1882. 85 Trans. N. VY. Ac. Scz. 
age; in other words for the entire reach of geological history ; and we 
are compelled to infer that either the astronomers are mistaken in their 
views of the genesis of the moon, and that she never formed part of the 
earth’s mass, or that her separation and recession to near her present 
distance took place before the beginning of geological history. Certainly 
so much of the geological record as is now submitted to our inspection,. 
offers no evidence in confirmation of, but much that is diametrically 
opposed to, this high-tide speculation. 
COLUMBIA COLLEGE, NEW YORK, Fanuary 2nd, 1882. 
Mr. WM. EARL HIDDEN exhibited a remarkable and perhaps 
unique stone implement from North Carolina. Its form is that of a 
parallelogram of nearly a foot in length, and five inches in breadth. 
The lower face is slightly convex from end to end, and its upper face 
rises into a conical or pestle-shaped handle, some six inches high, at 
about the center. Dr. Newberry had suggested that its probable use 
was as acorn-muller. The specimen was plowed up in a field near 
Waynesville, Haywood Co., N. C., some three years ago, and has been 
in Mr. Hidden’s cabinet for over a year. The material isa very com- 
pact gneiss. 
THE PRESIDENT remarked further on this very singular implement, 
and repeated his belief that it was probably used to grind corn, upon 
a flat or concave stone, making comparison of it with other forms of 
mullers, etc., known to us from various parts of America. 
He also laid before the Academy some of the advance plates of the 
Paleontology of New York, prepared for the forthcoming volume by 
Professor Hall, and spoke of the great importance of a proper appro- 
priation by the Legislature for the completion of this noble monument 
to American science. There was danger that much of this carefully 
prepared material might fail of publication, and be lost to science, by 
a mistaken and unworthy policy of ‘‘economy,” aid he sugg:sted 
that the Academy might, with great propriety, memorialize the Legisla- 
ture on this subject. 
Other remarks were made, in the same spirit ; and it was voted that 
the President and Secretary be constituted a committee to express the 
views of the Academy in the direction indicated. 
January 16th, 1882. 
SECTION OF PHysICS AND ASTRONOMY. 
The President, Dr. NEWBERRY, in the Chair. 
Twenty-seven persons present. 
Prof. JOHN K. Rees read the following paper: 
