lxxxviii 



and crushed under the fingers. The wood was rotten, and its 

 structure in a measure destroyed. It felt like a fine, mealy 

 powder ; nevertheless it did not change in the red heat. The 

 sound wood, as well as the rotten material, was changed into 

 silex. The sound wood showed the structure to be coniferous, 

 distinct from our pine wood and more allied to the California 

 red wood. It is an interesting fact that these trees are found in 

 great abundance in the fossil state, not only in America but 

 over both northern continents. He thought that most probably 

 this fossil-wood belonged to the Tertiary geological period. 



Dr. Engelmann said he understood it was the intention to have 

 a joint meeting of the Academy of Science and the Historical 

 Society, to take into consideration the propriety and means of 

 erecting a four-story building for the joint use of the two societies. 

 He saw but few members of the Historical Society present, and 

 he supposed they had not been informed in regard to the meeting. 



President Todd said several members of the Historical Society 

 had met at the time appointed, but there were not enough present 

 to form a quorum. He was sure the Historical Society was de- 

 sirous of meeting with them, and that if any action was resolved 

 upon, and they notified, there would doubtless be no difficulty 

 about a joint meeting. 



December 2, 1872. 



Pursuant to notice, a joint meeting of the members of the 

 Academy of Science and of the Missouri Historical Society was 

 held on this evening, at which some twenty-five members of the 

 two societies were present, and John H. Terry, Esq., was called 

 to the chair. 



After some discussion in relation to the best mode of raising 

 funds for the erection of a suitable building upon the lot of 

 ground recently donated to the two societies, and procuring 

 plans for such building, the following resolution offered by W. 

 H. H. Russel was adopted : 



Resolved, That the present joint building committee be con- 

 tinued, and are hereby empowered to devise, select and report 



