PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 105 



It is my intention to supply you a full suite of the mollusca of our 

 islands, including typical specimens of those described by myself, and 

 also one to Mr. Cumings, of London, whose collection I learn from 

 Dr. Gray will be eventually added to the British Museum. 



I venture to ask of you an addition to my library, of the Reports 

 of the Smithsonian Institution. I have purchased the "Contributions 

 to Knowledge," but the Reports are not on our islands. One in par- 

 ticular I am wanting, which I learn contains a catalogue of transac- 

 tions or proceedings of scientific societies ; also a few copies, say half 

 a dozen, of the Check List of the shells of North America, published 

 by the Institution. Should you be pleased to furnish me the above,^ be 

 so good as to forward them to Bailliere Brothers, New York city, 

 who send me a box of books every few months. 



I have been attempting to invent a simple apparatus for the meas- 

 urement of the tides at our islands, but do not succeed very well. 

 Natives cannot be depended on for watching any such instrument. 

 It should be self-registering. I am satisfied that a register of winds 

 should be kept in connexion with it, and perhaps also a barometrical 

 one. If you take any interest in such researches I would be pleased 

 to hear from you in regard to them as to assistance or advice. 

 I remain 3'Ours truly, 



W. H. PEASE. 



Professor Joseph Henry, 



Smithsonian Institution. 



[Note. — Dr. Bache, of the Coast Survey, has lent Mr. Pease a 

 tide-gauge on the responsibility of this Institution.] 



Circular of the Institute of Rupert's Land, 



Assiniboia, February, 1862. 



We announce this institute to the public, knowing our many disad- 

 vantages, but still with a lively hope that our labors will be rewarded 

 with some good results. Our numbers are small; but we have among 

 us many who will devote the greater part of their time to collecting 

 and observing, and these, with their admirable opportunities, cannot 

 fail to accomplish much good work. Already we have the nucleus of 

 a library. Specimens are coming in faster than we can take care of 

 them. Necessaries for collecting and observing are being distributed 

 and communications have been received. 



We will shortly be presented with =£150, by the friends and admi- 

 rers of Sir George Simpson, for the purchase of a "Simpson" Tele- 

 scope, and £QQ from the friends of the late much esteemed Dr. Bunn, 

 for the purchase of achromatic microscopes. And now, with this 

 commencement, we feel the right, and do ask for countenance and 

 assistance from scientiiic men and societies in all countries, promising, 

 in return, all that energy and zeal can do in the cause of science. 



A prospectus accompanies this circular, giving all the necessary 

 information, and we would ask communications from all to whom those 



