ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 47 



and to have struck persons upon the shoulder. Reports were read 

 from persons at San Jos6, in which it was stated that flesh, brains, 

 blood, and bones were scattered over an area of twenty acres. 

 The samples of the flesh introduced had a fishy smell. 



Much discussion ensued, the general opinion being that the frag- 

 ments found had been disgorged by flocks of vultures flying so high 

 in the air as to be almost invisible. The bones found were in too 

 large pieces to have been carried up by whirlwinds, Avhich it was 

 suggested might transport small animals. Mr. Beardsley said that 

 a case occurred at Gold Hill, Nev., in 1862, when a whirlwind took 

 up 4,000 feet of lumber and tore it to shreds. 



A specimen resembling coke, strikingly like anthracite, being a 

 residuum of petroleum from Downersville Foundry, at Corey, Penn- 

 sylvania, was presented by A. F. Beardsley. A specimen of the 

 Dendrocygna fidva, or long-legged duck, recently arrived from 

 Mexico, and found in our market, was exhibited by Mr. Carlton ; 

 and another, obtained in December, by Mr. Lorquin. 



A letter was read from W. F. Stewart describing a remarkable 

 magnetic storm observed near San Jose, on February 23d, as 

 follows : 



'•A very remarkuble disturbance occurred as Mr. A. S. Hermann was sur- 

 veying, the weather being dry and the sky cloudless, with a liglit breeze from 

 the north. The needle suddenly began to revolve from west to east alternately, 

 and continued to do so until the thumb check was applied, after which the per- 

 turbation ceased." 



Dr. Blake stated that Avhen making observations on the recent 

 earthquake, he had seen the needle dip far more in San Ramon 

 Valley, near Mt. Diablo, than near this bay. 



Regular Meeting, March 15th, 1869. 

 President in the Chair. 



Donation to the Cabinet : Copper pyrites from an artesian well 

 now being bored on Commercial Street, found at a depth of two 

 hundred and eight feet ; by G. Yale. 



Donations to the Library : Synopsis of the birds of Vancouver's 



