58 TRANSACTIONS OF THE * [aPRIL 6, 



Pbof. W. p. Trowbridge read a paper 



ON THE TRIGONOMETRIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS OF THE UNITED 



STATES. 



(Illustrated with lantern views, and instruments employed in 

 the field). 



Prof. J, K. Eees exhibited and described the instruments 

 used iti geodetic work by the students in Geodesy in Columbia 

 College. 



April 6th, 1885. 



Regular Business Meeting. 



The President, Dr. J. S. Newberry, in the chair. 



Forty-five persons present. 



The report of the Council was adopted which recommended 

 the payment of bills and the following election : Mr Charles 

 P. Bonnett as a Resident Member. Mr. Bonnett was unani- 

 mously elected. 



Dr. O. p. Hubbard remarked upon the Sargasso Sea, of the 

 central Atlantic Ocean, and exhibited a fresh specimen of the 

 Gulf weed {Sargasswn hacciferum). He alluded to the golden 

 yellow color of the floating masses, and to similar accumula- 

 tions of Algae in the South Indian and Pacific Oceans. 



The President referred to the climatic conditions governing 

 the accumulation of these masses, the regions being areas of 

 calms ; and to the great amount of animal life existing upon the 

 Algse. 



Mr. George F. Kunz read a paper 



ON THE MINING AND CUTTING OP GEMS. 



(Blustrated with lantern views). 



The subject was discussed by Mr. Collingwood, Dr. Hub- 

 bard, Dr. Elliot and the President. 



