331 



The Motion of Fluids and Solids relative to the Earth's Surface ; 

 comprising Applications to the Winds and the Currents of the 

 Ocean. By W. Ferrel. 8vo. pamphlet, 72 pages. New York. 

 Taken from the 1st and 2d vol. of the Mathematical Monthly. 



Dr. Franklin Bache announced the decease of Judge Thomas 

 Sergeant, a member of the Society, who died on the 5th 

 of May, in the 79th year of his age ; and, on motion, E. 

 Spencer Miller, Esq., w^as appointed to prepare an obituary 

 notice of the deceased. 



Mr. Dubois offered, for the inspection of the Society, a 

 specimen of the Washoe ore, which is now attracting so much 

 attention ; with a report of its content in silver and gold, as 

 just ascertained by Mr. Eckfeldt. 



The ore is a galena, interspersed with pyrites and siliceous 

 matter, and, in general appearance, altogether different from 

 the forms of galena which we are accustomed to see. Nor 

 would its physical characters lead any one to suspect that it 

 could be so rich in the precious metals. The specimen is from 

 the Comstock vein ; and it may be stated (although probably 

 known to the members present) that the centre of these mining 

 operations is about three hundred and thirty miles in a north- 

 easterly direction from San Francisco, within the line of the 

 territory of Utah, in a country destitute of vegetation, and 

 very scantily supplied with water. 



From a careful assay, the specimen yields to the pound 

 avoirdupois, silver to the amount of $2 35, and gold to the 

 amount of 26 cents ; altogether $2 61 per pound, or, in the 

 usual language of valuation, five thousand two hundred and 

 twenty dollars to the ton. A considerable quantity of this 

 silver has already been sent to the Mint for coinage. 



Dr. Wood, the President of the Society, delivered, in con- 

 formity with the laws of the Society, the following discourse : — 



Among the regulations of the Society is one directing that " the 

 President shall, at some time within the year, deliver to the Society 

 a discourse on some literary or scientific subject, accompanied by such 

 suggestions with regard to the affairs of the Society as he shall judge 

 proper.'' 



