1862.] \\() [Morlot 



Professor Trego gave liis OAvn observations of the culture 

 of Sorghum in Berks County, Pa. 



Professor Cresson remarked upon its disposition to hybrid- 

 ize with broom-corn, and other varieties, and its consequent 

 deterioration. 



Judge Hare made a verbal communication upon the pro- 

 bable tendencies of the modern theories of the metamorphoses 

 of force. 



Mr. Cornelius exhibited specimens of unannealed glass, 

 and illustrated its brittleness. 



Professor Coppee exhibited specimens of rifle, musket, 

 mortar, and cannon powder, and described the perforated 

 Rodman powder for fifteen-inch columbiads. Mr. Tilghman 

 explained the diiBculties once encountered, in producing a 

 powder so well mixed as to explode rapidly, and how the 

 opposite quality is now a desideratum. 



Mr. Peale read the following extracts from a letter from 

 Mons. A. Morlot, of Lausanne, dated November 6th, 1862. 



" There is certainly some similarity between the European and the 

 American stone age. Where the elements were so simple, great dis- 

 similarity could not have prevailed. But some dissimilarity does 

 evidently exist ; and what strikes me most in comparing the collec- 

 tions, is to see the superiority betrayed by the European remains. 

 With certain analogies with savage life, there are here decided tokens 

 of civilization. Then also it would appear as if the arts of peace 

 predominated with us, whilst your numerous tomahawks, entirely 

 wanting here, attest of more ferocious dispositions. But these are 

 only ideas, to which I do not attach any value. Much more study 

 and research is necessary, to see a little clearer into the matter. We 

 know as yet fearfully little. 



"You have looked out chiefly for stone. Field study will be sure 

 to lead to the discovery of the sites of ancient dwellings, where 

 plenty of other remains than stone or pottery will be found. One 

 good spot, carefully examined, can teach a great deal. 



"The Americans will have great trouble in establishing a stone 

 age anterior to the copper age, and in distinguishing it from the stone 

 age posterior to the copper age. And yet this distinction must be 

 made, if a satisfactory idea of the past is to be arrived at. You will 



