there have been several migrations from the other continents in very 

 remote times, instead of one. It is well known that there have been, at va- 

 rious periods, driftings of boats on ocean currents from China and South- 

 ern Asia to the coasts of America. It is an established fact that traces of 

 resemblance have been discovered between the Chinese and some tribes of 

 Indians : a tribe was discovered in Central America who had a language 

 similar to the Chinese. With regard to the age of the mounds, the stone 

 structures in Central America were undoubtedly older, and the colossal 

 stone buildings high up on the Andes were probably still older. The 

 stones used in this building were of immense size, and necessarily required 

 some kind of leverage and' rollers, as used by the ancient Egyptians, in 

 raising them ; and this fact showed that there must have been some know- 

 ledge of mechanics among the builders. 



Dr. Engelmann thought that all discussion about the age of the mounds 

 was speculative. The condition of the bones would be governed altogether 

 by circumstances. An alternation from moisture to dryness would bring 

 on an early decay, while uninterrupted and favorable conditions might 

 secure preservation hundreds and thousands of years longer than when 

 subject to change or to other conditions. 



Judge Holmes said that Foster had reviewed all the facts with great care 

 and ability, and bethought the mounds of much higher antiquity than that 

 generally accorded them. 



A communication was read from Mr. R. A. Campbell to the 

 effect that he is preparing a Gazetteer of Missouri, and requesting 

 historical contributions thereto. 



Dr. Engelmann submitted a communication from the Agassiz 

 Memorial Comittee, at the same time stating that at a meeting 

 in Boston a committee had been appointed to raise the funds ne- 

 cessary to complete the museum the great scientist began during 

 his life, and which, when completed, would be a monument more 

 appropriate than any other. He was appointed a committee of 

 one to collect subscriptions from members and forward the 

 amount in the name of the committee. 



Mr. Albert Todd was appointed a committee of one to take 

 charge of and rent out the lot donated to the Academy and the 

 Historical Society by Mr. Lucas. 



G. C. Broadhead, State Geologist, read a paper "On the 

 Occurrence of Bitumen in Missouri," also one on the "Well at 

 the Insane Asylum." They were referred to the Publication 

 Committee. 



Frank A. Fitzpatrick, Thomas DeWitt, and Dr. G. J. Engel- 

 mann were elected Associate Members. Jno. P. Jones of Keytes- 

 ville, Mo., was elected a Corresponding Member. 



