ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 161 



the bodies were sewn up, surpassing in texture and strength anything now 

 manufactured in Mexico, is worthy of investigation, as it may still be found 

 valuable for making bags, sails, etc. There was no sign of any embalming 

 substance by which the bodies and cloth could have been preserved, and the 

 only explanation suggested by Mr. Wilson is that it is due to the dryness of the 

 atmosphere, and the saltpetre contained in the earth. He also suggested that 

 the fibres of the cloth may have been derived from the " Maguey," (Agave Ame- 

 ricana) or some allied plant. 



Dr. Cooper remarked that the condition of the foot was 

 very similar to those of the Indian Mummy presented to the 

 Academy by Dr. J. B. Stout, January 21st, 1856, and which 

 had been dried by the action of the air, while protected from 

 the weather by a cedar canoe inverted over another containing 

 the body. That was in the moist climate of Shoal water Bay, 

 north of the Columbia river, and Dr. Cooper who was present 

 at the time the body was removed by Capt. Russell in 1854. 

 was a witness of the fact that no preservatives had been 

 found with it. He also stated that the Indians of the vicinity 

 Could not tell how long it had been there, though certainly 

 not a hundred years. 



Regular Meeting, August 1st, 1S64. 

 President in the Chair. 



Eleven members present. 



Donations to the Cabinet : A box of fossils from Eureka, 

 Humboldt Bay, by Dr. Chamberlin. Fossils from Catalina 

 Island, by Mr. J. E. Clayton. 



Donations to the Library : Silliman's Journal for July, 

 1S64, by the Editors. A Description of Adiantum Jordan!, 

 C. Muell of Halle, by R. Jordan, of Halle, Prussia. 



Regular Meeting, August 15th, 1864. 

 President in the Chair. 

 Three members present. Mr. Miller as a visitor. 



proc. Cal. Acad., vol. hi. H Dec. 1864. 



