105 



and in publishing their results, would render the Institution less effi- 

 cient for the fulfilment of the trusts under which it was founded, — and 

 that the advantages accruing from the formation of a public library 

 would in no wise compensate the loss thus incurred. 



It was further ordered that a copy of the foregoing resolu- 

 tions be attested by the Secretary of the Society, and for- 

 warded to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Stated Meeting, March 16. 



Present, twelve members. 



Prof. Frazer, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



A letter was read from Joseph Henry, Secretary of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, dated Washington, March 8, 1855, 

 returning thanks, on behalf of the Board of Regents, for the 

 expression of approbation on the part of this Society, of the 

 course they have pursued, as indicated by the resolutions 

 adopted by the Society at last meeting. 



The following donations were announced: — 



FOR THE LIBRARY. 



Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XV. No. 

 3. Jan. 12, 1855. London. 8vo. — From the Society. 



An Essay to prove the Contagious Character of Malignant Cholera, 

 with brief Instructions for its Prevention and Cure. By Bernard 

 M. Byrne, M.D., Surgeon U. S. Army. Philadelphia, 1855. 

 8vo. — From the Author. 



Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Annual Reports of the Trus- 

 tees of the Philadelphia Gas Works, to the Select and Common 

 Councils of the City of Philadelphia, 1853, 1854, 1855:— with 

 two Pamphlets containing the Proceedings in the Supreme Court 

 of Pennsylvania, for the Eastern District, July Term, 1854, in 

 relation to the Philadelphia Gas Works. Philadelphia. 8vo. — 

 From John C. Cresson, Esq. 



Rectification of Mr. T. A. Conrad's *' Synopsis of the Family of 

 Naiades of North America;" published in the Proceedings of the 



