24 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



Adjourned JV^eeting, June 29th, 1868. 

 President in the Chair. 



Twenty members present. 



Messrs. H. T. Livermore, James Peering, J. S. PhilHps, E. R. 

 Howes, and Dr. R. H. Macdonald, were elected resident members. 



Ehsha Brooks was elected Recording Secretary. 



Donations to the Cabinet : A Skull found in Arizona was pre- 

 sented by Dr. Gibbons on behalf of Dr. P. W. Randall. The skull 

 was obtained from a grave near extensive rnins at the junction of 

 the Salt and Gila Rivers. The ruins are quadrangidar in form, and 

 are estimated to cover an area of three hundred by two hundred 

 and fifty feet. When the grave was opened, the lower section of 

 an '' ojo," or earthen water jug, was found inverted over the skull. 

 It seems to have served the purpose of preserving it, for the rest of 

 the skeleton was so decayed as to render it almost impossible* to 

 trace it. Dr. Randall states that the skull bears no resemblance 

 to those of any of the Indian tribes in that region, and he is of the 

 opinion that it is several centuries old. The Indians who examined 

 it said that it was not of their tribes, but was a " Montezuma," 

 though their opinion in the matter is of little value. • 



Dr. Kellogg presented a fine specimen of the long spike, or fruit 

 stem of the celebrated grass tree, (^Xantliorrhea hastiUs) from 

 Hon. George Hobler, of Alameda. The aborigines of Tasmania 

 beat off the heads of these singular trees or plants, by striking 

 them with a pole near the top of the trunks. They then strip ofi" 

 the outer leaves, etc., leaving about an inch and a half of white, 

 tender, milky portion, next the trunk. This is eaten raw, or roasted, 

 and has a nutty, balsamic flavor. The fibers of the leaves are ex- 

 ceedingly strong, but have failed in rope making, as they refuse to 

 remain twisted like flax, etc. 



The President then stated that this meeting was called for the 

 special purpose of considering the advisability of accepting a block 

 of land offered by the Paul Tract Homestead Association, on the 

 condition that the Academy expend $15,000 in putting up a build- 

 ing or otherwise improving the same. After considerable discussion, 

 it was voted inexpedient to accept the proposed donation. The 



