sulphurizing action of the 

 sea. This would convert the outer layer of iron wire with 

 which the cable is invested into an impervious sulphuret of 

 iron. 



Dr. Charles T. Jackson exhibited a terrestrial globe, show- 

 ing by colored sections De Beaumont's Reseaux Pe7itago- 

 nales, by which he explained his theory of the elevation of 

 mountain chains. 



Professor Agassiz commented upon De Beaumont's theory 

 as being extremely beautiful and ingenious ; in it the v/hole 

 earth is likened to an immense crystal, formed by the cooling 

 of the heated mass, the mountain ridges appearing on the lines 

 of greatest resistance to shrinkage. He stated, that there 

 was a singular coincidence between the number of distinct 

 systems of Fauna, as made out by naturalists of the present 

 day, and the geological systems of De Beaumont. These are 

 each from fifty-five to sixty in number. 



Dr. Hayes exhibited specimens illustrative of his remarks 

 at the previous meeting on the action and products of vol- 

 canoes. 



Dr. Holmes said that he had recently observed an unusual 

 anatomical fact, viz. the power of voluntary motion of the 

 ear in a man. This is of extremely rare occurrence. The 

 individual in question was able to draw backwards and up- 

 wards either or both ears, with considerable force, to the dis- 

 tance of from a quarter to half an inch ; and this was a natu- 

 ral movement whenever he listened intently. 



In answer to an inquiry from Dr. Holmes, Dr. Hayes ex- 

 plained the action of gas stoves in the generation of heat. 



The following gentlemen were elected Resident Fellows, 

 viz. : — 



