276 



with great difficulty. The flesh of the camel forms a palatable and 

 nourishing article of food, and its milk is as good for use as that of 

 the cow. 



The camels introduced into Texas by Major Wayne have done 

 well; only two having died of acclimatory disease since their introduc- 

 tion. He left Smyrna with thirty-three, of which number one died 

 on the passage. Six young ones were born during the voyage, of 

 which four died. The number landed was thirty-four, being one 

 more than were on board when the vessel left Smyrna. 



Major Wayne considers the climate and vegetation of Texas to be 

 as well adapted to the camel as those of Asia, and thinks the chief 

 inconvenience will be found in the scarcity of grain, particularly of 

 barley, a common food of the camel in the east. 



He then referred to some practical performances of the camels in 

 Texas, showing the advantages of their employment as beasts of bur- 

 den; and advanced arguments in favour of the opinion that, owing to 

 the expense and difficulties of constructing a rail road across the con- 

 tinent, either by the government or by individuals, the employment 

 of the camel must, for some time at least, be mainly relied upon as a 

 means of transportation. 



Prof. Frazer, after referring to the interesting and instruc- 

 tive nature of the communication just made by INIajor Wayne, 

 moved that the thanks of the Society be presented to him for 

 the remarks made by him this evening, on the introduction of 

 the camel into the United States; which motion was unani- 

 mously agreed to. 



Stated Meeting, November 20. 



Present, twenty-three members. 



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



A letter was read from Prof. Zantedeschi, dated Padua, Oct. 

 19, 1857, accompanying a communication "On tlie correlation 

 of chemical forces with the refrangibility of radiations.'' 



Also one from the Corporation of Yale College, dated New 

 Haven, Oct. 30^ 1857, acknowledging the receipt of No. 57, of 

 the Proceedings of this Societv. 



