1884.] NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 187 



making it difficult to breathe. Altogether, it formed one of the 

 wildest and most awful scenes imaginable. 



The tide was setting strong to the westward throughout the 

 gale, at the rate of ten knots per hour. At 3 P. M. the sky 

 commenced to grow lighter, although the ashes continued to fall. 

 The barometer rose to 30.30, and dropped graduall}^ to 30.14, 

 when it became stationary. The whole ship, rigging and masts, 

 were covered with sand and ashes to the depth of several inches. 



^'■Aug. 28. Commences with light airs and thick, smoky weather. 

 Hove up starboard anchor, and hove short on port anchor. Dead 

 calm throughout the day and night. Saw large quantities of 

 trees and dead fishes floating by with the tide ; the water having 

 a whitish appearance, and covered with ashes. This day ends 

 with a dead calm, and thick, smoky weather. 



'''•Aug. 29. This day commences with calms, and thick, smoky 

 weather. Made all sail throughout the day. Moderate winds, 

 and thick, smoky weather. Passed large quantities of driftwood, 

 cocoanuts, and dead fishes. At 8 P. M., passed Anjier, and could 

 see no light in the lighthouse, and no signs of life on shore. 

 Furled all light sails, and stood under easy sail throughout the 

 night. Day ends with moderate winds and cloudy weather. 

 Barometer 30.14. 



'■''Aug. SO. Commences with moderate winds and cloudy 

 weather. At daylight made all sail with a fresh breeze from the 

 westward. Found the water for miles filled with large trees and 

 driftwood, it being almost impossible to steer clear of them. 

 Also passed large numbers of dead bodies and fish. Kept a 

 sharp lookout on the forecastle throughout the day. At 10 A. M., 

 sighted Java Head lighthouse ; but the wind hauling ahead, we 

 kept away, and went round Prince Island. Latter part, fresh 

 breezes and thick, smoky weather. Frida}^ and Saturday, passed 

 large quantities of ashes in the water. Saturday, crew employed 

 in cleaning ashes off masts and rigging. Water had a green 

 color." 



July 8. 

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



Eleven persons present. 



A paper entitled " Catalogue of Sponges collected by Mr. Jos. 

 Willcox on the West Coast of Florida," by Henry J. Carter, was 

 presented for publication. 



The following were ordered to be printed : — 



