1866.] 73 [Brigham. 



discovery in May last. Specimens obtained from Dr. Walbaum of 

 Bahia, and brought to this country by Mr. Sceva, were exhibited by 

 Dr. White. 



Mr. W. T. Brigham presented a dried specimen of the 

 male blossom stalk of the date palm, taken from a tree 

 twelve years old, and measuring eighteen feet to the base of 

 the leaves. This tree produced eight other blossoms, and 

 the flowerets on each scape were between eight to nine thou- 

 sand. The outer envelope is quite hard and fibrous, splits 

 into two nearly equal parts, and is persistent ; when fresh it 

 exhales a strong odor of rosewood. 



He also exhibited an ancient Hawaiian stone adze, of a 

 peciiliar shape, presented recently by the Rev. Edw. John- 

 son. These adzes were in universal use in ancient times, and 

 even now the old natives prefer them in finishing the inte- 

 rior of canoes, cutting with them a delicate shaving from 

 hard wood. The material of the adze exhibited was a com- 

 pact lava found on Mauna Kea at an altitude of more than 

 ten thousand feet, and this specimen had been split out and 

 rubbed to an edge without any iron tools. 



On motion of Dr. J. C. White, the following Resolutions 

 were passed : — 



Resolved, That the Boston Society of Natural History recognizes, 

 and would express its grateful appreciation of, the great value of the 

 gift made by Mr. George Peabody to Harvard University for the 

 foundation of a Museum and Professorshiji of American Archseology 

 and Ethnology, and the advantage which Is sure to follow from Its 

 wise provisions to the interests of natural science in this country. 



Resolved, Also, that it acknowledges with pleasure the recognition 

 on the part of Mr. Peabody of the relation of the Society to this Im- 

 portant department of Natural History in the selection of Its President, 

 Jefl'ries Wyman, M. D., as one of the trustees and directors of this 

 munificent endowment. 



The Secretary was instructed to send a copy of these 

 Resolutions to Mr. Peabody. 



The President stated that while American Archaeology 

 was specially mentioned in the foundation of Mr. Peabody, 



