170 



was placed there merely for exliibition. It was one of three 

 belonging to a gentleman of this city, which had been mounted 

 by the taxidermist. It was the Magnificent Trogon, ( Oalurus 

 resplendens, Gould,) one of the most brilliant birds known, and 

 though it would not, perhaps, bear a minute comparison with some 

 of the humming-birds, yet, from its size and graceful plumage, it 

 must be unsurpassed as seen in its native wood. 



Dr. Bryant also remarked, that, in consequence of the 

 unusual mildness of the weather in February, the blue- 

 birds and other of the earlier migratory birds, made their 

 appearance this year by the 15th, nearly a month earlier 

 than they ordinarily arrive from the South ; and that, 

 although the weather had subsequently been quite 

 severe, (the thermometer falling to near zero,) the blue- 

 birds had remained with us, and were singing and ap- 

 parently enjoying themselves at this low temperature. 



In reply to a question from Mr, Wetherell, as to the 

 production of sugar from the Chinese Sugar-cane raised 

 in this neighborhood, Dr. Jackson stated that crystallized 

 sugar could not be profitably made, but that a syrup 

 suitable for food or distillation could be obtained. The 

 amount of crystallizable sugar in the plant increases the 

 farther south the plant is raised. Dr. Jackson has ob- 

 tained a certain quantity of crystallized sugar in the cane 

 grown at Watertown, Mass. 



Dr. Durkee exhibited the Algse brought from Califor- 

 nia, by Mr. Samuels, and Dr. Bryant exhibited some of 

 the birds which had been recently mounted. 



The Corresponding Secretary announced the receipt 

 of the following letters, viz : — 



From the Linnsean Society, London, Nov. 25, 1856, Entomo- 

 logical Society, London, Dec. 3, 1856, Geological Society, London, 

 Dec. 4, 1856, American Philosophical Society, March 13, 1857, 

 and the Societe de Geographic, Paris, Feb. 7, 1857, acknowl- 



