202 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP [1883. 



wholly destroy plants in some instances, must have an enervating 

 influence where it does not wholly destroy, and this would 

 naturally be exhibited in shortening the life of the tree. 



The climate of Alaska had the same favoring influences we 

 found in Great Britain. The warm sea of Japan flowed against 

 its southeastern face, along which the trees referred to were found. 

 The atmosphere was always moist, and severe weather almost 

 unknown. At Sitka, in lat. 51°, as much as 100 inches of rain 

 had fallen in a single year. The harbor was rarely frozen ; boats 

 came in and went out at all times of the year. There were some 

 winters when no ice of any consequence was seen. These were 

 circumstances favorable to longevity in trees. 



Mr. Median concluded by remarking that Dr. Lindley had said 

 somewhere that his researches had failed to show that there was 

 any period of duration of life set for any tree, and that if circum- 

 stances favored there seemed no reason why trees might not live 

 for an indefinite period, and, therefore, arguments offered in 

 connection with the " wearing out of varieties," based on what is 

 called the " natural life of a tree," had little force. Mr, Meehan 

 believed his observations on the longevity of trees on the Pacific 

 confirmed Dr. Lindley's views. At any rale, there seemed nothing 

 phenomenal in the age of the Sequoia gigantea, as other species 

 partook of similar longevity to a great extent. 



Prof. Angelo Heilprin was elected Curator, to fill the vacancy 

 caused by the death of Charles F. Parker. 



October 9. 



The President, Dr. Leidy, in the chair. 



Thii'ty-two persons present. 



The Council reported the appointment of Prof. Angelo Heilprin 

 as Actuary to the Curators, or Curator-in-charge. 



Mineralogical Notes. — Dr. Leidy exhibited a large crystal of 

 topaz, from Mursinsk, Siberia. It is pale blue, with perfect 

 termination, and weighs three pounds three ounces. He also 

 exhibited large cut specimens of white topaz and rich green 

 beryl, which had met with a curious accident. The two, in 

 unpacking, had been violently struck together, and the former 

 had been broken through the middle so as to exhibit a perfect 

 cleavage. 



October 16. 

 Mr. Thos. Meehan, Vice-President, in the chair. 

 Thirty-seven persons present. 



