October, 1S44.] 91 



Stated Meeting, October 1, 1844. 

 Vice President Morton in the Chair. 



DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. 



Mounted specimens of Scotophilia perlatus, Sw., Falco 



, and Buteo , from South Africa. Presented 



by Dr. Watson. 

 Skin of an Ichneumon, from Liberia. From Dr. William 



Blanding. 

 Tantalus melanops, Trochilus vesper, Agelaius , Eu- 



phonia musica, and Tyrannuscinereus, L. Presented by Mr. 



Cassin. 

 Large specimen of Coral, from the Indian Ocean. Presented 



by Mr. Frederick Graefl", of Philadelphia, through Mr. W. 



S. Vaux. 



An analysis, by Prof. Reid, of three Sulphur Springs at 

 Sharon, Scoharie county, N. Y., was referred to a committee, 

 consisting of Professor Johnson, Dr. Bridges, and Dr. B. H. 

 Coates. 



Prof. Johnson read the following communication from 

 Prof. Espy. 



Philadelphia, Sept. 22d, 1S44. 

 Dear Sir, — I send you an extract of a letter which I have 

 lately received, which is only one of many in my possession, 

 going to prove that rain may be produced by man in time of 

 drought. 



"Dear Sir, — The undersigned citizens of Coudersport, Pa., 

 and vicinity, desirous of rendering you what little aid they possi- 

 bly can, beg leave to present to you their testimonial of the fol- 

 lowing facts. 



On Saturday the 13th of July, about one o'clock, the fallow of 

 D. F. Ellsworth, Esq., containing about six acres was fired. At 

 the time the fire was set, the day was calm and warm, and would 

 be considered clear ; there were some flying clouds, with slight 

 appearance of rain to the North, but none in our neigborhood. 

 The fire spread rapidly and burned with great violence. 



