i882. 155 Trans. N. V. Ac. Set. 



The sections of volcanic rocks were then shown and described in the 

 same manner as those of the meteorites had been ; and the interesting 

 result was brought out, of a very close similarity in the microscopic 

 structure of various specimens of these two classes of bodies. What- 

 ever theory be held as to the origin of meteorites, that of volcanic 

 rocks is sufficiently known and universally admitted : they have cooled 

 from a state of fusion. If, therefore, a likeness of internal microscopic 

 structure appears in the two kinds of bodies — besides in many cases a 

 close resemblance in composition — we may safely conclude that me- 

 teorites also have passed through a fused condition, and that the struc- 

 tures in question have originated in them as they have in volcanic 

 rocks. 



Numerous other points were treated of in this paper, e.^^., the prob- 

 able origm of the "crystallites" or " fusion structures " in igneous 

 rocks, as due to unequal rates of cooling among the different constitu- 

 ents of the fused mass, resulting in the segregation of minute portions 

 scattered through the rock ; also the effect upon meteorites of the fric- 

 tion-heat developed in passing through the earth's atmosphere, which 

 efTect is plainly shown in the sections, but is seen to be only superficial. 

 For these and other details, reference must be made to the article as 

 published in the Annals. 



DISCUSSION. 



Prof. R. P. Whitfield, Dr. Newberry and others discussed 

 the paper briefly, agreeing with the views therein expressed, and 

 welcoming its presentation, and also dissenting entirely from the 

 views of Dr. Hahn, as to the presence of organic remains in me- 

 teorites. 



April 17, 1882. 



Lecture Evening. 

 The President, Dr. J. S. Newberry, in the Chair. 

 A large audience was present. 



Chevalier Ernst von Hesse- Wartegg delivered the lecture of 

 the evening. 



The Submarine Tunnel between England and France. 



(Abstract.) 



In regard to the necessity of such an enterprise, reference was first 



made to the well-known and very peculiar discomforts of the passage 



of the Channel in boats, and to the aggravation thereof by the poor 



construction and worse management of the steamers employed. In- 



