196 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



to have been extensively populous. It was not improbable that, 

 centuries ago, a Japanese or Chinese junk may have been wrecked, 

 and the crew drifted to one of these islands, and mixed with the 

 natives. 



Mr. Hanks presented samples of the diamond deposit of South 

 Africa, brought from thence by J. H. Riley — one of the first layer, 

 which has to be pierced to get to the diamond deposit ; another of 

 the deposit in which the diamonds are found, and another of pebbles 

 found associated with the diamonds. The last, it was remarked, 

 bore great similarity to the pebbles found at the mouth of the 

 Klamath river, where microscopic diamond dust was found ; also at 

 the Pescadero, Santa Cruz county. Mr. Hanks remarked that it 

 ■was very singular that so many microscopic diamonds are found loose 

 on this coast, and yet that a diamond in place has never yet been 

 found. 



Dr. Gibbons exhibited several half-grown apples, which bore many 

 insects attached to the rind, aifecting the growth of the apple by 

 causing indentations where they appeared. They would not usually 

 be observed by a person eating the apple ; and thus might be intro- 

 duced into the stomach in large numbers. 



Dr. Gibbons gave some statistics regarding the rainfall of the 

 Pacific coast, extending backward during a period of twenty-one 

 years. The earliest date at which the rainy season set in was No- 

 vember 9th, 1852, and the latest December oist, 1854. Dr. Gib- 

 bons said his inquiries tended to show that there was no distinct 

 connection between the times of the commencement of the rainy 

 season and the quantity of rainfall. But, as an average, those sea- 

 sons which commenced early had more rainfall than those which 

 commenced late. By all the data which we have, we can form no def- 

 finite idea of the quantity of rain which will fall during any season. 



Judge Hastings read a paper propounding questions upon the 

 Darwinian theory of natural selection. 



Dr. Cooper said if the Judge would wait until the National As- 

 sociation met in this city, the questions Avould give them material for 

 discussion for an indefinite period of time. 



Professor Davidson said the recent developments made by the 

 aid of telegraphic communication proved that San Francisco was 

 four minutes further west from Greenwich than had heretofore been 



