ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 299 



Hope, on the Mackenzie. He left the last mentioned place on the first of June, 

 1862, and reached home in October. This enterprise terminated favorably, the 

 explorer having returned richly laden with specimens, after making a series of 

 observations on the physical geography, ethnology, and the habits of animals 

 of the regions visited, furnishing materials of great interest to science." 



Aside from the extensive collections in every department of natural history, 

 the geographical information acquired by Mr. Kennicott was of the greatest 

 importance. 



In 1865, the Western Union Telegraph Company having determined to 

 extend their wires so as to connect the old world and the new by an overland 

 line passing through Russian America across Behring's Sea to Russia in Asia, and 

 thence to the central cities of Europe, Mr. Kennicott's knowledge of the terri- 

 tory through which the proposed line was to pass made his services indispensable 

 to the Company. He was sought out, and his cooperation at once secured. He 

 entered upon this new labor, hoping not only to do whatever lay in his power 

 to make this enterprise a success, but hoping also still further to serve the great 

 cause that was so dear to him ; and while thus engaged in the enthusiastic per- 

 formance of this self-imposed duty, in the prime of life, he has passed away. 



Dr. Gibbons made some remarks on the relations of our climate 

 to that of the Great Basin, and the Eastern States. 



He also made some observations on Zirphea crispata, living in 

 the bay near Alameda. 



Regular Meeting, November 5th, 1866. 

 President in the chair. 



Fourteen members present. 



Rev. S. D. Simonds and Dr. J. Morrison were elected Resident 

 Members, and Dr. W. P. Gibbons, of Alameda, a Corresponding 

 Member. 



Mr. Bolarider presented a curiously fruited specimen of Quer- 

 cus densiflora, the acorns being only about one-third of the ordin- 

 ary diameter, although nearly the usual length, and having a pe- 

 culiar constriction near the apex. It was collected by Mr. Wer- 

 theman, near Coarse Gold Gulch, Fresno County. 



Mr. Stearns exhibited a specimen of an Astrophyton, caught 



