SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 357 



The following resolutions on the death of Prof. Charles Wachsmuth 

 of Burlington, Iowa, were read and adopted : 



Resolved, That the Academy has heard with profound regret of the death 

 of Prof. Charles Wachsmuth, an honored member of this Academy and a 

 valued contributor to its Proceedings. It is fitting that, while we record 

 our sense of the loss we have sustained, we should express our appreciation 

 of the great work he has wrought tor science in the particular department 

 to which he devoted his life — a work accepted at home and recognized 

 abroad by naturalists engaged in the same and similar research, as one of 

 the most important \w the history of geological and palaeontological investi- 

 gation. As we call to mind the amount of conscientious labor he performed 

 through a score of years, we wonder how it could have been accomplished, 

 while so often battling with bodily suffering, his iron will, with cheerful for- 

 titude, rising superior to physical infirmity and nerving him to fresh devo- 

 tion to his work. We may note as a marked characteristic of this student 

 of nature that the treasures he gathered at such vital cost to himself were 

 distributed freely and generously to others. All were encouraged to come 

 to him for assistance. His work accomplished, he passed quietly away, in 

 the very locality whose surroundings had first awakened his early enthusi- 

 asm. Remembering the happiness of his home, with his affectionate and 

 devoted wife, fit sharer in his labors and encourager of his work, we extend 

 to her our warmest sympathy in her great afiliction. 



Resolved, That these resolutions be recorded in the minutes and that 

 copies be sent to the family of the deceased and to the press. 



W. H. Barris, 

 C. H. Preston, 



*Conim.ittee. 



Mrs. W. F. Peck, Mrs. C. A. Ficke and Mr. Emil Gei.sler were 

 elected to regular membership. 



Observer Walz delivered an interesting lecture, illustrated by charts, 

 on the work of the U. S. Weather Bureau. 



March 2y,i8g6. — -Regular Meeting. 



President Hammatt in the chair; seven members present. 



The Curator reported the donation to the museum by Mr. A. F. 

 Mast of some historical relics, viz : Two appointments of the donor to 

 the ofifice of deputy postmaster of Davenport ; the first signed by Pres- 

 ident Pierce in 1856, and the second by President Buchanan in r86o, 

 both stamped with the seal of the United States. 



The donation from Dr. Clarence B. Moore, of the columella of a 

 large conch shell worked into marketable shape, was also reported. 

 Such worked shells are sometimes found in Florida mounds, but not, 

 the donor believes, in those of Iowa. 



[Proo. D. a. N. 8., Vol. VI.] 45 [February 23, 1897.] 



