1 



consequent floods and its suftering, could liave been predicted or onJj 

 guessed at! 



We, ant-like, gather isolated facts in all parts of the globe, and may 

 hope that some one who comes after us may in them discover the guiding 

 principles and build up meteorological theories which will explain what 

 now are only startling mysteries. 



Dr. Engelmann also read the following note on the Catalpa 

 speciosa^ exhibiting specimens of the seed pods of the two varie- 

 ties growing here, and of a Japanese variety. 



A native catalpa was found growing in Southern Illinois, Indiana 

 and Southeast Missouri, and was called " Shawnee wood" by the early 

 French settlers, on account of its use by the Shawnee Indians. Michaux 

 knew this tree ninety years ago without distinguishing it from the old spe- 

 cies found in Georgia. Forty years ago a number of them were growing 

 on Main and Second streets, in the gardens of Chouteau and the Catholic 

 Bishop, and a few are still standing on Third street near Plum, and others 

 in different parts of the city. This variety is botanically different from the 

 majority of catalpas found in the city now. It is of larger growth, with 

 larger and more showy blossoms, and it blooms from one to two weeks 

 earlier. In the forests of Missouri it attains a height of sixty feet; the 

 trunk is straight, and it is altogether a most beautiful tree. New Madrid 

 is the centre of its geographical distribution. It grows 'rapidly, and is 

 almost indestructible in water. Gate-posts on the farm of the late Presi- 

 dent Harrison, in Indiana, have been standing for eighty years. The 

 wood admits of a fine polish, and the sap-wood becomes heart-wood in 

 two or three years, whereas it takes the cedar twenty-five years to attain 

 its durable quality. No better wood could be found for railroad ties if the 

 wood turns out to be solid enough to bear the shock, and the railroads are 

 already preparing to use it for this purpose. It should be planted on our 

 prairies, where it would be found a most valuable tree for many purposes. 



Mr.Nipher read a lectu)-e on " Choice and Chance." 

 Mr. Chas. M. Scott was elected to associate membership. 



February 2, 1880. 



The President in the chair. Ten members present. 



The Corresponding Secretary read by title a paper on "Plane- 

 tary Configurations on Cyprian Antiquities," by Dr. G. Seyftarth, 

 which was referred to the Publication Committee. 



Dr. Engelmann gave a verbal statement of the temperature foj- 

 the past month, which was the warmest January for many years. 

 The mean temperature of the whole month was about 45 J degs., 



