REVORDU OF MEETINGf^ 3,S1 



Samuel H. Bishop, Active Member since 1907, died 30 May, 1914, 

 J. Langeloth, Active Member since 1905, died 14 August, 1914. 



Dr. Kunz presented a note regarding the long period of dry weather in 

 eastern North America, an abstract of which is as follows : 



Eealizing that we have had no rain since the first of August, except a 

 few showers, a possible solution presents itself. We all know that it is 

 believed that the bursting of high explosives precipitates moisture; the 

 evening of the Fourth of July, when fireworks are used, generally ends 

 in a shower. We know, furthermore, that all northern Europe has re- 

 cently suffered intensely from rains of unusual severity, causing loss of 

 life and difficulty in transporting heavy artillery, and that these atmos- 

 pheric conditions have followed the bursting of innumerable shells over 

 a wide range of territory in this region. 



Is it possible that the absence of equinoctial storms in this country may 

 be indirectly the result of the constant and prolonged use of explosives 

 in the war in Europe? Through the courtesy of Mr. Spur, Director of 

 the New York office of the Weather Bureau, it is shown that this is one 

 of the greatest droughts that we have ever experienced. This would seem 

 to indicate that such a condition as actually obtains in northern Europe 

 influences not only its own immediate vicinity, but territory a great dis- 

 tance away. The well-known tendency of natural forces to maintain an 

 average might be the factor producing this startling inequality in the 

 rainfall. 



The Academy then adjourned. Edmund Otis Hovey, 



Recording Secretary. 



SECTION OF GEOLOGY AND MINEEALOGY 



5 October, 1914 



The Section was called to order at 8:15 p. m., Vice-President C. P. 

 Berkey presiding. 



There being no business to transact, the following scientific programme 

 was offered : 



Douglas W. Johnson, 'J'opograimmc Fi:-\Tri;i;s of We.stekx Kl'kope 



AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE CAMPAIGN 



AGAINST France. 

 Summary of Paper 



Professor Johnson described the salient features of geological struc- 

 ture west of the Ehine and explained the influence of this structure upon 



