Trans. N. Y. Ac. Set. 102 May 19, 



re-discovered even quite recently. The locality of the rosso antico, 

 used in Rome by the Etruscans, before the time of the Romans, was 

 still unknown to us. This material was used for a great number of 

 purposes, commonly as mouldings, as \ve now use wood. Another 

 unknown locality, though probably in Belgium, was that of the 

 black marble, nero afitico, of the Egyptians. The Romans scoured 

 the world for black marbles. The best collection of specimens of fine 

 marbles could now be made, not by going to the marble-quarries but 

 to the crumbling monuments of Rome. A collection of a thousand 

 specimens, all different, had been made by an architect of Rome. No- 

 where else now did such a variety exist. 



The white marbles are also now growing into greater favor for many 

 purposes. It was exceedingly important that the vast variety of 

 building materials now brought into New York City should be thor- 

 oughly investigated. 



Mr. Elliott remarked that he had seen some small pieces of 

 statuary, made from the Pittsford marble. The material was very 

 beautiful and translucent. 



The President observed that really good statuary marble was ex- 

 ceedingly rare. For the Pentelican marble of the ancients we have 

 yet no substitute. The material of the layer of statuary marble of 

 West Rutland was very beautiful but rather tender. At Pittsford, 

 also, an exceedingly interesting variety was found, white, strong, and 

 of excellent quality. Other varieties of cloudy, blue, dove-colored, 

 and banded marbles had been recently discovered, which were very 

 beautiful. 



May 19, 1884. 



Lecture Evening. 



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

 A large audience occupied the East Hall. 



Prof. H. Carvill Lewis, of Philadelphia, Pa., delivered a 

 lecture, illustrated by drawings and lantern-views, on the subject of 



the glacial epoch in north AMERICA. 



May 26, 1884. 



Section of Biology. 



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

 Sixty-three persons were present. 



