marks on Arctic exploration. His well known views in regard 

 to the Behring's Strait route were defended, and many facts tend- 

 ing to prove the existence of an open polar sea were cited. 



May 19, 1879. 



The President in the chair. Eleven members present. 



Dr. Engelmann presented plates to illustrate a pine partially 

 described by him several years ago as P. Blliottii, and read by 

 title a paper in further description. 



% Mr. Nipher read a paper on " Magnetic Determinations in 

 Missouri during the Summer of 1878," and exhibited the appara- 

 tus used in the survey. These papers were referred to the Publi- 

 cation Committee. 



June 2, 1879. 



A. Todd, Vice President, in the chair. Eleven members 

 present. 



In behalf of Mrs. Pickering, wife of the late Charles Pickering, 

 the Corresponding Secretary presented a copy of Pickering's 

 " Chronological History of Plants." The thanks of the Academy 

 were voted for this valuable work. 



Mr. Collet made a few remarks on the occurrence of native 

 Epsom salts in the magnesian limestone bluffs near Jefferson 

 City. The quantity was said to be considerable. 



June 16, 1879. 



Dr. Engelmann in the chair. Ten members present. 



Mr. Letterman donated the nest of a humming-bird, which he 

 had found on a white-oak. Dr. Engelmann remarked that these 

 nests were always found on oak trees. 



Dr. Stevens presented a collection of clay concretions, found in 

 a clay bank near Jerseyville, Ills. 



Dr. Engelmann showed some unripe grapes already affected 

 by rot. He stated that the removal of this fungus growth, when 

 once established in a vineyard, was very difficult. He thought 

 that sulphur or crude carbolic acid mixed with quicklime, and 

 used as a manure, would be of great service. 



Dr. Engelmann also stated that the past May was the driest 



