166 TRANS. OF THE N. Y. ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. [AUG. 15- 



has seemed as if, although the material might exist, it would be 

 impossible to have art so assist uature as to show all its beauties. 



After many attempts both here and abroad, the task of polish- 

 ing such large sections was about given up; but American in- 

 genuity and perseverance have at last conquered this hard ma- 

 terial, and we have here to-day the finest sections of silicified 

 trees that have ever been seen — finest not only for their beauty 

 of coloring and polish, but also for their large size. 



The following objects are exhibited: One column cut trans- 

 versely across the tree, so that tlie heart is visible on two sides 

 of the column, the rings radiating from it in all directions. It 

 is 11|^ inches wide and 21 inches high, and is a most remarkable 

 piece of lapidary work. Five sections, measuring 25, 19^, 24, 

 17^, and 13 inches respectively in diameter, with such a high 

 polish that when turned with the back toward the light a per- 

 fect mirror is formed. The color of all is unsurpassed. They 

 were cut by a gang of seven saws, and polished on wheels 14 

 feet in diameter, at Sioux Falls, Dakota, the power being fur- 

 nished by water from the falls. 



Mr. Kunz also showed a cast of the meteorite from Cabin 

 Creek, Arkansas, which he had exhibited and described at the 

 meeting of May 9th, 1887. He stated that this meteorite had 

 been sent to the National Museum, and under the careful super- 

 vision of Prof. F. "W. Clarke a most perfect cast had been made. 

 So perfect is the copy that, in appearance, it is scarcely distin- 

 guishable from the original. 



The President announced that, following adjournment, the 

 Academy would give a reception in honor of the American Asso- 

 ciation for the Advancement of Science, and that a collation 

 would be served in the basement of the building. 



The Secretary made some announcements in behalf of the- 

 American Association. 



Adjourned to the first Monday evening in October. 



