their age~may very well be quite modern in comparison with the vast pe- 

 riod of time during which this continent has certainly been the seat of 

 human habitation. 



Mr. Nipher remarked that Mr. Stephens found the wooden 

 lintels of doors at Uxmal, which seems to be conclusive evidence 

 against a very great antiquity. 



Mr. Conant exhibited the upper part of a skull from the New 

 Madrid mound, which was remarkable as having an exceeding 

 low retreating forehead. The skull gave no evidence of abnor- 

 mal distortion. It was found buried with the usual pieces of 

 pottery which accompany the bones of the mound builder. 



Dr. G.J. Engelmann presented a bill of $52.75 for expense 

 incurred in arranging and cataloguing the library, which was 

 allowed. He also read a letter from Mr. Bailey, stating that the 

 catalogue of the books in the library was now complete, and that 

 it would hereafter be kept up to date. 



Dr. Engelmann also reported that the Public School Board 

 could take no action at present in regard to the binding of books. 



Dr. John J. R. Patrick, of Belleville, Ills., was elected a Cor- 

 responding Member. 



March 20, 1876. 



Chas. V. Riley, President, in the chair. 



Twelve members present. 



Prof. Potter reported that Dr. G.J. Engelmann and himself 

 had visited the New Madrid mound region during the past week. 

 They opened four mounds, secured ten or twelve skulls and about 

 one hundred specimens of pottery. They also made a survey of 

 the locality, and will soon submit a more extended report. 



The Corresponding Secretary read several letters, one of which 

 made known the death of M. Chas. Desmoulins. of Bordeaux, a 

 Corresponding Member of the Academy. He also presented a 

 communication from Mr. Amos Sawyer, of Hillsboro, Ills., on 

 American Antiquities, which was referred to a committee consist- 

 ing of Messrs. Conant, Potter, and Geo. J. Engelmann. 



G. C. Broadhead read a paper " On the Porphyritic Rocks of 

 Southeast Missouri," elucidating the evidence that these rocks 



