committee to draft resolutions expressing^ the sentiments of the 

 Academy and present same at the next meeting. 



There being no paper set for the evening, an informal conver- 

 sation took place upon a variety of scientific subjects v^diich pre- 

 sented themselves : sources of the sun's heat, earthquakes, change 

 of temperatui-e of the earth as centre is approached, wells, cis- 

 terns, the waters contained in same, their impurities, need of intel- 

 ligent supervision and inspection of wells and cisterns in view of 

 the expected approach of cholera in the summer of 1885, and 

 otiier topics. In the course of the conversation general regret 

 was informally expressed that the artesian well at the Insane Asy- 

 lum, sunk to a depth of 3,8432 feet, had not been preserved for 

 purposes of temperature (and other) observations. 



After the report of the Corresponding Secretary, the Academy 

 adjourned. 



February 2, 1885. 



The Academy met Monday, Feb. 2, 1885, at the Academy 

 rooms. President Nipher in the chair, and the following members 

 present : Albert Todd, Dr. C. A. Todd, Dr. Evers, Dr. Hambach, 

 Mr. Tivy, Dr. Leete, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. M. L. Gray, Prof. Pritch- 

 ett, and Mr. Engler. 



The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 



Mr. A. Todd reported for the committee appointed to draft 

 resolutions expressing the sentiments of the Academy on the death 

 of Prof. Benjamin Silliman, Jr., the following: 

 To the Academy of Science. 



Your committee appointed to report a tribute to the memory of the late 

 Benjamin Silliman, Jr., respectfully submit the following: 



By the death of Benjamin Silliman. Jr., occurring on January 14, 1885, 

 the physical sciences have lost a devotee of distinguished and meritorious 

 services for their promotion and usefulness. At his death he filled the chair 

 of Chemistry in Yale College, which his celebrated father had virtually 

 created and made renowned. He proved himself a worthy son of the man 

 who, more than any other scientist of his day, successfully established 

 the study of the sciences of Chemistry, Geology and Mineralogy in our 

 country, and popularized their regard and advancement. For the discov- 

 ery and publication of Nature's principles in her labors and evolutions in 

 her sublime laboratory of the Universe ho was zealous, and for their 



