TRANSACTIONS OF THE ACADEMY. 165 



taken at Carpenter's point on the Chesapeake bay. The fish 

 is described to be of the genus delphinus — subgenus, delphi- 

 napterus leucas — known as the beluga. Mr. Fisher presented 

 for the use of the cabinet an alcholic sohuion of the arseniate 

 of baryta, which has been highly recommended for the preser- 

 vation of cabinet specimens, especially the plumage of birds. 

 This salt was prepared by fusing together at a moderate heat 

 in a sand crucible, in their atomic proportions, crystallized 

 nitrate of baryta and arsenious acid, made into a paste with 

 nitric acid. The process is simple, and attended with far less 

 trouble and expense than when the ordinary process described 

 in the books is employed. Mr. Quinby was appointed lec- 

 turer for the regular evening. 



May 5. — Specimens were received from Dr. Keener, Dr. 

 Geddings, Dr. Riley, Joseph King, Jr. Esq., and A. Trevallyn, 

 Esq. of England ; and a copy of the Statistical View of the 

 United States, prepared under the direction of the Secretary of 

 State, was transmitted by the Hon. R. H. Goldsborough, of the 

 U. S. Senate. Joaquim Jose da Costa de Macedo, perpetual 

 Secretary of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Lisbon, trans- 

 mitted a copy of his treatise on the early Portuguese naviga- 

 tors. The same gentleman, in his official capacity, addressed 

 a letter to the Academy, inviting correspondence with the 

 Academy which he represents, and giving information that he 

 had sent for the library the proceedings of the Royal Academy 

 of Lisbon. These volumes have since been received, and form 

 a valuable acquisition to the library. Sir Nicholas Carlisle 

 was elected an honorary member. Dr. Geddings, from the 

 section of zoology, reported a catalogue of the insects formerly 

 referred to that section. Dr. Aikin, of the section of botany, 

 reported progress in the arrangement of plants. Mr. Fisher, 

 from the first section, reported as full an account as could be 

 ascertained of the late remarkable aurora borealis, which was 

 ordered to be published. 



AURORA BOREALIS. 



An unusually magnificent and brilliant display of this inte- 

 resting phenomenon was observed in this city on Friday even- 

 ing, April 22d. The appearance far exceeding any effort of 

 which 1 am capable, of conveying by words an exact idea of the 

 beauty and splendour of the scene ; but in conformity with 



