May, 1844.] 63 



Slated Meeting, May 14, 1844. 

 Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



Two letters were read from Mr. I. G. Strain, U. S. Navy, 

 Correspondent of the Academy, (now on an exploring tour 

 through the interior of South America,) addressed to Mr. 

 Phillips and Dr. Morton, dated City of St. Paul's, Brazil, 

 February 2Glh, 1S44 ; of which the following is ah abstract: 



The party had been reduced to three, Mr. Strain, Dr. Rein- 

 hart, and Mr. Christie, the others having left them from sick- 

 ness and other causes. After having reached the head of 

 navigation on the river Tiete, it was ascertained that the un- 

 healthiness of the country through which they would pass in 

 descending that river, was such as to threaten the lives of the. 

 party ; the natives positively refusing to accompany them in 

 the descent, and, without some assistance, the canoes could 

 not be dragged over the portages. In consequence of this, 

 the route was changed, and preparations made to descend the 

 Parana-Panema, which has remained unexplored. A covered 

 boat, twenty-two feet long and four feet beam, was built by 

 the party, and every preparation made to commence the de- 

 scent of the river in a few days. Dr. Reinhart had made 

 numerous collections in various departments of natural science, 

 although he was principal constructor of their little boat, 

 which was so constructed as to be taken to pieces should it be 

 required. Mr. Strain had made two journeys to distant cities, 

 to complete arrangements for his expedition with the officers- 

 of the government, and had at length returned, found all 

 ready, and the little party was on the eve of starting, in ex- 

 cellent health and spirits, and full of hope and confidence. 



A letter was read from Mr. James Ombrosi, U. S. Consul 

 at Florence, Italy, dated February, 1S44, acknowledging the 

 reception of his diploma, and announcing his intention of pro- 

 curing for the Academy, and forwarding by the earliest op- 

 portunity, certain publications of learned Italian Societies. 



