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rule, two members are appointed in addition to the speaker to 
lead in the discussion of the paper. 
The speakers and subjects for the entire year have been 
made out and a folder will be published containing this and other 
information. 
The meetings thus far have been marked with interest and 
three valuable papers have been delivered. 
At the November meeting, the chairman, Prof. Philip F. 
Schneider, gave a brief outline of the work already accomplished 
in this vicinity, and told of the problems still remaining for inves- 
- tigation. 
At the December meeting Mr. C. E. Wheelock read a paper 
entitled, ““The Marl and Tufa Deposits of Onondaga.” It was 
an interesting account of the manner in which these deposits are 
formed, together with the location of the more important depos- 
its. The speaker suggested the possibility of the deposits, espec- 
ially those at an altitude of about 440 feet, being formed in lakes 
formed by the drying up of Lake Iroquois. 
At the January meeting Prof. E. N. Pattee rece on the 
“Tron Ore Deposits of the Salina and other Formations.” The 
fact was emphasized that although many of the formations con- 
tain more or less iron, it did not occur in quantities sufficient to 
make it commercially valuable at present. In the early history of 
the county, the bog-iron ore was obtained in the valley, and 
smelted at Muggles Furnace at Elmwood. 
The present officers are Philip F. Schneider, chairman; 
Charles E. Wheelock recorder. 
REPORT OF THE BOTANICAL, SECTION. 
Read by Mrs. L. L. Goodrich, chairman of the section. 
One year has passed since our last annual meeting, and the 
ever natural question faces us, What have we accomplished? I 
am pleased to state that the Botanical section has not lain dor- 
mant and notwithstanding the summer’s drouth, think we have 
accomplished more than during the previous year. 
We commenced the season’s excursions in search of trailing 
arbutus. 
