258 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



as much interest in forwarding the objects of the voyage as the party whose 

 especial duty it was to carry those objects out. During the 269 days of the 

 voyage we packed and sent home 243 boxes and barrels of specimens — nearly 

 a barrel a day — the contents of each one of which would fill a handsome case, 

 such a quantity that the trustees of the college would be obliged to put up ad- 

 ditional buildinEcs for their accommodation. It would be tedious to enter into 

 details, but I may mention that the collection of specimens of fishes amounts to 

 over 20,000, and the specimens of various kinds in all over 100,000. They 

 were not preserved in the old-fashioned way, dried and rendered nearly useless, 

 but put in alcohol, over 3,000 gallons being used for the purpose. Thus pre- 

 served, the specimens may be dissected and analyzed with facility, and the col- 

 lection will afford materials for years to come. We shall be able to contribute 

 materially to the resources of scientists elsewhere ; in fact, no complete investi- 

 gation can be made in Europe or elsewhere without the aid of specimens from 

 America ; while we are in a position to be independent, and can at last, not 

 only stand on our own legs, but help also to sustain those to whom we have 

 been accustomed to look for support. 



At the close of Prof. Agassiz's remarks, the President stated 

 that in order to allow members an opportunity to personally wel- 

 come their guests, further proceedings would be dispensed with. 

 He then declared the meeting adjourned, and the members pressed 

 around Prof. Agassiz and the other guests of the Academy, and 

 oSfered congratulations and friendly greetings. 



Regular Meeting, September 16th, 1872. 

 Vice-President in the Chair. 



Twenty-four members present. 



W. E. Mayhew and Erastus Dennison were elected resident 

 members. 



Donations to the Library : Several fine photograpli3 of Louis 

 Agassiz, by W. H. Rulofson. Notes on the Birds of Prey of Mad- 

 agascar, by J. H. Gurney ; Ibis, Oct., 1869. Notes on Layard's 

 Birds of South America, by J. H. Gurney ; Ibis, April and July, 

 1868. On a new species of Harrier, from New Caledonia, by J. 

 H. Gurney ; Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1865. Trans, of Norfolk 

 and Norwich (England) Naturalist's Society, 1870-71. Remarks 





