162 



He stated also that he had analyzed a mineral, which 

 Prof. Hitchcock had found among some minerals which he 

 collected in Worcester county, though he did not know in 

 what town it occurred. 



Prof. H. supposed it to be Yttrocerite, from its resemblance to 

 specimens received from Mr. Tamnau, of Berlin, and from some 

 tests he had applied. This mineral does not agree exactly with 

 the description of the foreign Yttrocerite, although it contains the 

 Fluorides of Yttria and Cerium. Dr. J. thinks it may have been 

 obtained in Bolton or Boxborough. Analyses of these minerals 

 will be communicated to the Society at a future meeting. 



Dr. J. also remarked that he had been engaged in the ex- 

 amination of the composition of Red Cedar (Jiiniperas Vir- 

 ginia?ia), with a view to ascertain the nature of its anti- 

 septic properties. 



He had discovered in it a peculiar red coloring matter of a resi- 

 nous nature, combined with a peculiar oil and tannin. This pe- 

 culiar matter can be extracted by means of boiling alcohol, and 

 may then be infused into other kinds of wood, to which it would 

 probably communicate its antiseptic properties, and would render 

 cabinets and boxes thus imbued with it, free from the attacks of 

 moths and other insects. He proposes also to examine the anti- 

 septic principle in the Locust and other trees. It is remarkable 

 that no researches have hitherto been made in this important sub- 

 ject, which can only be properly investigated by chemists. 



Dr. ShurtlefT, in behalf of the committee for procuring a 

 suitable apparatus for destroying, by means of heat, in- 

 sects pernicious to the collections, reported that they had 

 procured an apparatus, which, on trial, was found to an- 

 swer the purpose perfectly. 



The thanks of the Society were voted to Dr. ShurtlefT, 

 to whose invention and supervision the Society feels much 

 indebted. 



ADDITIONS TO THE CABINET. 



A box of valuable Brazilian Insects, from Dr. R. J. Dodd, U. S. N. 



Specimens of various species of wood, with leaves, fruit, &c, 



about 60 species, from the Sandwich Islands, from Jos. P. Couthouy. 



