440 THE CANADIAN NATtHALlST. [DeC. 



the mercury ia the barometer was an inch lower than the average. 



Dr. Smallwood gave a description of peculiar phenomena ob- 

 served in the heavens before and after the earthquake. Among 

 these were noticed several clusters of spots on the sun's disc in con- 

 nection with peculiar auroral displays. He exhibited diagrams 

 shewing the barometrical and thermometrical appearances pre- 

 sented before and during the shock. During the continuance of 

 the vibration the descent of the mercury was most marked in this 

 respect, confirming Dr. Dawson's view. From telegrams received 

 by the courtesy of Mr. Dakers it would appear that the first 

 shock was observed at Owen Sound, at 10.52 a. m. local time, 

 and the latest at St. John's, N. B., at 11.45 a. m. local time. 

 Accounts were received also from Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, and 

 intermediate places. Judging from the telegrams received, the 

 extent of the vibration thus recorded would appear to have been 

 from S. W. to N. E., and the shock to have occupied fifty-three 

 minutes of time in traversing the 840 miles, without calculating for 

 the difi"erence of longtitude between the places. This would give 

 a rate of about sixteen miles per minute, but if the differences of 

 longtitude were calculated, the rate would be about thirty-two 

 miles per minute. This last estimate agrees nearly with that 

 given by Humbolt and Mallet. The width or amplitude of the 

 vibration, judging only by telegrams received by the speaker 

 would appear to have been some 340 miles. After remarks by 

 several members, the meeting adjourned. 



2nd Monthly Meeting, held November 28th, 1870, Principal 

 Dawson in the chair. Messrs. G. T. Kennedy, B. A. and M. H. 

 Brissette were elected members of the Society. Mr. Gordon 

 Broome, F. G. S., read a paper on Canadian Phosphates with 

 special reference to their economic value. The essay will le found 

 at pages 241-163 of the present volume. 



At the conclusion of the paper, Dr. Hunt, Mr. Macfarlane and 

 Dr. Dawson made comments upon the subject. 



Dr. Hunt read a paper by Mr. Kinahan, of the Irish Ger- 

 logical Survey, on the Origin of Granite. A paper on Fora- 

 minifera from the River and Gulf of St. Lawrence, by G. M. 

 Dawson, was presented by the Secretary. Dr. Smallwood read 

 one on the coming eclipse, and Dr. Dawson made some remarks 

 upon the recent earthquake. 



Dr. Hunt, Vice-President of the Society then referred in a 

 feeling manner to the loss sustained by science in Canada, and by 



