100 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. 



4. On the Isothermal lines of the Northwest. By J, G. Knapp, 

 Esq., of Madison. 



Tliis paper called attention to the climatic peculiarities of 'Wisconsin, as illustrated 

 by meteorological charts of Dr. J. W. Hoyt and Ur. I. A. Lapham, and sought to explaia 

 their relationto the actual distribution of vegetation, and to the agricultural and horti- 

 cultural capabilities of the State. 



5. On the Nebular Hypothesis in Astronomy. By R. Z. 

 Mason, LL. D., of Appleton. 



The author of this paper admitted tnat there was no conclusive evidence that the pro- 

 cess of world-formation from nebulous matter was actually going on at the present time. 

 There were, however, strong reasons in support of the nebular hypothesis; the first 

 being based on the constancy of the '•moment of inertia," the second on the identity of 

 composition of the earth and eisn as shown by the spectroscope, and the third on tl'e 

 corrslatiun of forces. 



Adjourned until 2 o'clock, P. M. 



Third Session. 



The Academy met pursuant to adjournment at 2 o'clock, P. M. 

 Dr. R. Z. Mason in the chair. 



The reading and discussion of papers were then resumed. 



6. The Mineral Well at Waterloo, Wisconsin, By A. O. 

 Wright. 



LPublished in the Transactions, p. 151.] 



7. On the Classification of Plants. By Dr. I. A. Lapham, of 

 Milwaukee. 



[Published in the Transactions, p. 102. ] 



Mr. Groodwin Lowrie, of Helena, and Mr. Joseph S. Carr, of 

 Neilsville, were elected members. 



Judge Knapp gave notice of an amendment to the by-law 

 requiring meetings of the Academy to be held during the 

 annual exhibitions of the State Agricultural Society. 



An invitation from the directors of the Association for Natural 

 History, to visit their museum, in the building of the English 

 and German Academy, was received and accepted with thanks. 



Adjourned sine die. 



FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ACADEMY. 



First Session. 



The fourth regular and first annual meeting of the Academy 

 was convened in the rooms of the State Agricultural Society, at 

 Madison, commencing on the evening of February 14. A large 

 number of gentlemen were present from all parts of the State. 



The President, Dr. J. W. Hoyt, in the chair. 



Dr. I. A. Lapham, of Milwaukee, General Secretary of the 

 Academy, being absent. Prof. John E. Davies of the State Uni- 

 versity, was elected Secretary ^:)ro tern. 



Donations to the Museum of the Academy were received 

 from ex-Governor L. J. Farwell, of Chicago. 



