1893.] " 



Stated Meeting^ January 20^ 1893. 

 Mr. Richard Vaux in the Chair. 



Dr. Francis X. Dercum, a lately elected member, was pre- 

 sented to the Chair and took his seat. 



Correspondence was submitted as follows : 



A circular from the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, 

 Italy, announcing its offer of the Ninth Bressa Prize, to be 

 given to the author or inventor who shall have made the most 

 important and useful discovery, or published the most valu- 

 able work, on Science, Natural History, Chemistry, etc., etc., 

 during the years 1891-94. 



A letter from the New York State Library, Albany, asking 

 the Society to exhibit a complete set of its publications at the 

 Columbian Celebration, the same to become the property of 

 the State Library when the celebration is over. 



The following letter from the Academy of Natural Sciences 

 of Philadelphia, in relation to the Keating- Poinsett collection 

 of Aztec handworks deposited by the American Philosophi- 

 cal Society, which, on motion, was referred to the Curators. 



Philadelphia, .January 19, 1893. 

 Mr. Henry Phillips, Jr., 



Secretary of the American Philosophical Society : 



Bear Sir: — I have the honor to inform you that your communication of 

 the 16tli ult., regarding the custody of the Keating-Poinsett collection of 

 Aztec objects, having been referred for consideration to the Curators of the 

 Academy, the following report was received by the Academy at the meet- 

 ing of the 17th inst., and a copy was ordered to be sent to you in reply to 

 your letter of inquiry : 



"The Curators, to whom has been referred a communication from the 

 American Philosophical Society, dated December 16, 1892, and addressed 

 to the President and members of the Academy, in reference to the reten- 

 tion of the Poinsett Collection of Aztec handworks deposited in the 

 Academy several years ago, respectfully report : 



"Although all the specimens of the Poinsett Collection are artificial, 

 and therefore not absolutely within the scope of the Academy's chief pur- 

 pose, which is the study of natural objects, it is considered desirable that 



