292 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



Regular Meeting, September 3d, 1866. 

 President in the chair. 



Twelve members present, and Mr. A. Wood as a visitor. 



Mr. John Swett was elected a Resident Member. 



Donations to the Cabinet: Two specimens of fishes from Dr. 

 Kellogg and Dr. Behr ; specimen of a fungus, Polyporus igni- 

 arius, from Dr. Kellogg. 



Dr. Kellogg called the attention of the Academy to the remark- 

 able specimen of fungus presented by him, Polyporus igniarius, 

 which was found growing upon the Bay tree, Oreodaphne Calif or- 

 nica ; and gave a description of Fungi in general ; alluding par- 

 ticularly to the destructive effect of many species, some producing 

 the dry rot in ships, others destroying buildings, producing the 

 disintegration of mortar in masonry, and seriously affecting the 

 health, or destroying animal life. 



Dr. Kellogg also remarked on the use of some species of Fungi 

 for food, particularly by the natives of Australia, w T ho regard them 

 with especial favor for that purpose. The rapid growth and poison- 

 ous effect of certain species of Fungi were mentioned, also the 

 use made of some species in the arts. 



Mr. A. Wood, who has recently returned from a botanical ex- 

 ploration of Oregon, being present as a visitor, was invited to 

 speak, and gave the following narrative of the recent ascent of 

 Mount Hood, by himself and a party of gentlemen : 



On the 20th of August last, in company with Dr. Atkinson, of Portland, 

 and the Rev. J. Deardorff, of Walla Walla, and three others, I stood upon the 

 summit of Mount Hood in Oregon. From our last camp on the summit of the 

 Cascade Range to this point, the summit of Mount Hood is eleven miles of 

 constaut and weary ascent, at angles about as follows : Five miles in the first, 

 12 to 15° ; two miles to eternal snow, 25 to 30° ; one and one-half miles to the 

 gap in the rim of the crater, about 45° ; the remaining ascent traversing the 

 aucient crater, nearly or quite 60° ! The day was cloudless ; a strong, warm 

 wind from the southeast softened the surface of the snow and favored our 

 ascent, although it gave us much anxiety lest it should loosen some of the 

 tremendous acclivities of snow and overhanging drifts from above us. 



Starting from camp at daylight, on horseback four miles, we arrived at the 

 top at a quarter past two p.m.. in nine and a half hours. 



