56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [DEC. 9, 



of its length, from sand and rubbish that now obstruct it, to 

 cause the Eaiyan-Moeris basin to be filled at high Nile, and thus 

 to constitute a great storage reservoir for the irrigation of the 

 surrounding country during the dry season. This enterprise he 

 had been urging upon the Egyptian government for some time, 

 during his residence and exploration in that country ; but the 

 unsettled state of affairs had thus far prevented. He felt 

 certain, however, that the question is merely one of time, and 

 that this important improvement would ere long be undertaken 

 and easily carried to a successful issue. 



The lecture was illustrated with j^hotographic projections of 

 numerous maps, representing the history of Egyptian carto- 

 graphy and the various locations assigned by different authors 

 and explorers to Lake Moeris, as also with views of the region 

 more jjarticularly described in connection with the project of 

 Mr. Whitehouse. 



The President spoke in high terms of the interest and im- 

 portance of the scheme projDOsed in the lecture, and of the great 

 zeal and enthusiasm shown by Mr. Whitehouse in its advocacy. 

 Such an enterprise' would be of incalculable benefit to the land 

 of Egypt, and would entjtle its projector to a place among the 

 benefactors of mankind. 



A vote of thanks was proposed to Mr. Whitehouse for his 

 scholarly and valuable lecture, and passed unanimously. 



December 9, 1889. 



Stated Meeting. 



The President, Dr. Newberry, in the chair. 



Forty-three persons present. 



The Librarian, Dr. Britton, made a report of progress, and 

 read a list of 185 societies and institutions now exchanging 

 publications with the Academy. 



The subject for the evening was a conference upon Forestry, 



