Proceedings of the Academy. 189 



Owing to an error in the pviblished notices, which named the 

 29th as the date of the meeting, but few members were present. 

 And, accordingly, on motion of Dr. R. Z. Mason, an adjourn- 

 ment was taken until the following day, at 2 o'clock P. M. 



Second Session — Executive Proceedings. 



The Academy met pursuant to adjournment, and, in the 

 absence of the President, detained by pressing duties connected 

 with the State Indvistrial Exhibition, was called to order by Dr. 



A. Lapham, General Secretary; vipon Avhose motion Dr. R. Z. 



ason was elected temporary chairman. 



Rev. C. Caverno, of Lake Mills, and Messrs. G. W. Chapman 

 and Amasa J. Finch, of Milwaukee, were pu^t in nomination 

 for membership, and, upon motion, were elected without dissent. 



The following 23apers were read and discussed. 



1. The Metamorphic Rocks in the town of Portland, Dodge 

 county. By A. O. Wright, of Waterloo. 



He gave a description of the positiou and appearance of the rock formations in ques , 

 tion. They were fractured, and presented, to his eye, indications of having been cracke ';'■ 

 hy some subterranean force. The force that acted below sent up through the crevic^'^ 

 steam and heat to the cxteut of transforming the sandstone into quartzite, and, in veins, 

 pure quartz. He also discovered here traces of the glacial period. 



Dr. Lapham said this region had be on discovered many years ago by Dr. 'Thayer ; that 

 it was also mentioned in Owen's and Percival's report, wherein itwas staled that the 

 quartzite is modified sandstone of older formation. 



Dr. Mason said, as the object of the Academy is investigation, he thought it would be 

 proper to invito s(.me one of experience to go to this place and gatlier facts, and give, as 

 far as can be ascertained, the geological appearance, with the theory of iheir causes. 



On motion. Prof. Eaton \\'n.s selected as a committee to make the investigations, and 

 afterwards. Prof. Chamberlin was added to the committee. 



2. The Metamorphic Rocks at Devil's Lake. By A. O. Wright, 

 of Waterloo. 



3. Some Observations upon the Fauna of Mammoth Cave. By 

 P. Engelmann, Esq., Secretary of the German Natural History 

 Society, Milwaukee. 



Mr. Engelmann's paper embraced an account of a late visit to Mammoth Cave, with 

 descriptions of various curious fishes found in its waters, specimens of which were dis- 

 played before the Academy. 



At the conclusion of the readings and discussions, Prof. T. 



C. Chamberlin, of the State Normal School at Whitewater, after 



some remarks upon the importance of systematic work, offered 



the following: 



Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to present an outline of the scientific inves- 

 tigations tliat have been made in Wisconsin, and tliat he indicate what lines of investi- 

 gation it is most desirable to pursue, and that he be empowered to assign such portion 

 of its work to the various members of the Academy as may seem most desirable. 



Which, on motion, was adopted. 



Adjovirned, to meet again at 9 o'clock A. M. to-morrow. 



Second Session — Papers and Discussions. 



The Academy met pursuant to adjournment, J)v. R, Z. Mason 

 in the chair. 



Papers were presented as follows: 



