academy of sciences. 181 



Regular Meeting, August 7th, 1871. 

 President in the Chair. 



E. V. Joice was elected resident member. 



The following Trustees were elected for the remainder of the 

 year, according to the new Constitution : Fx- Officio, Dr. J. Blake, 

 B. P. Avery and Elisha Brooks. Also Gen. John Hewston, Dr. C. 

 M. Hitchcock, F. L. A. Pioche and S. Hubbard. 



Donations to the Cabinet: Foetal sharks in alcohol, by Dr. 

 Russell. 



Professor Davidson presented the petrified bone of an animal, 

 found fifty-four feet from the surface, while boring a well in San 

 Diego. 



A specimen of coal from Sitka, presented by Mr. Turrill. Mr. 

 Dall stated that the coal contained too much shale and iron pyrites 

 to be of any great value. 



Dr. Gibbons presented a pipe fish (^Syngnathus) . 



Professor Whitney read a criticism on Ehrenberg's last publica- 

 tion on Infusorial deposits on this continent. 



Professor Davidson read a criticism by Dr. Petermann on a re- 

 port given by himself. He explained his position, and lucidly marked 

 out with chart and pointer the course of the great thermal currents , 

 showing the remarkable analogy between the "Kurosiwo" current 

 and the great Gulf Stream. 



Dr. Blake read a letter from Mrs. Toland, describing the adop- 

 tion of a nest of young orioles by her male canary-bird. 



In answer to an inquiry by Judge Hastings, Professor Whitney 

 stated that, since the survey of Salt Lake by Capt. Stansbury, twenty- 

 two years since, it had steadily risen up to last year, but that now a 

 subsidence had "commenced. Similar changes had been noticed in 

 all the salt lakes of the Basin. 



Dr. Blake stated that he travelled with Capt. Stansbury over 

 banks of salt now quite under water. 



Dr. Gibbons exhibited a specimen oi Polygonum aviculare, which 

 he thought might be useful for fixing drifting sands, as it grows on 

 barren, sandy soil, and produces much spreading foliage. 



