273 



this is the first specimen known to have been obtained in 

 Massachusetts. 



Dr. Freeman J. Bumstead, of New York, was elected a 

 Corresponding Member. 



November' 21, 1855. 

 ^ The President in the Chair. 



Present by invitation, Prof. G. Gajani, of Rome. 

 The following letter was read to the Society. 



Dijon, France, September 5, 1855. 

 To the President of the Boston Natural History Society : 



I have learned by the Boston Daily Evening Traveller, sent 

 me by a friend, that the'Report of M. Elie de Beaumont, on my 

 " Researches on Earthquakes," was the subject of discussion at 

 one of the meetings of the Society over which you preside. 

 That I have a great desire to see the report of this discussion, 

 you can readily imagine. I therefore do not hesitate to request 

 you to send me the numbers of your " Proceedings," containing 

 these articles. 



The Geological Societies of Paris and London, wishing to give 

 me a proof of their willingness to aid me in forming a collection 

 which I am endeavoring to make, have given me, from their 

 memoirs, all the articles relating to Earthquakes and Volcanic 

 Phenomena. May I hope that you will follow their example, 

 and accede to my request ? If your colleague, Mr. Stodder, 

 would send me a copy of his memoir on the " Changes of the 

 Surface of the Earth," I should be very grateful. 



Accept, Sir, my thanks in advance, and the assurance of my 

 most respectful consideration. 



(Signed,) Alexis Perrey. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H. VOL. V. 18 JANUARY, 1856. 



