ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 29 



Viewed from Martinez, the sun presented a pale pink color, spotted 

 with puce-colored patches, and varying to violet as the density of 

 the mist varied. A discussion ensued as to the cause of the hazi- 

 ness. It was generally conceded that the obscuration could not 

 have proceeded from the burning of forests in Oregon or in Marin 

 County, although several interesting facts were cited tending to 

 establish that origin, as the sun, viewed through smoke alone, 

 assumes a red color. The more favorite opinion seemed to attribute 

 the phenomena to the existence of saline or silicious matter floating 

 in the atmosphere. The dryness of the air had probably absorbed 

 the moisture from the fog, leaving the saline particles suspended, 

 as particles of ice frequently are, by which the sun's rays were 

 acted upon. This condition of " dry fog" is common in northern 

 Europe, where similar appearances are observed. 



The following was also quoted in explanation : 



A correspondent of the Sacramento Union, writing from Owens Lalie, gives 

 an interesting account of a succession of eartlujuakes that took place in that 

 region, among the mountains, on the 13th, 14th and loth of September. The 

 shocks were severe enough to rattle down rocks from the mountains into the 

 valleys, and to excite great alarm among the few inhabitants. They were 

 counted, too, by the score. About the same time there was an earthquake in 

 Alpine county which was quite severe, showing that the commotion must have 

 extended over hundreds of miles. The air- soon after became darkened by the 

 unnatural haze or smoke, which a day or two later made its appearance all over 

 the State, from San Francisco to Nevada, and even as far east as the Hum- 

 boldt desert. The past year has been the most remarkable for earthquake and 

 volcanic phenomena ever experienced by man. 



Dr. Stout oifered to the inspection of the Society the dissected 

 parts of a specimen of octopus, or cuttle-fish, for Avhich he was 

 indebted to Mr. Aztredo, of this city. He alluded to the terrific 

 but exaggerated description of this animal in the " Toilers of the 

 Sea," by Victor Hugo, who, although considered to be a naturalist, 

 had evidently never viewed the animal he described, and never 

 properly understood the beauty of its physical construcMon. The 

 Doctor exhibited a number of large and beautiful illustrations of 

 the animal, and proceeded to explain its position in the family of 

 the octopidse. While treating of the inaccuracies and misconcep- 

 tions of the nature of the animal by Victor Hugo, he fully confirmed 

 that author's estimate of the deadly power of the devil-fish, and 

 remarked that the specimen which he was now exhibiting could 



