Trans. N. Y. Ac. Sci. 104 Fune 2, 
A paper was then presented by Dr. J. S. NEwBErRRY, illustrated 
by drawings and lantern views, 
ON THE ORIGIN OF PUGET SOUND, AND ITS CONNECTED SYSTEM 
OF TIDEWAYS. 
June 2, 1884. 
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING. 
The President, Dr. J. S. NEWBERRY, in the Chair. 
Fifty-seven persons were present. 
It was voted to adjourn the business meeting to June 9, in order 
to act on business to be proposed by the Council. 
The PRESIDENT exhibited specimens of crocidolite from South 
Africa, of native iron in basalt, from Greenland, and of fossil star 
fishes from the Devonian of Europe. 
Mr. G. F. Kunz stated that the crocidolite had originally the 
hardness of 4 or 5, but the individual fibres of crocidolite have 
been all encased or coated with ferruginous quartz, making the 
hardness of the mineral about 7—virtually a quartz-catseye. Mr. 
Grecory, of London, first worked the vein in the year 1866. 
The mineral being in some demand, two expeditions had been sent 
to procure it, and in consequence the locality had been well exam- 
ined, and tons of the material procured, This resulted in the loss 
of many thousands of dollars by the dealers, who invested largely 
in it at six dollars per karat. It is now sold at twenty-five cents 
per pound in quantity. 
The PresIDENT remarked on the character of the alteration, 
which had been accompanied by an increase in the amount of 
silica and the addition of water. He then exhibited specimens of 
realgar from Felsobanya, Hungary, of square prisms of humboldt- 
ilite, in slag, and of spines of Gyracanthus tuberculatus (?) Ag., 
from the Coal-measures at Lesmahagow, Scotland. 
Mr, G. F, Kunz then exhibited a collection of gems, some from 
the famous Poniatowski collection, which had been offered for 
sale as veritable antiques in the London market. He also dis- 
