188 



upon temperature made during his late expedition to tlie polar 

 regions, have been recently completed, and result in giving a 

 considerably lower mean temperature than was stated by him 

 in a previous communication to the Society. 



A discussion ensued upon the imperfections of thermometers 

 and their want of reliability when used to indicate extremes of 

 temperature, whatever may be their form of construction, or 

 the fluid with which their tubes are filled. 



On motion of Dr. F. Bache, Dr. C. W. Short was excused 

 from the duty of preparing an obituary notice of the late ]\Ir. 

 William Short. 



The Society proceeded to ballot for candidates for member- 

 ship, — and the ballot-boxes being afterwards opened by the 

 presiding officer, the following named gentlemen were declared 

 to be duly elected members of the Society: — 



Theo. Lacordaire, of Liege. 



Dr. Herman Burmeister, of Halle. 



Samuel L. Hollingsworth, M.D., of Philadelphia. 



Christian Olrick, of Denmark. 



Stated Meeting, May 2. 



Present, nine members. 



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



Letters were read: — 



From Dr. Samuel L. Hollingsworth, dated Philadelphia, 

 April 21, 1856, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his elec- 

 tion as a member of this Society: and — 



From J. A. Thomas, Assistant Secretary, dated Department 

 of State, WaS'hington, April 19, 1856, announcing a donation 

 for the library. 



The following donations were announced: — 



FOR THE library. 



Executive Documents, 2d Session of 33d Congress, 1854-5, 22 vols. 

 Senate Documents, „ „ 14 vols. 



Senate, Miscellaneous, „ „ 3 vols. 



