Ixxxvi 



the position of the trees in the swamps of that region showed no evidence 

 of any general sinking of the surface. The swamps were covered with 

 heavy timber which antedated this earthquake, and the trees were as erect 

 and regular as in any swamp. Earthquakes occur in that region every few 

 years, and the grossly exaggerated stories of this earthquake certainly had 

 some foundation in fact, but the highly colored accounts of the immense 

 damage were doubtless connected with the legislation of Congress for the 

 relief of the alleged victims of the alleged disaster. 



May 21, 1883. 



Dr. Engelmann in the chair. Nine members present. 



Dr. Engehnann referred to the cool weather at the present time 



as follows : 



Late cool days in May have occurred 



May 2, 1851 29° 



" 7. 1867 35° 



" II, 1864 39° 



" 22, 1838 40° 



After May 2d the temperature has not fallen below freezing since my ob- 

 servations began, and after the 22d the temperature has never before fallen 

 below 40°. To-night, however, the thermometer reads 35°. 



Dr. Engelmann presented a paper on the position of conifers 

 in the system of plants. The paper was entitled, "On the Nature 

 of the Female Flower of the Conifers." The paper was referred 

 to the Publication Committee. 



June 4, 1883. 



Dr. Engelmann in the chair. Six members present. 



Dr. Engelmann made a few remarks on the cool weather of the 

 past month. He stated that on the morning of the 22d of May 

 the bottom of the Meramec valley was protected from frost by 

 fogs, and at the top of the bluffs the air was too warm for frost, 

 while on the valley sides there was a belt where frost occurred. 



