384 



Robert Howell, proposing an exchange of fossils for a 

 copy of the Society's Journal. The subject was referred 

 to the Curator of Geology. 



Dr. Kneeland announced a bequest, by the late presi- 

 dent, of a skeleton of a Chimpanzee, an incomplete set 

 of the bones of a Dromedary, and a number of casts of 

 remains of the Iguanodon, Dinornis, Hylaeosaurus, Gavial, 

 and Zeuglodon, and the lower jaw of a Mastodon. 



A collection of Birds and Reptiles, sent by JVIr. Sam- 

 uels from California, was exhibited, and a sixth letter 

 from Mr. S. read to the Society. A letter from Prof. 

 Baird, of Washington, and a list of the specimens, also 

 accompanied the collection. 



Mr. Sprague exhibited a brush, made of the fibres of 

 the Mexican Aloe, a material apparently capable of 

 replacing the bristles commonly used in the manufacture 

 of brushes. 



Mr. N. H. Bishop presented several crystals taken 

 from the surface of the earth in South America. 



The Secretary stated that he had made a hasty quali- 

 tative chemical examination of them, and had found 

 them to be composed of Sulphate of Soda and Sulphate 

 of Magnesia, with a trace of Chlorine. 



The specimens were referred to Dr. A. A. Hayes for a 

 thorough analysis. 



The Corresponding Secretary announced the reception 

 of the following letters, viz : — 



From the Smithsonian Institution, February IG and March 

 11 ; — Western Academy of Natural Sciences, February 12 ; — 

 Geological Society, London, November 22, 1855; — Entomo- 

 logical Society, London, December 5, 1855, acknowledging the 

 receipt of the Proceedings of the Society ; — Der Verein fiir 

 vaterliindische Naturkunde in Wurtemberg, December 29, 1855, 



