151 



a large scale. Prof. Booth expresses to us the clear conviction, that 

 inasmuch as sodium, which forms the basis of the manufacture of 

 aluminum, can be made at a comparatively low price, perhaps fifty 

 cents a pound, the metal in question will eventually be sold at nearly 

 or quite the same rate. Such a consummation would be likely to 

 open the way for withdrawing the copper cent from our currency, 

 and substituting for it a light and cleanly coin of the new metal. In 

 the mean time, it will be w^iseto wait until it has been found useful for 

 other purposes; for nothing will be acceptable as coin, unless it be 

 good for something else. 



Judge Kane mentioned, for the information of the Society, 

 that Dr. E. K. Kane returned, on last Thursday, from his expe- 

 dition to the Arctic regions, having mapped out his discoveries 

 as far as north latitude 82° 30'. He had hoped for Dr. Kane's 

 attendance with the Society this evening; but this had been ac- 

 cidentally prevented. 



Mr. Justice and Mr. Lea described the appearance of the 

 aurora borealis on Thursday evening last, as observed by 

 them, — and general remarks on the subject were made by Prof. 

 Frazer, Dr. Boye and others. 



The Secretary reported that he had responded to the letter 

 from the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, as direct- 

 ed at the last meeting. 



The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the 

 meeting, the balloting for candidates for membership. 



All other business having been concluded, the ballot boxes 

 were opened by the presiding officer, and the Rev. Albert 

 Barnes, of Philadelphia, was declared to be duly elected a 

 member of the Society. 



Stated Meeting, November 2. 



Present, twenty-two members. 



Dr. DuNGLisoN, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



A letter was read: — 



From the Rev. Albert Barnes, dated Philadelphia, Oct. 23, 

 1855, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a 

 member of the Society. 



